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I don't hand a finishing done yet, I did just get a barber hone, will this work as a finisher until I can get a new stone or should I just go off the 8k until I have a finisher? I currently have the norton 220/1000, 4000/8000, .5 chromium and diamond sprays? Thanks
-dan-
The barber hone or paste will likely give a finer/smoother edge than the 8k, nut you can get a great shave off just the 8k. My usual advice is not to go higher than the 8k until you can get a good shave off it. If your edge isn't where it needa to be off the 8k, a finer stone wont help you.
Basically what Dylan just said too, you already have a finisher :)
I keep reading not to go to a finer grit until you can get a good edge off an 8k. If you get a good edge off the 8k what do the finer stones get you? Also is there some number of shaves that take an edge that was finished on 12k down to the equivalent of an 8k?
Finer stones get you broke.
They also get the edge smoother and finer. Basically the difference between shaving hair and removing it with a squeegy effect.
Number of shaves for anything is highly subjective and i don't believe that an edge feels the same progressively as regressively.
Well I went as high as the 8k and chromium, it was sharp (not REAL sharp). Not the worst shave but not really great, need some more practice. Still at least this time the blade got sharper while I honed it and not duller like last time lol. Thanks for the tip, I'll try and get a good shave from the 8k before trying with a 12 or 16k.
-dan-
Was this from factory edge, off buffers, touch up, breadknife?
It was from one I tried to hone before and after that first try it was basically unshavable, so I think I am making progress. I got some tips from lynn this past weekend, so now I'm determined to get this right.
-dan-
Well, I can get a decent shave off of a 1k, but that doesn't mean I prefer it. The advice of not moving up from the 8k simply means that you should not try to fix a poor 8k edge with a higher grit. Most critically, you should not move up to any higher grits until the bevel is fully set, whether that is done on a 1k or higher grit hone.Quote:
Originally Posted by mesker
What moving up to a higher grit gets you is a sharper and more importantly, more comfortable shave. The 8k gets you most of the way there, but the higher grits do improve it.
Regarding your last question, no, there is no particular number of shaves that leads to a particular level of degradation. Also, the degradation of the edge is not going to revert it back to the level of a lower grit's edge. The degradation of the edge involves folding and microchipping. It is not a uniform reduction back down to the edge created by the lower grit.
Are you able to remove arm hair after setting the bevel? Along the entire edge length?
Do you have a loupe? How does the edge look?
It does remove hair after the bevel is set, I don't have anything to look at it with though.i think my main problem is getting a nice smooth stroke on the stone, I know there may have been a few when I lifted one end or the other and didn't have the blade completely flat.
You could be getting multiple bevels then. I find that if this happens they want to continue and are only repairable by resetting the bevel. Do you use a finger on the spine to help hold the blade on the hone? Not a lot of pressure.
Is this a smaller blade: shortened or 4/8?
I didn't think of using a finger on the spine, its a 5/8 I believe, I'll try starting over tomorrow with resetting the bevel.
You have everything in your possession that should give you a superlative shave. As all these fine gentlemen have all written in posts that they have made in the past.....set the bevel.....set the bevel......set the bevel! After the 8k the barbers hone should take you above the 8K to use the diamond sprays, on felt as Lynn suggests, to get a very good edge. Using a loupe along the way tells you a lot when first starting out.
Take Care,
Richard
Don't put your finger on the spine. That will just create other problems. Hone the way Lynn showed you and just practice keeping the blade flat. Occasional mis-strokes will not create multiple bevels, but they will interfere with your creation of a good bevel. Spend a little more time on the bevel setting and then work your way up the hones again.Quote:
Originally Posted by sinnfein
I don't think this is going too far off-topic: in reference to the arm hair test, one has to be careful not to put too much pressure on the skin when utilizing this test. All the instances of reading about the AHT on this site reference "popping" the arm hair off. I can come from a 1k with an edge that isn't quite up to snuff and shave arm hair using a little bit of pressure. However, with an edge that is where it should be sharpness wise, you can just barely touch skin and see arm hair slice right off. If you want a good test, and can find somebody to help train your thumb (yes, I learned this at the Mid-MO meet!) the "Alternative Thumb Pad Test" is great for evaluating an edge: ATPT
In response to the above stated that a shave can be had off a 1k: sure it can! But it is not very comfortable, for me at least. An 8k shave for me isn't all that bad, but I feel a world of difference after continuing on to a PHIG, starting with medium slurry and diluting to clear in about 40 strokes.
Until your post, I always considered that to be the thumb pad test, rather than the alternative. I don't think what is described as the TPT in the Wiki is of any use for razors.
Well I tried again last night, really paying attention to keeping the blade flat. It popped arm hairs with ease. Didn't get a chance to shave with it yet cause I shaved yesterday morning and didn't have enough growth to shave, and I woke up late this morning so had to shave at work with my DE, so ill find out tonight or tomorrow. But I think I did good......hopefully
-dan-
I could be mistaken, but I believe Lynn does the "normal" TPT in the wiki. I do the "alternate," but only when checking the bevel.Quote:
Originally Posted by Utopian
Success.....ish, well I was able to get a comfortable shave this morning, not quite as good as the shaves I get from the professionally honed razors but still good, just need to practice (which obviously means buying more razors). I think I'm off to a good start, now to buy more hones, do I need them? Probably not but now that I kinda know how to use them...must...buy...more...
-dan-
Just a bit of encouragement, Dan. I have trouble keeping a perfect stroke also - especially on a stone less than full size. Normal advice is to try with a stone in your weak hand, and keep the elbow/arm up - parallel to the floor. I think my best medicine has been to hone daily - which, yes, requires alot of blades. You WILL get it. Like Dylan said in another thread, hone up a couple hundred blades and many things get more clear. I'm at 148 as of last night. I went to a single pass shave w/ some touch ups so I'd have stubble to test edges on in the evening. The only prob is that the one pass is getting so good, there's still nothing to test with.
It'll come, and you'll love your edges. I have & use a coti, and asagi, and only now tried the Nani 12k. 'Gotta say that Nani is an incredible rock for the dollar. 'Wish I had gone Nani instead of the particular phig I have.
For goodness sake try it!Quote:
Originally Posted by sinnfein
An 8K edge can be a good edge for many.
If you find a good barber hone for a good price grab it.
Many barber hones are not better than 8K in my opinion
but can be used to get a better than 8k edge sometimes.