When to use a Pyramid?

From what I understand, the pyramid method is only one method of honing and not necessarily preferred by all. I am extremely new to honing having only done touch ups to this point. I do have two razors at home that I am going to start from scratch on and I just wanted to see what people though of the pyramid method for this purpose.

I have seen Lynn's suggestion of 3-3, 1-3, 1-5 for touch ups, but is a pyramid starting at say 15 or 20 recommended after the bevel is set?

I guess, generally I am asking whether the pyramid method is preferred more for touching up a shave ready razor or if it can be used as part of a progression to take a razor from dull to shave ready?

How to explain this ?????

Pretty much, once the bevel is truly set, you can take any direction you want to climb the rest of the ladder...

Which is better, or best, is all a matter of style, preference, and the stones...

Speaking of which, what stones are you using???

You can use pyramids for either touch ups or full blown honing. You'd need to have a bevel set before starting the pyramid though, as the 4k and 8k hones are sharpening and polishing grits respectively.

I personally find it easier to hone progressively. IE: Start at 1k and then move up the stones, rather than trying to work out where to start in the process, then doing the pyramid and swapping back and forth between stones, then testing the edge afterwards, then diving back into the pyramid again and so on. But its really personal preference! :)

I've been using pyramids for a long time with stellar results when using synthetics. If I'm doing naturals I start with a 1k naniwa to set the bevel and then a progression. Here is one pyramid tutorial in the SRP Wiki and here is a less aggressive pyramid, also in the Wiki. :gl:

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

Speaking of which, what stones are you using???

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I should have clarified this...I am using Naniwa 2k, 5k, 8k, 12k.

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Originally Posted by Stubear

I personally find it easier to hone progressively. IE: Start at 1k and then move up the stones, rather than trying to work out where to start in the process, then doing the pyramid and swapping back and forth between stones, then testing the edge afterwards, then diving back into the pyramid again and so on. But its really personal preference! :)

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I, too, prefer the progressive approach as opposed to the swapping back and forth of the pyramid method. I've tried both ways and, frankly, I don't think it really makes much difference. As with so much of this stuff, it's a matter of personal preference, just as Stubear said.

If I were going to use a Pyramid on these I would use it between the 5k / 8k myself then finish out smooth and even on the 12k JMHO

The number of strokes in the Pyramids on SRP were designed for a Norton 4/8 so you are going to have to play with them to use on the Naniwas, they would be a good starting point with the Conservative one though, after the 2k...