Thread: New member - challenged honing

Guys I have given this blade a lot of honing. I think that with the 1k side I have worked through all the corrosion. At the beginning I even had little tiny holes that you could see through the edge at 150x. I removed all of that and then moved on to the 8k side. I thought it was pretty good by running across my thumb. I even took a couple of shaves with it. Was not as smooth as I expected and with my lack of experience I also was wacking my chin.

What led me to look for advice is that most of what I read listed the hanging hair test as a standard test. In no way was the razor capable of meeting that test. That is when I started taking image captures on the microscope and looking for improvement. I did not see the improvement from the 1k to the 8k that I was expecting. If I had taken an image with light from above you could see that the rough cut from the 1k stone was gone but the 8k did not really seem to even up the actual leading edge much. Once it was pointed out that the gap from 1k to 8k was too extreme it made sense to me. I have ordered a 4k stone and if I am lucky it may be here by Saturday.

I also think the advice to get a properly honed blade makes a lot of sense; however, I want to push on and try to see what I can do with the 4k stone when it gets here. I am pretty determined when I set my mind to something and think I should be able to get a good edge. I will obviously know if that is true or not once I get the 4k stone in my hands and a day or so to play with it. I think messing around with the razor and the hones is good fun and think I can see my way through it.

I am also looking to pick up another used razor from Ebay since I have read that it is recommended that one have two razors ready to use. I am also expecting my strop to hit any day now.

In response to an earlier concern about affecting the temper on the blade I am sure that did not happen - the blade was pretty gray and dark when I got it. I used some steel wool to do initial cleaning and then disinfected with Hydrox Hydrocide. I then used a 6" buffing wheel on my drill press at 780 rpm. I am sure that I did not generate enough heat to impact the temper.

I would estimate that I probably put at least 80 round trip strokes on the 1000k stone. There were quite a few irregularities in the blade that I needed to polish through. I probably ran about 60 strokes on the 8k but as I said it did not really even up the leading edge but it did remove the scratches across the surfaces of both sides.

Thanks for all of the good advice. I think I am going to "pretend" shave with my razor during free time before my hone arrives so that I can get a feel for shaving with my left hand. I have not done that before but I find the contortions required to shave both sides of my face with my right hand really complex.

Ed

What I meant by correcting the chips is to hone them out with 1k. that edge as pictured is not ready for 4k

I cant see the bevel because the image is too dark, but the edge looks like it still has a ways to go, its a bit of a jump from 1k to 8k, but it can be done. its just more labor intensive and time consuming. The HHT is unimportant IMO, and using the thumbnail is to determine if there are chips and nicks in the blade before honing, after the bevel is set the thumbnail should not be used or you will dull the edge destroying your work. While you are at woodcraft for a 4k you might as well pick up something in the 12-16k range as a finisher.

Guys I attempted another round of sharpening today. Same stone the 1000kx8000 Norton. I don't expect to receive the 4000 stone until Saturday at the earliest. I tried using a less pressure on the blade and also doing the X pattern. I initially was using more pressure and going straight across the hone holding the blade off perpendicular.

It feels pretty sharp to me. After running it over the 1k hone side in about three sets of 10 passes it was cutting arm hair pretty nicely. I then ran bout 5 sets of about 10 passes on the 8k side. It feels pretty good to me and tested on leg hair it felt pretty smooth. I also received my strop today.

I am contemplating another test shave tomorrow - maybe avoiding the chin until I get more practice. Most of the nicks have healed pretty well.

I am attaching photos from todays session using a light from above as well as from below.

Let me know what you think.

These images are after the 1000 grit side.

60x


150x


This is after the 8000 grit side.

60x


150x


This is after the 8000 grit with lighting from above as well as below.

60x


150x



Let me know what you think.

I have also started watching the classifieds here on this site to see if I can get my hands on an inexpensive structurally sound razor as well.

Thanks

Ed

you have to stay on 8k a little longer.
your edge is half way in there on 8k.
try take all pressure off and make 10-20 strokes check the edge.
This is the best sign when you done 8k.
when you try to shave your arm hair hair will fall next to the blade silently.(no jumping etc)
if you get this then you have done on 8k,
above skin level.
gl

I agree with Sham, a little more on the 8k and you will be right on target. Great pics, thank you.

The pics are very good and informative.

The bevel is all one color, thats good, if you had 2 different angles on the bevel they would reflect the light differently and show up as 2 colors.

The scratch pattern extends for the full width of the bevel, I hope it does for the full lengthas well.

The scratch pattern is uniform. There is no cross hatching visible, another good sign.

The scratches seem kinda deep for an 8K, that simply reflects that you have not completely replaced the scratches from the 1K with a set of 4K scratches and then replaced the 4k with a set of 8k scratches. Once you use the 4K you will see the difference.

Your doing well, keep at it, but also get a razor honed by someone from the SRP to act as "standard".

Just my $.02,

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

I used the razor this morning on all of my face except for the chin. It went pretty well but I know that it can get better. At this point it felt kind of like a week old Gem blade. Pretty darn good but I know that it will get better. I am looking forward to working the blade on the 4k when it gets here and being able to use the Pyramid approach that I read about on here- hopefully Saturday.

It still will not pass the hanging hair test. I am looking forward to the time when the blade gets to that point.

I ran it over the strop last night and this morning. After looking at one of the videos on this site it did not seem that complex. Just need more practice so that it is faster and smoother.

I'll keep at it.

Thaniks again for the help.

Ed

weldone Ed , jump in head first its the only way you'l be self sufficent , I think if I had to post razors out to be honed at a cost of 20 -25 each I'd give em up an go back to DE's ,I own one water stone couldnt even tellya what grit it is or anythin about it other than Ive been able to bring all of the razors I have to shave ready on it alone ,they all pass the HHT and yes I have purchased shave ready razors to compare , all ya need is paitence and persistence as your finding it aint the rocket science its often made out to be

You have pictures? I am curious what you are using.

Originally Posted by Bazz

weldone Ed , jump in head first its the only way you'l be self sufficent , I think if I had to post razors out to be honed at a cost of 20 -25 each I'd give em up an go back to DE's ,I own one water stone couldnt even tellya what grit it is or anythin about it other than Ive been able to bring all of the razors I have to shave ready on it alone ,they all pass the HHT and yes I have purchased shave ready razors to compare , all ya need is paitence and persistence as your finding it aint the rocket science its often made out to be