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

Originally Posted by SuperSpeedRacer

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?

You can buy a loupe on Amazon with LED lights (40x) to look at the bevel and see if it's set:

Amazon.com: 40 X 25mm Glass Lens Jeweler Loupe Magnifier With LED: Office Products

I usually test by seeing how well the razor shaves arm hair (it should shave arm hair effortlessly) and inspect the length of the bevel on both sides with the loupe before going to higher grits.

-john

Is there any other tests than the arm hair test? I have unusually hairless arms.

Originally Posted by SuperSpeedRacer

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?

There are basically 3 tests for a solid bevel set

TNT
TPT
AHT

Try and learn and use them all, but you have to have one that never fails you...

There is a thread about a 1k shave test but I don't advise that for newbs it is more of a learning experience for people after they have managed a few successful honings

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...-1k-shave.html

But as you can see some of the guys used it to good advantage..


A new DE blade can teach you what to feel for on many of these tests

I am also having trouble knowing when to move to finishing stones. I now own more hones than I do razors! I have a 1k-6k combo stone, a naniwa 4k,8k,10k. Effectively it's 5 bloody stones. The 1 K is yet to arrive, but I don't want to go crazy and hone it for an eternity. What fellas, is a good way to make use of all these stones. I am getting acceptable results with razors I hone, but they aren't as good as the one professionally honed by member havachat45, which are even after 2 months good to go. Am I using too much presure or not enough, pyramids or progression? I know it's subjective, but now I have all the tools. 2 dovo prima klangs and bismarck 6/8 brand new. Havachat45 did one of the Prima Klangs, so I can directly compare his hone and mine. Not a huge difference, but nonethless not as good. I'm cynical when it comes to Thumb nail tests. the idea is to sharpen the blade not dull it, it's like drinking arsenic to make sure it will kill you? When the 1k arrives I'm thinking it won't take nearly as long to set a correct bevel.....being a beginner can be frustration, looking at Lynn and gssixgun do it, why is it so hard for me?

Originally Posted by bobski

I am also having trouble knowing when to move to finishing stones. I now own more hones than I do razors! I have a 1k-6k combo stone, a naniwa 4k,8k,10k. Effectively it's 5 bloody stones. The 1 K is yet to arrive, but I don't want to go crazy and hone it for an eternity. What fellas, is a good way to make use of all these stones. I am getting acceptable results with razors I hone, but they aren't as good as the one professionally honed by member havachat45, which are even after 2 months good to go. Am I using too much presure or not enough, pyramids or progression? I know it's subjective, but now I have all the tools. 2 dovo prima klangs and bismarck 6/8 brand new. Havachat45 did one of the Prima Klangs, so I can directly compare his hone and mine. Not a huge difference, but nonethless not as good. I'm cynical when it comes to Thumb nail tests. the idea is to sharpen the blade not dull it, it's like drinking arsenic to make sure it will kill you? When the 1k arrives I'm thinking it won't take nearly as long to set a correct bevel.....being a beginner can be frustration, looking at Lynn and gssixgun do it, why is it so hard for me?

When it comes to just about anything a pro who has been doing it for years can make anything look easy. I'll bet when Lynn honed his first razor he had issues.

My first real hone was the Norton 4K/8K and I restored I don't know how many razors with the 4K before I finally broke down and got the 1K combo. The 4K works fine for bevels. it just takes longer.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

There are basically 3 tests for a solid bevel set

TNT
TPT
AHT

Try and learn and use them all, but you have to have one that never fails you...

There is a thread about a 1k shave test but I don't advise that for newbs it is more of a learning experience for people after they have managed a few successful honings

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...-1k-shave.html

But as you can see some of the guys used it to good advantage..


A new DE blade can teach you what to feel for on many of these tests

Thanks for the reply. I've been using DE blades as a reference for the TPT. I still haven't been able to get an edge that sharp yet when bevel setting. I get close but I seem to then make an error and degrade the edge. I think I need to get more consistent with the pressure I'm using. I find I have a hard time keeping the razor flat unless I use both hands. And, I think I must start pressing down as I go.

P.S. I love your videos on YouTube. I've been using them to guide my honing strategy. It really helps that you state what you're looking for in the way the razor feels on the stone.

Update: I think I worked through the error I was making. I managed to get a nice bevel set, polished it up on my PHIG and got a remarkably comfortable shave out of the crappy sacrificial Gold Dollar I bought just to learn how to hone.