Thread: Honing a TI with a factory edge

Got a new TI razor, didn't get it honed by a pro.

I was just wondering what people generally do to get their razors shave ready in this type of situation.

I have some Naniwa's: 1k/5k/8k/12k, Diamond spray .5 on SRD felt, and then unpasted SRD cotton on my Premium 1 strop.

I have two other razors that I shave with, both were honed by pros. I used those to compare sharpness to the new TI.

Just using the TPT, I can tell it's not as sharp as my other two.

I was thinking of starting with the 8k and moving to 12k then to cotton and leather.

I wouldn't think I would need to set a bevel, but just work with the one I have.

Does this sound ball park for what I need to do?

Any input would be greatly appreciated,

Code

You'll have to try it to find out, but...

I always reset bevels on razors when I get them, because it's the only way I'll know for sure that I'm starting with a good bevel.

With new TI's; I've found it usually takes a fair bit of work to set the bevel the first time, but this varies from razor to razor. Some will be close, others will need more work; that's just the luck of the draw.

ive bought a few Tis lately and i really havent had any problem with them.

Then again they might have had more work done to them from the websites i bought them. Or im just extremely lucky.

Which razor is it?

My TI was factory sharp as well.
When I honed it I had to re-set the bevel because it wouldn't take arm hair off.
You might wait to hear what some of the pro's have to say, but I would say set the bevel as well.

It's a SE II with the ram's horn.

Thanks for the replies.

I might just start at resetting the bevel.


Code

With I TI, I'd set the bevel on the 3K.

I find that a new TI takes alot more work than a factory edge of a Solingen or Swedish blade.

With a German blade, you can get away with going to the 8K. With my TI, I actually had to go down to 1K, the factory edge was that poor.

Mine was purchased from the Art of Shaving in Miami as a gift, where apparently they have on site honing. How different this is from a factory TI's edge I do not know, but they definitely need to start getting professionals to hone for them.

Originally Posted by Code

It's a SE II with the ram's horn.

Thanks for the replies.

I might just start at resetting the bevel.


Code

Have you tried shaving with it first? Those razors are supposed to be pretty awesome so they should be very shave ready already.

If your bevel seems good (it shaves arm hair reasonably well the whole length of the blade), you also need to make sure the angle is correct--they often lift the spine slightly on factory edges to avoid spine wear--resulting in a too-steep bevel when honed normally (spine on hone).

Use the magic marker test & some form of magnification--you want to see clean, fresh steel extending all the way to the tip--no ink. If that checks out & your bevel is otherwise good, you can go straight to your 4k or equiv. Might still take you a while, as those steels are quite hard...

Thanks everyone for the advice.

I went with resetting the bevel using the magic marker method.

I used a Naniwa 1k for this. Took about 30 total passes before I was satisfied.

After that it was fairly straightforward progressive grits: 5k, 8k, 12k, .5 micron on felt and then cotton and leather.

It is most certainly sharper than it was. It even somewhat passes a HHT. I don't place much stock in that test, but it's cool to do. It will only pass with a grey chest hair.

The true test will come in the AM when I shave with it.

Stupid or confident, you decide, this was only the second razor I have honed. I was slow and steady, the marker really helps you see how much and how quickly the materiel is being removed, as well at the pattern it's being removed in.

Honing is starting to get addictive. I need more razors just so I can hone more.

Anyways, the next adventure is the coticule. I really love the idea of doing what I just did with one stone.

Thanks again,

Code

Just an update...

Shaved with my newly honed TI this morning. I was very satisfied.

It was as good a shave as my crappy technique would allow.

Thanks a bunch for all the advice.

Happy Honing,

Code