Thread: Wrong choice

A friend of mine is a professional honer and I asked him which stone he started honig. He stated that he started with the Norton 4k. Not too long after that I purchased a Fanger 500 7/8 full hollow pushing to extra. I decided to start with my Norton 4k. The wrong choice, the shave was very marginal. I went back and started with the Norton 1k to creat or set the proper edge. The shave was a 10, nice clean smooth. Just because other people can start with a 4k and have a great hone, does not mean I can have the same result. I learned I need to start with the 1k for me to get a good hone. The 4k is great for sharpening, but I need the 1k to start me in the right path. Juan.

I have found that where I start depends on the condition of the edge to begin with. If it is a new razor I try popping arm hair after stropping. TPT (thumb pad test) and so forth. I've gotten some that needed the bevel set, some that only needed polishing, and a very few that needed no more than stropping. I know that Randy has said that a bevel can be set on the 4k but it does take longer. Like you, I prefer to go 1k if I do need to set the bevel.

On the vintage razors it is usually best to start with a 1k so that you remove the old, chipped,soft, oxidized steel first. By the time your done with that you have created a bevel that can be refined by the 4k rather rapidly.
This can be done with the 4k alone but it takes a lot longer. It is a personal choice.

Just my $.02,

Originally Posted by juannaredo

A friend of mine is a professional honer and I asked him which stone he started honig. He stated that he started with the Norton 4k. Not too long after that I purchased a Fanger 500 7/8 full hollow pushing to extra. I decided to start with my Norton 4k. The wrong choice, the shave was very marginal. I went back and started with the Norton 1k to creat or set the proper edge. The shave was a 10, nice clean smooth. Just because other people can start with a 4k and have a great hone, does not mean I can have the same result. I learned I need to start with the 1k for me to get a good hone. The 4k is great for sharpening, but I need the 1k to start me in the right path. Juan.

Juan
what you are saying is relevant only if honer doesn't know how to hone straight razor.
Only differences you will have starting with 1k and 4k is time spending on honing.
if you start with 1k you will end up spending less time compare to 4k.
In General shaving effect comes on your finishing stage.
Lets say.
you start to hone with 1k.
set bevel. move to 4k then 8k then finish the edge.
Now lets say with 4k
you STAY UNTIL 4 k your edge will have 4k edge sharpness(will take a little longer)
then you move 8k and finish the edge.
END RESULT SHOULD BE SAME if you know what you are doing.
hope this helps.
All above won't make sense in case you are shaving off 4k or 1k . i don't think you were talking about this situation.

My error was, I didn't spent enough time on the 4k, even the Norton 4k which it is a fast cutting stone, needs time to do the job. I was in a hurry to shave with the new razor and reglected the proper time to hone the edge. I learned to take my time to hone. The Belgian stones forced me to acquire patience, a good habit to have in honing. Juan

Originally Posted by juannaredo

My error was, I didn't spent enough time on the 4k, even the Norton 4k which it is a fast cutting stone, needs time to do the job. I was in a hurry to shave with the new razor and reglected the proper time to hone the edge. I learned to take my time to hone. The Belgian stones forced me to acquire patience, a good habit to have in honing. Juan

every single person makes errors. as long as someone find it and try to fix it. that is all matter.
have fun

Personally I wouldn't use a 4k if 1k is more appropriate.
If you use the right grit for the right circumstances it will easier on the stones & cheaper in the long run... if you hone a lot