Thread: When to move from the 4k to the 8K

1st of all, IMHO, if you got ANY kind of shave off that razor, you've done a great job with it. 2nd. If it pass's the TPT after your done on the 4K, but not the HHT, it's probably NOT you fault, Being not the greatest metal with what is considered much less than decent heat treating, the very edge of the bevel[right at the tip of it!] the breaking down and not "Holding" the edge your trying to put on it.
AND it's time you got a half decent 8K stone and some CromOx on a home made balsa wood strop, the WIKI will help you out on the plans for that fairly simple project, it's my opinion young grasshopper, your ready for the next level.
Now get some older slightly better e-bay razor to work on and prepare for MUCH better results.
That's my bloddy 2 cents worth, and some might just say that ALL it's worth but then some might agree with me.

Have a Great G/day!! And of course a BBS every day.

tinkersd of SRP

Originally Posted by PA23-250

Not necessarily. It depends on your hair. Some hair types will not pop until after stropping, no matter how good the edge is. This is an individual thing.

What you should be looking for after the 1K is arm hair shaving. There will be some resistance, but the hair should shave. After the 4K, very little resistance & after the 8K, basically no resistance--they should fall off in a clump w/ no pulling at all. THen strop & test shave.

You are correct, it should have said shaving.

Originally Posted by tinkersd

1st of all, IMHO, if you got ANY kind of shave off that razor, you've done a great job with it. 2nd. If it pass's the TPT after your done on the 4K, but not the HHT, it's probably NOT you fault, Being not the greatest metal with what is considered much less than decent heat treating, the very edge of the bevel[right at the tip of it!] the breaking down and not "Holding" the edge your trying to put on it.
AND it's time you got a half decent 8K stone and some CromOx on a home made balsa wood strop, the WIKI will help you out on the plans for that fairly simple project, it's my opinion young grasshopper, your ready for the next level.
Now get some older slightly better e-bay razor to work on and prepare for MUCH better results.
That's my bloddy 2 cents worth, and some might just say that ALL it's worth but then some might agree with me.

Have a Great G/day!! And of course a BBS every day.

tinkersd of SRP

Thank you very much for your encouragment!
I know they are not the greatest razors, But I am glad I have something to tinker with. I do have some good razors, that were honed by those who know what they are doing. I will attempt to keep them sharp at home when the necessity presents itself, but for the time being I am content to make some progress with these cheapies.. and take em as far as they can go!
I may never get them as sharp as say, my Wapi, but I have learned a hell of a lot messing with them, and I am very greatful for that.
So, I will take them back to the 4k, run a test every 20 or so passes and check my progress as Holli4Pirating suggested, and when I feel like I cant take it any further, I will flip over the rock and start on the 8k, and onward to my pasted balsa.
Thanks a lot for everyone's help and suggestions, you guys are all awesome and extremely helpful!

Oh, I didn't even notice the razors being used. The test I suggested may not work at all.

On some "razor shaped objects" that I have played with, merely trying to shave arm hairs or touching the edge to do a TPT totally ruined the edge I had created, meaning I had to go back to the 1k and reset the bevel.

Using "razor shaped objects" may help you get comfortable handling razors, but they are not good indicators for proper honing techniques or progress. When the edge fails or fails to progress, and it will, you'll never know if it was your honing or the razor. With no way to isolate problems, there is no way to solve them, or even know what the problem really is.

You really need quality razors to learn to hone. Doesn't mean they have to be expensive, though. For example, if you take a razor with a massive chip in it, you can still play with the good part or parts of the edge. I'd say your best bet is to keep an eye on ebay and also throw up a WTB in the classifieds for an inexpensive, quality razor. If you don't get something within a week, drop me a PM and I'll send you one for free (going on a vacation, and 1 week is when I'll be back).

4K should shave your armhair, generally, above skin level with a gentle pop. After that 8K should pop hair at a high level too, silently.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Oh, I didn't even notice the razors being used. The test I suggested may not work at all.

On some "razor shaped objects" that I have played with, merely trying to shave arm hairs or touching the edge to do a TPT totally ruined the edge I had created, meaning I had to go back to the 1k and reset the bevel.

+1... Similar experience here on the shave test. Edge totally destroyed on first pass.
I think you are setting yourself up for frustration unless your razor has a known quality.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Oh, I didn't even notice the razors being used..................

.............. "razor shaped objects"..............

Ha! man, I was on the floor. I know you didnt say it to be funny, but that's a helluva way to describe these.

"dude, you bought a razor?"
"naw, I bought a razor shaped object"

Seriously thought, Thanks. And I will probably take you up on your offer. I can't see sepending more money on razors just yet, especially one that I dont plan on actually shaving with... I'm saving for a DMT. I will keep my eye out for something to play with, but I will get ahold of you in a week and see if you still want to mail me one that I can toy around with. I will gladly pay shipping, of course.
As always, everyone on here is very generous!

I bought 2 good blades very cheaply from Whipped Dog, sans scales. I got a Griffon Carbo-Magnetic, and a Crown and Sword (1720?? maybe).
It must have been the crappy blades I was trying to hone, because I put that carbo on the stones and had great success. Used the same procedure... reset the bevel, worked the 4K, then the 8k, and followed up with the .03 and .01 micron pastes, then normal stropping.
That sucker is SHARP, and did pass the HHT (which is a huge accomplishment for me!).
I dont know how she shaves as I was running too late this morning to have time to get a proper shave in, but I will try her out tomorrow and post back to let you know how it felt on the face.

Originally Posted by Cheeks

I bought 2 good blades very cheaply from Whipped Dog, sans scales. I got a Griffon Carbo-Magnetic, and a Crown and Sword (1720?? maybe).
It must have been the crappy blades I was trying to hone, because I put that carbo on the stones and had great success. Used the same procedure... reset the bevel, worked the 4K, then the 8k, and followed up with the .03 and .01 micron pastes, then normal stropping.
That sucker is SHARP, and did pass the HHT (which is a huge accomplishment for me!).
I dont know how she shaves as I was running too late this morning to have time to get a proper shave in, but I will try her out tomorrow and post back to let you know how it felt on the face.

See ? Real razors hone up differently don't they

Originally Posted by onimaru55

See ? Real razors hone up differently don't they

Yes, they do!

UPDATE: Shaved with it this morning, and If I had not known better, I would have sworn that I paid one of you fine gents to sharpen her up for me!
The shave was smooth, beautiful, and was a great way to kick off my Thursday.

Here's to getting it right