Thread: First Hone Job

Yesterday I started to work on my first start to finish honing of a razor. The edge had a few chips that needed to be removed and then bevel set.

Here is the link:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...tml#post702222

I started on the 1K Norton but the chip seemed to defy removal. After an hour or so of X strokes and little circles, one chip remained. I decided to move to the 220 and continued with X strokes and little circles. It took some time but this morning but I finally got to the point that the chip was gone and the edge clean from heel to toe.

I moved to the 1K and started my attempt to get a bevel. I kept at the X strokes and the small circles. I kept looking at the edge but the test I was interested in was the popping arm hair test. The razor would just plow over the hair on my arm and basically scrape off the dry skin without removing hair. This went on and on and on. I became a bit worried that I was doing something wrong. I decided to lap the 1K again and continue. The lapping only took a minute to remove the pencil marks. I then continued with the circles and X strokes. After a few laps of both I went and attempted to pop some arm hair. I was shocked when the hair came right off. I was also so thrilled that I actually have appeared to set a bevel.
I then went to Lynn's progression on the 4K and 8K. I also ran it on a Coti for 60 laps. I now have no hair left on my arm and I cannot wait to use the razor this evening.

Thanks to all for the help.

Congrats, Jeff! The first victory is so sweet.

I like to do the TNT when setting a bevel before I mess with cutting hair. When you drag the edge over the moistened thumbnail you can feel whether it is grabbing or not. There are degrees with this too and you learn them with practice.

Once the TNT is good I don't use it again but go to the TPT and the arm or leg hair. IME using the TPT is also something that has to be developed and it is easier to shave and then pop arm hair but, I soon got tired of walking around with "razor mange" and began relying on the TPT more. Congrats on getting into honing your own. Watch out though, it can become addictive.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Congrats, Jeff! The first victory is so sweet.

It was made easier by watching you. Thanks.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I like to do the TNT when setting a bevel before I mess with cutting hair. When you drag the edge over the moistened thumbnail you can feel whether it is grabbing or not. There are degrees with this too and you learn them with practice.

Once the TNT is good I don't use it again but go to the TPT and the arm or leg hair. IME using the TPT is also something that has to be developed and it is easier to shave and then pop arm hair but, I soon got tired of walking around with "razor mange" and began relying on the TPT more. Congrats on getting into honing your own. Watch out though, it can become addictive.

I don't seem to be able to get a feel for those other tests. I guess it takes some time. I'll try those next time I hone a razor but I'm thinking I need much more experience.

Originally Posted by Mvcrash

I don't seem to be able to get a feel for those other tests. I guess it takes some time. I'll try those next time I hone a razor but I'm thinking I need much more experience.

The TNT is easy. When you pull the edge across your thumbnail (weight of the blade, no pressure) it either offers resistance or it slides across with little or none. Rough areas can be felt if there are any. Once it uniformly offers continuous resistance it has 'passed' the test.

The TPT is a more difficult one to get the hang of but IME it is like the TNT in that you are looking for a stickiness, IOW, resistance to sliding. It is not done with the intention of cutting into the thumb pad, although under magnification my thumb pad looks like a plowed field, but just to have the edge grab the surface of the thumb pad.

Holding the spine in the left hand, assuming you're right handed, start at the heel and with the moistened thumb pad lightly move up the edge. When it grabs lift the thumb pad and come down again beyond where you were and so on up to the point. Kind of bouncing along when it grabs.

Randy recommended to me that I use a new DE or SE blade to get the feel of what it is supposed to feel like when the razor is sharp. You can run out of hair on both arms and legs if you hone a lot so these are good tests to acquaint yourself with.

Congratulations Jeff!! That is a great feeling indeed and something to be proud of!

Originally Posted by Mvcrash

I don't seem to be able to get a feel for those other tests. I guess it takes some time. I'll try those next time I hone a razor but I'm thinking I need much more experience.

Be sure to bring it up at the meet! TPT is great during "pass the razor," but since TNT actually dulls the edge just a bit it is easier to talk about one on one.

Congrats on your first honing success! The first time is always the most thrilling.

Originally Posted by Salsa

Congrats on your first honing success! The first time is always the most thrilling.

Thanks, and yes you are correct. It was very satisfying!!

I hone more knives than razors, and thought TPT meant toilet paper test. Now I know.

If you have a knife you think is sharp, try cutting a piece of toilet paper in half (supported on both sides with knife blade in the middle). It can be a humbling experience.