Thread: Honing problem.

I've had a couple of ERN's, and mine have been first class shavers. I used my normal progression - set the bevel on a 1k and progressed from there. For some that was BBW/coti, for others nani 5 and 8.

I would say +1 to trying out your next finest hone to see what that does. I don't have any calibrated tests for hones under 1k because... well because I have much more experience on a 1k than below it and I know what I want a blade off the 1k to do.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Check out this video of Lynn honing at a recent get together and follow his procedure shown in the video here. Start at your 1k naniwa.

Ok, did the circles thing and the result is an uneven bevel, probably because I'm not keeping the blade straight on the hone but on the other hand got some improvement on both ends of the edge, but just a little, still seems overhoned like in very thin, but pops some hair. Not as worst as in the large middle section.

Originally Posted by yoshida

before the bevel is right it gets overhoned as strange as that may seem. It's like: it's dull and do 2 or 3 more laps and bam-> overhoned

1. Are you taping the spine? If not Just keep honing it until your spine-bevel is even, then progress up to the next stone in your usual progression.

2. If you're taping the spine then do the marker test on the edge-bevel to see if it is hitting all of the areas after a couple of strokes on each side.

With 1 or 2, it should pass the either of the thubnail tests. Dragging edge across and grabbing or setting the edge on thumbnail and lowering thumbnail down creating a more obtuse angle relative to the tip of the thumb & a more acute angle with the closest knuckle of your thumb.

Try a 800 or 1000 grit sandpaper on a flat surface if those don't work.

If I have a rough one, I'll start with a carb stone which is probably some 500 grit (US system) > 1000 japanese > 6000 japanese > green stone (slightly lower than barber hone) > barber hone (swaty), 1μm Diamond paste then smooth strop. Passes HHT everytime.

2knives

Originally Posted by yoshida

Ok, did the circles thing and the result is an uneven bevel, probably because I'm not keeping the blade straight on the hone but on the other hand got some improvement on both ends of the edge, but just a little, still seems overhoned like in very thin, but pops some hair. Not as worst as in the large middle section.

If you do circles followed by 10-15 X strokes, it should not be possible to develop a wire edge. Uneven wear can be the result of uneven pressure or more contact on one part of the razor as compared to another, but it also happens if the razor previously had an uneven edge or uneven grind. Uneven wear can indicate a problem with your honing, but doesn't necessarily.

Originally Posted by 2knives

1. Are you taping the spine? If not Just keep honing it until your spine-bevel is even, then progress up to the next stone in your usual progression.

I strongly disagree with 1. I have found that even wear has nothing to do with a properly set bevel. I have blades with uneven wear and great edges, uneven wear and bad edges, even wear and great edges, and even wear and bad edges. If you really wanted to, you could continue to hone all your razors until the spine wear is even, but there is no reason to do so (and you won't always get even bevels either, as the bevels do not always match the spine wear).

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I have found that even wear has nothing to do with a properly set bevel. I have blades with uneven wear and great edges, uneven wear and bad edges, even wear and great edges, and even wear and bad edges. If you really wanted to, you could continue to hone all your razors until the spine wear is even, but there is no reason to do so (and you won't always get even bevels either, as the bevels do not always match the spine wear).

+1 I've come to the same conclusion as holli4 on the bevel.

The marker test is good to see if your x strokes are making full contact with the edge. If not sometimes a 45 degree heel leading angle works, as Lynn suggests, or a rolling x in extreme cases.

Thanks for the advices, I'll hone over the weekend, today 12 hours at work, (not honing related), and counting. I'll get to be an expert at honing soon, or not!! eheh auugghhh, just tired...

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I strongly disagree with 1. I have found that even wear has nothing to do with a properly set bevel. I have blades with uneven wear and great edges, uneven wear and bad edges, even wear and great edges, and even wear and bad edges. If you really wanted to, you could continue to hone all your razors until the spine wear is even, but there is no reason to do so (and you won't always get even bevels either, as the bevels do not always match the spine wear).

You make a very good point Holli4pirating. In most cases I have had a good experience with matching the bevels up; however, you are right about that.