Start by seeing if it cuts arm hair. If not try the TNT. Wet your thumb nail and drag the razor lightly across your thumb nail w/o pressure. It won't cut through. If you feel it sliding and not biting anywhere in the edge you need to bring the bevel to an edge, "set the bevel". You can use the 5k to set the bevel but it obviously will take more time than if you were using a 1k. Start with a marker on the bevel to be sure you are honing the complete edge. Don't move off the 5k till the blade pops arm hairs for the entire length of the blade. Circles for a length of time followed by10 laps, repeat until it pops hairs. Circles will prevent over honing. Antique shop finds almost always need the bevel set due to mis handling and cutting who knows what.