Thread: Can you set a bevel with a Norton 4K?

I tried the thumbnail test and the blade dug in straight away, so form that i assumed that the bevel was set correctly.

I am currently using an eBay special as i though there's no point ruining a decent razor with my poor skills, hence why i did a lot of preliminary strokes on the 4k as i assumed that it need a LOT of work.


Richard

It sounds like you are on the right track then, try a shave and see what happens, worst case, you come back do another Pyramid or two and finishing sequence and tweek it in...

Thank you very much for your advice, hopefully it will go ok!

Richard

Remember that a Norton 4K new has a grainy feel to it. I am still finding that I need to lap about 1/8 inch away to get past that graininess. Once the 4K side starts feeling smooth, you should be good to go and your honing should improve as well.

Have fun,

Lynn

Ahh yes thanks Lynn! I lapped the 4k 3 times using 400 grit sandpaper and the pencil grids, but it still has that grainy feeling when i ran the razor over it (whilst I cringed!) I think i shall mark 1/8" down the side and lap away! As i said in a previous post i was amazed at how smooth the 8k was after lapping. I wont achieve this with the 4k however im sure i can improve the surface.

Would it be a good idea to use a finishing paper for the 4k, i have 600 at the ready?

Thanks for all your advice, test shave tonight with yesterdays honing

Richard

You should be ok just going with the 325, but the 600 won't hurt. The main thing is that you don't want to feel that graininess. Once it's gone, you're good to go.

Have fun,

Lynn

After a few hours of blood sweat and tears i have got some frustrating results to say the least! I have managed to get the third of the blade nearest the scales to pass HHT-3 (which all beit isnt amazing) however it means im doing something right.

From previous sessions i thought my hone was curved hence why the other end of the blade was not getting even contact, so i put more emphasis on the rolling x stroke today, however it seems to be to no avail.

I did lap the 4k side again using the pencil grids and using 400 grit and 600 grit sandpaper. Is there anything profoundly wrong, or is it time to get a DMT D8C or the norton flattening stone? Please note im not using the nagura prep stone for slurry.

Thanks

Richard

If using a 4k as a bevel setter, use lots of slurry. Smoother and easier to gradually get to an 8-10k. It's hard this, learn from the experts.

I wouldn't get too caught up in the popping arm hairs thing. Arm hair is very variable and some people can never get theirs to tree-top or pop.

The shave test is the ultimate test but if you learn how to "calibrate" the HHT for your source of hair it can be very useful.

-john

I don't want to hijack this thread but I'm also having a little difficulty identifying when a bevel is set (mostly because I don't have arm hair so I can't just pop a couple of them to see if a bevel is ready).

So if I gather correctly I'd a resort passes the thumbnail test it has a bevel set?