Thread: Honing Success!

So I got the Norton Combo a few months back (pond, flattening stone, 220/1k, 4/8k stones), and after some initial frustration, I reread threads and re-watched videos until I put some really nice edges on my Fili 12 and Improved Eagle.

FINALLY, a few months later, after months of maintaining the edges with CrOx, lots of stropping with colored newsprint, linen and leather (and the occasional Swaty touch-up), they obviously needed to go back to the stones-yay! Much like last time, I seemed to go backward after 20 or so passes on the 8k, then some experimental pyramiding. The Fili finally responded to the standard 4/8k pyramid very well; just like last time, I seemed to get better results on both edges with tape and really zoning in in a zen-like way to what the edge was doing/how it was responding at all times (TPT, visually, popping leg hairs, etc.). After a shave test, the Fili feels like it needs a bit more work, but I'm pretty sure I can get it there.

The Improved Eagle is tricky to hone-it even gave Sham trouble! But going by his advice, I reset the bevel on the 1k, then on to the 4k using rolling X's until it was popping hairs effortlessly. Some intuitive pyramiding between 4/8k, then 8 or so CrOx strokes, followed by the usual 30/50 linen/leather stropping regimen, produced the effortless, nearly magical shave I just got. Per all the honemeisters' advice, I think I'm really getting most of what I can get out of the 8k; I'm not even sure how a finisher could have improved tonight's shave much, but I'll probably get one anyway, just for fun.

Anyway, I just finished one of my smoothest shaves yet with the Improved Eagle gliding effortlessly through T&H Almond (lovin' their sample pack!). I thought I'd share my success, and my increasing confidence with my newbie honing efforts. Thanks for all your guidance SRP!

Aaron

Congratulations! It only gets better from where you are now. Sounds like there's a 12K in your future.

Congratulations Great Job.
Buying stones will never end.
it is just similar to Mag nite .
As long as you are enjoying honing you should be fine.
GL

Dat's da way ya doit!

Big 'Grats! You have every good reason to be proud. Its a great pleasure to shave w/ your own edges. It'll get better from here.

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

But going by his advice (Sham)...

I will stop you right there...

Sham doesn't know a single thing about honing, period, end of story. He knows a gazillion things about it. His knowledge and ability to get the best out of each and every stone is simply amazing. Honing is like an addiction in itself, much less the HAD. I foresee your bank account taking a few hits in the near future...

Naniwa SS 12K is definitely the next one you should look at.

Similarly, I recently got myself a set of hones (Norton 220/1k, 4k/8k. Lapped them Friday eve and tried my hand at honing yesterday. While the edges are greatly improved, I've got a bit more learning to do. Thanks for sharing your success! I'm looking forward to the learning process and it's great to hear from others who are learning as well.

"Per all the honemeisters' advice, I think I'm really getting most of what I can get out of the 8k; I'm not even sure how a finisher could have improved tonight's shave much, but I'll probably get one anyway, just for fun."

YES !!!!!
That makes two such posts this week that I have read, Congrats on getting it right...

Congrats Aaron! I'm not too far behind you on honing. I bought a Chosera 1K, and Shapton 4K, 8K, and 16K a few months back. My first trial was on a no-name $8 Solingen I picked up at an antique store in Georgia. I got it all shiny using my new buffer and then honed it up. Is it as good of an edge as one Lynn or Glenn puts on a razor? Of course not! But isn't it a great feeling to know that you can get a close comfortable shave off of something you did all by yourself?

"Sounds like there's a 12K in your future." "Naniwa SS 12K is definitely the next one you should look at."

Thanks all for the feedback, guys. I will probably get a finisher at some point, and I haven't even started with the naturals!

And I have to say it again, Glenn. It was mostly your videos (and Sham's advice) that got me through, including the little side-swipe at the end of your stroke, flipping the wrong way-all your habits.

Good to see you honing, too, Greg. I hope you're getting in some time with the fly-rod. Aaron

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

Greg. I hope you're getting in some time with the fly-rod.

Unfortunately not - Hopefully I can get up to the Little Red, White, or Norfork in Arkansas this fall.