Thread: Touch Up Question

Originally Posted by KenL

So here's my question:

Would it be a good idea to try 10 or so laps on the 8k, strop and shave to see if there's any improvement, then try my Chinese hone to see if there's any improvement in smoothness over the 8k? Essentially, hone on 8k, test. Finish on Chinese hone, test. Compare. I hope this makes sense. Basically I'm trying to isolate things. If I hone on 8k, then the Chinese hone, then strop and shave and something is off (which it most likely will be), I won't know where I went wrong.

Thanks for any feedback.


Ken


ps-I'm a newb, but I feel like my time on the Chinese hone was ok. I had good contact, just the weight of the blade on the stone, even strokes, etc.

Above statement will confuse you more. you will not get what you are looking for.
This is how system works in your case.
as you already mention your chinese 12k didn't bring the edge back?
any you don't want to mix up to find out where you went wrong?
then do this.
now hone on 8k make not ten at least 15-25 strokes .
strop and shave test see what happens. if you wont get what you are looking for then you will need to go down to 4k.
go for k and make 25-40 strokes. then come basck to 8k 10-30 strokes then you could shave test.
not satisfied you could make 10 more strokes and test the edge again. not in there then move to chinse 12k and make 100 strokes.
50 wont be enough.
shave test see how it will shave. good luck

Thank you all. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to get a really unpleasant shave off the 8k (although, since I'm new at this, there's still that possibility). The consensus seems to be that I can shave off the 8k if I want to gain an understanding/appreciation for what each hone does. I'll give it a shot in order to feel the difference between the 8k and whatever grit my Chinese hone is.

Thanks Adam_MA for posting the video! I have no illusions that I can use a hone like gssixgun, but I learned a lot from the video. I didn't know that, on a budget, it is possible to set a bevel on the 4k.

Thanks hi_bud_gl for your advice. When I typed my previous response, I questioned whether 10 strokes on the 8k would be enough. Thanks for giving me a specific number on the 8k.

Sorry for adding on another question, but while re-reading my original post, I realized that I made a comment about smoothness. Is it possible for a newcomer to be able to distinguish between sharp/smooth/not sharp? Or put differently, with how will I know if it's sharp and not smooth or just not sharp yet? Will I get a close, but slightly more uncomfortable/irritating shave?

Thanks again for your patience,

Ken

Your blade should shave comfortable. What i mean by that.
No pooling ,etc. you don't have to make 2 or more passes in same location or use pressure blade to cut hair.
while you shave you use pressure and that does give to you irritaiton or your blade is not sharp enough and you end up pushing blade against your skin.
you should not use pressure.