Thread: Oh no!!!...Another question about Pyramids

I just got through watching the Honing section of the World of Straight Shaving DVD. My question is this. If I know the bevel is set at the 1K level, could the relatively small pyramid that Lynn demonstrated on the DVD really bring the edge to shave ready. I am sure the bevel is set on the razor that I tried honing my self (1K,4K,8K), and I actually did shave with it with some success, meaning it cut hair, but was not very comfortable. It left me as razor burned as I was the first time I ever tried the cheap disposables and thought I could get away with as much pressure as my Mach 3 gets. I eventually want to get the Mach 3 out of the rotation. Thanks again for all of the information.

straightshot,

Have a peek at the superb video tutorials by GSSixgun :

YouTube - gssixgun

He demonstrates a pyramid in the Norton tutorial.

Good luck !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

[QUOTE=straightshot;762154]I just got through watching the Honing section of the World of Straight Shaving DVD. My question is this. If I know the bevel is set at the 1K level, could the relatively small pyramid that Lynn demonstrated on the DVD really bring the edge to shave ready. I am sure the bevel is set on the razor that I tried honing my self (1K,4K,8K), and I actually did shave with it with some success, meaning it cut hair, but was not very comfortable.

Straightshot,

To answer your question Yes. What you have to ask yourself is what are your expectations? The basic 1-4-8 pattern is to teach consistency with blade pressure, angle and the stones performance characteristics.

The bevel set is the foundation of a shave ready edge. Blade steel, shape of blade and the stones you use will all contribute to the final finished edge. Practice with some inexspensive razors. There are many ways to enhance the edge off 8K using strops, pasted, sprayed etc, etc. Experiment to see what you prefer. Keep at it.
MIke

The conceptual pyramidal structure enhances sharpness beyond the keenness improving qualities of the rectangular conceptual structure of the progressive honing system. A rhomboidal or trapezoidal conceptual structure combines the best elements of the rectangular and pyramidal concepts. Or maybe not.

If you are comfortable that the bevel is set a pyramid from 10 down or 7 should normally do the trick on the 4K8K. 10-10, 7-7, 5-5, 3-3, 1-3, 1-5. If you are close you can always try an additional 1-3 and 1-5 and repeat the 1-5 until you get where it is comfortable for you. In addition you can go to a finishing stone after the first pyramid and do 10 no pressure X strokes and go to pastes or sprays if you want.

Have fun,

Lynn

. . . and that Dear readers is likely the most accurate recipe for sharpening a straight razor that has ever been written.

I think that I will give the 7 down a try on the old Jonathan Crosse. I am confident the bevel is set, and now am working on getting the razor shaveable. Once I get there on the 8K stone, I plan on trying som chromium oxide spray to refine the edge. Sound like a good plan? I am now after a shave comparable to my SRD sharpened razor. Once I get there I will be happy with my skills, even if it takes forever and hundreds of razors to get me there.
I know I might be hijacking my own thread here, but does anyone have any tips for steadying the hand while honing, I need to learn to keep the razor flat without using a second hand.

I decided to forgo the 7 down pyramid, and give my new CrOx strop (my old scalpmaster strop with SRD CrOX spray on it) a try. I did about 15 laps on that, then 10 on fabric and 30 on the new SRD Latigo. I got that razor to pass a HHT, something that I have not been able to due with any of my razors before. I will shave with it in the morning if I get up early enough to do a straight shave, and let you all know how it works out. Worse comes to worse, I still have my new Dovo ready and waiting. Thanks guys I am having fun with this. I am going to go look at finishing hones now, and look for a razor that needs a lot of edge work, just to see if my skills are there and I didn't just get lucky. I may be years away from honemeister status, but you start every journey with the first step.