Thread: Another hone test - Shaving off the Naniwa 5k

The lowest I could ever go was 2k sandpaper on plexi, with a Wapi. Very light touch in the end, then leather strop. I would never shave with something rougher than that.

Glen,

Thank you for explaining sharp vs. smooth. I've been scratching my head wondering why folks who are experienced at honing say that finishing on a hard Arkansas stone isn't good, and that razors from the factory aren't shave-ready when I find both claims to be different in my experience. I see now that an OK edge isn't anything near as good as one honed by a master.

One of these days I want to treat myself and get a razor from a honemeister like Lynn, Dylan, Utopian or yourself.

Best Regards,
Jeff

Originally Posted by JeffR

I've been scratching my head wondering why folks who are experienced at honing say that finishing on a hard Arkansas stone isn't good, and that razors from the factory aren't shave-ready when I find both claims to be different in my experience. I see now that an OK edge isn't anything near as good as one honed by a master.

I use a stereomicroscope to examine every razor I hone. Most razors from the factory only have a partially set bevel. That is, the edge does not form a perfect "V" along the entire length of the blade. Oftentimes one face of the bevel may be fully cut but the other is not. Such an edge will shave, and may feel sharp, but it is not even close to the full cutting capacity of the edge.

Originally Posted by JeffR

Glen,

Thank you for explaining sharp vs. smooth. I've been scratching my head wondering why folks who are experienced at honing say that finishing on a hard Arkansas stone isn't good, and that razors from the factory aren't shave-ready when I find both claims to be different in my experience. I see now that an OK edge isn't anything near as good as one honed by a master.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I use a stereomicroscope to examine every razor I hone. Most razors from the factory only have a partially set bevel. That is, the edge does not form a perfect "V" along the entire length of the blade. Oftentimes one face of the bevel may be fully cut but the other is not. Such an edge will shave, and may feel sharp, but it is not even close to the full cutting capacity of the edge.

Ron is right BTW, take a look at the Dovo Vid that is tucked away on here and watch what they term "Sharpened"
The razors are "Set" on a flat disc with the spine being held up off that by hand, which explains what Ron meant about uneven bevels from side to side...

My understanding is that TI now runs them back and forth on an actual hone after doing the same, to smooth that bevel a bit more...

Try a genuine Hand Honed Edge at least once just to see what the hype is all about...

Dylan, I've got the 3k Naniwa so I'll give it a try and report back here... From the hospital lol!

This has got me thinking whether its possible to shave off the 3k. The edge looks pretty polished off this stone so arguably it should be comfortable-ish.

I've got a few razors I'm working on at the moment so I'll stop at 3k on one of them and see what the shave is like.