Thread: Where to start?

I realize this is a difficult question to answer via the internet, but here goes..

I've got a nice little Bowdin's Wedge that I wish to make shave ready. I've been inspecting the bevel with a 10x eye loupe, and the bevels are there, and equal from side to side, but the edge needs honing.
I have Naniwa Superstones 2K, 5K, 8K and 12K. My thinking is that this razor does not need the 2K at all, because I don't believe the edge is that far off. I'm not even certain it needs the 5K, but I assume it's a good place to start until it feels right on the thumbnail, and then refine with the 8K and 12K?
Should I then use the pyramid, or finish my work with the 8K and then polish with the 12K?

Any and all advice appreciated..

Just curious but will it shave arm hair touching the skin as it is ? If it will can you pop arm hair without touching the skin ? If it will pop hair you're lucky and it might come to life on the 12k. If it won't pop hair but will shave arm hair touching the skin go with the 5/8 and try a pyramid progression and TPT and see if it will shave arm hair touching the skin midway or so through and every so often along the way. I like to test the blade with something other than the TNT to start with. If it is already sharp the TNT won't do it any good. So first I try shaving hair and TPT.

If it won't shave arm hair try a TNT and see if it will grab all along the length of the blade. If not I would go from square one with circles and x strokes on the 2k until it gives a good TNT. Once it does do another 10 x strokes and see if it will shave arm hair. Once it will do that go up the ladder with 5/8 pyramids from there to the point where it pops arm hair and then if you want either strop and shave to see if it is truly "there" or go on to the 12k. There are other procedures but that would be mine. Marker test to start goes without saying.

If you are smart, you will do as Jimmy has described, this will take from the fundamentals up the ladder to a good finish.

Blackntan
Put a red Sharpie to the bevel and put it on your 5k. 2-3 strokes and look at the edge under the loupe. Is the hone ware even at the edge? Is it hitting the edge all the way down the blade evenly… on both sides?

If it is, then lap on the 5k then work up. Re apply the Sharpie and keep checking for even bevel.

On every razor I hone, I tape and sharpie first to find out “quickly” what is going on and what it needs. I like RED, it jumps right out at you, Black can look like a shadow.

Especially when you start out you need feed back. The Sharpie will give you that.

My first razor was a Bowdin Blue in pearl ice, and still is one of my favorite “go to” shavers 35 + years later.

Marty

Thanks to everyone for the great advice... It helps me alot!

The razor will barely shave arm hair laying flat, so I'll do as suggested and start with the 2K until it does, then go to the pyramids.

It's a rainy day today, so it's a good day for this project!

Thanks again for all the help.

Update!!

It's a rainy morning, so I devoted it to getting this little wedge in shave readiness..

I'm pretty stoked!
I did exactly as Jimmy and everyone else suggested... Started on the 2K. I didn't do circles, because I don't know how to do them yet. I just concentrated on X strokes.
Stayed on the 2k until I could shave arm hair, then moved to the pyramids with the 5K and 8k. Finished on the 12K, stropped about sixty laps, and shaved..
Awesome!! I can always tell a super close shave when my hands with Witch Hazel slide off my face, and that happened after this shave!

So, this nice little Bowdin's Wedge that I paid $9.99 for enters a useful life once again instead of collecting dust in someone's attic.. This is the first razor I took from pretty dull to shave ready. Today was my thirteenth straight razor shave, so maybe I should have stuck to what I know, but me and the little Wedge pulled it off with nary a nick..

I'm bleary eyed from all the honing, and my arm is missing alot of hair, but i'm very happy, and appreciative for the help I've found here!

Thanks!

Congrats, isn't it great to shave with a blade that was sharpened by your own hand ? It could also be the LUCKY No. 13 shave. Cheers

Glad that it worked out well for you , Congrats on honing your own.