Thread: ok I have a BBW How do i use it?

I just recieved a BBW/w a slurry stone. I have no idea how to use it. HELP!!!

Rene

When I used to use mine, I'd go to it after I set the bevel. Raise a slurry to be sort of milky, and start doing X's. You'll have to play with the pressure, number of laps, number of drops to add, etc, but the idea is you slowly dilute the slurry to transition from the cutting power that removes the scratches to just water, which will do more polishing without dulling the edge.

After you get to just the BBW with water, the razor should give you a very smooth shave with no pulling. Well, that will vary a bit from stone to stone, but I got very nice shaves off mine.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

When I used to use mine, I'd go to it after I set the bevel. Raise a slurry to be sort of milky, and start doing X's. You'll have to play with the pressure, number of laps, number of drops to add, etc, but the idea is you slowly dilute the slurry to transition from the cutting power that removes the scratches to just water, which will do more polishing without dulling the edge.

After you get to just the BBW with water, the razor should give you a very smooth shave with no pulling. Well, that will vary a bit from stone to stone, but I got very nice shaves off mine.

How many laps do you usually start with?

Originally Posted by nicknbleeding

How many laps do you usually start with?

Depends of course on what you are trying to achieve & the speed of your stone.
Mix up a slurry & see what happens. Look at your edge under a loupe & see what effect you have . Also wipe the blade clean on white tissue or rag & see how quickly the slurry changes colour. You may need anything from 30 -300 strokes. There are no set formulae with natural stones.

Ok thanks. Now how do i raise a slurry with the slurry stone?

Typically when I raise slurry, I put a thin coat of water on the hone, and then rub it with the slurry stone. I try to rub the whole stone evenly, with a little extra on the ends (to counter any dishing that might occur). Try not to push the slurry off the stone, as that's a waste of the stone (not much, but if you do it a ton it adds up). Once you have some slurry, a few passes with a razor will mix the stone with water, and you'll see what sort of consistancy you have. If you want thicker, rub more. If you want thinner, add some water.

Keep diluting the slurry, a couple drops of water every few minutes as the slurry darkens. Once you get get down to just plain water, watch for the way the water behaves. When it starts to run up the blade at all points, smoothly from heel to toe, then spend a few more minutes doing x-strokes and then move on to next stone.

What's other stones do you have? Many of us use the BBW in the middle of our progressions, between the bevel-setting stone and the finishing stone.

If you've got a slurry stone use it as illustrated in the photo. This came with a set of instructions for a Norton hone and I have found using the edge is more efficient than using the slurry stone flat.

If you don't have a slurry stone Dia-Sharp (DMT) sells a credit card size 325 (coarse) diamond plate that is very good for creating slurry without leaving it's own abrasive in the mix.

As far as laps, practice the TPT (thumb pad test) in conjunction with shaving arm or leg hair on the skin and popping same above the skin. You'll gauge your progress as you go with the TPT. If you aren't familiar with the TPT and you have a new SE or DE blade feel that on your thumb pad to learn what the TPT feels like on a sharp blade.

Doing the TPT I hold the spine in my left hand and gently run my TP up the edge from heel to point. If it slides I better get back to the bevel set. If it is sticky for the full length I will begin to try and pop hair.

Originally Posted by MarkinLondon

Keep diluting the slurry, a couple drops of water every few minutes as the slurry darkens. Once you get get down to just plain water, watch for the way the water behaves. When it starts to run up the blade at all points, smoothly from heel to toe, then spend a few more minutes doing x-strokes and then move on to next stone.

What's other stones do you have? Many of us use the BBW in the middle of our progressions, between the bevel-setting stone and the finishing stone.

I have the norton sets 220/1000 4000/8000 also a 12k chinese.

Thank you everyone. This is alot of help. I hope to try it tonight. Oh one more question. When it goes to just water, would that be considered polishing?

Thanks Rene