Thread: New Ti 5/8, how much honing should it take?

I'm still not impressed with expierences I've heard here reguarding the TI's. They have been a reoccuring theme, so we cant say it's the fluke one off razor.

Ok, Ok.. I know some one is going to say "you have to hone every new razor"... but at what point does the general "touch up" stop being the expected factory edge and become more labor intensive than it should be?

If I pay 10-15%(on the "cheaper" TI's) more for a razor than I could have for it's comeptition I expect to get a little more. Espicially on the "fit and finish" end of things. If I have to work out the grindins in the edge then create a sharp edge to even shave with, it should be the 'economy' razor not the cream of the crop.

Hi Tony:

Welcome to the forum. Your experience is similar to mine. I too got a new TI 6/8 and it was not shave ready out of the box. It actually had a 2 mil (1/1000") nick in the edge when I got it.

It took me a lot of practice (8 hours) on the hone before I got a smooth shave. I got great advice from the guys here. In the end it was all in the stroke.

I now tend to use slight pressure to keep the blade flat. However, I am still learning and will probably mature to just the blade pressure later on in life.

As far as pressure on the strop I am not sure about using a lot. I have two razors that do not exhibit any noticeable drag until a LOT of pressure is used. So much so that I don't feel comfortable applying it. I just stop them with light pressure and with practically no drag.

They also happen to be my favorite shavers: a 7/8 W&B and a Pierre Thiers collectable. I know they are my favorites because I am always happy when they come up in the rotation.

My original TI 6/8 is a great shaver too but does exhibit drag on the strop with little pressure. So go figure.

I think that every razor has its own personality and it is up to you to find its handling preference.

I'm not sure where my honing would have gone wrong. I followed the pyramid keeping the edge and the spine completely flat (something I was obsessed about) and moving slowly, only using the weight of the blade for pressure. After every sequence I checked the edge for improvement and for any burr that may be forming on my thumb nail. Through the stages the blade has slowly improved and I have never felt a burr at any stage. If I have over-honed I'm not sure how or at what staged it may have occured.
When I first recieved the razor, the edge would remove some of the hair on my arm and slide over some others. The hair that it did cut seemed to be more or less ripped than cut cleanly. This is why I decided to try a few sequences on the pyramid for an almost keen razor.
Randy says use some pressure on the blade when honing and Lynn says to never use any pressure when honing or stropping. I'm a bit confused on how to proceed...I'm gonna have to ponder this one.

When you start to use pressure, you start getting edges that are honed more in one spot than another, larger bevels in addition to worn down spines. I will only hone a razor for a few minutes a night and then test shave and come back to it the next day. Hours spent on one razor honing is not a good ting. The most important thing though is to relax and enjoy. Have fun with it. Tis not an exact science. Lynn

If you have been getting improvement of your blade continue with what your doing. Little to no pressure is important as you get closer. Sometimes a blade just won't seem to get moving without a touch of pressure. You can use it and it won't hurt the razor too much but if your close to a good edge I think we would all agree not to use pressure. Lynn and Randy both can hone a razor just by looking at it. You probably won't get a razor really keen with pressure. A dulling razor though is probably getting honed poorly. Sounds like you understand the process pretty well. You may just need patience. Stick with it, if the razor is close continue without using pressure. When you have a very dull razor a little pressure can save you a lot of wasted time. If all else fails just repost later.

Thanks guys, I believe I'm going to take the "less is more" approach and just keep at it. Thanks for all the great input you guys have given me. I'll get it there sooner or later! Thanks! -Tony

Its hard to give exact advise because honing is an inexact science. Every razor requires a different approach and especially new ones. Its all a matter of feel and experience. Personally as a newbie I would have sent it out for initial honing. I have about 6 TIs and I've gotton them shave ready almost shave ready reasonably good shavers poor shavers and not shaving at all so as you can see depending on how it shaves it takes a different approach.

If it shaves but pulls a little you shouldn't even need to use the 4K. the 8K should do it for you. Like all the others have said, the weight of the blade is all you need, no pressure and ensure the razor stays flat on the hone. If it shaves poorly or not at all then you need to visit the 4K but go slowly and don't overdo it.

Originally Posted by Kelly

I'm still not impressed with expierences I've heard here reguarding the TI's. They have been a reoccuring theme, so we cant say it's the fluke one off razor. .........
If I have to work out the grindins in the edge then create a sharp edge to even shave with, it should be the 'economy' razor not the cream of the crop.

i agree with you, but i will say that the only razor i have purchased that was shave ready was a ti 7/8. probably a good grinder with no hangover that day. i do have a VERY expensive ti piece with an uneven bevel grind and it is giving me fits.

The most confusing thing for a newbie is the pressure used on the razor. It must have SOME pressure to hold the razor down, the question is only how much is enough. I think Randy was measuring presure on the kitchen scale, but can't remember the numbers... The thing when honing is that you suddenly "feel" the edge is going right. At least it was for me. When I was begining my honing experience (or when honing dull razor) it felt like I was honing on glass, not cuting anything, and without resistance. Tis the best I can describe the feeling...

Nenad

My LE SRP TI was not even close to being shave ready. It has required three trips to the hone's and paste to get it acceptable.

Originally Posted by adjustme69

I honed 6 new TI's this week and have done hundreds. I would never recommend 15 strokes on the 4K side of the Norton on a new one. Way too much!! I would never start out with more than 5 strokes. Normally 3. Less strokes are always better. Good Luck. Lynn