Thread: What is the Pyramid system?

Hello, all! Just now joined.
I recently got all my gear from classicshaving and I'm pretty pleased so far. The razor is a Dovo Inox and it came pretty sharp. But it didn't pass any of the tests you guys talk about, so I attemped to hone.
Bad idea. It went from pretty sharp to pretty dull! Well then I found out that my norton 4/8 needed to be lapped, so I did that and I think its flat now. My razor is starting to get a little more sharp, but still after quite a while on the hone its nowere close.
I've read lots of threads on lots of sites that mention this mystery called the Pyramid system of honing. But I can't find anywhere that actually outlines the system. Could someone please list it out in detail? Also, any additional pointers would be appreciated. I'm trying to learn to do this myself, before I have to break down and send it away to be professionally honed. Thanks in advance!

It is helpfull if you read the Honning forum from the beggining. Here's one of the first posts in it, should help you a bit:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=2809

Nenad

on the left of this page up top it says " HELP FILES"... lots of good stuff in there.. videos on how to hone and a PDF on the tests


file here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/compo...wnload/gid,42/

Thanks for posting the old link. I was kind of/sort of doing a pyramid with my two barber hones from Tilly. A medium Wester Bros. and a fine Lithide, both used dry. I just wasn't quite getting there. Then with the old file of the 11 step pyramid to guide me, I've finally got my Double Duck Dwarf up to shaving sharp! I did my 5/8 Henckels at the same time and I'll be using that one tonight to see where it stands. The DD isn't quite up to the Imperial I got from Lynn, but then I don't know that my honing skills will ever be at that level! Maybe I need to invest in one of Tony's pasted paddle strops?

Thanks for the info on the beginning of the thread

Update on the Henckels. Still not there yet. I don't think it's overhoned. It shaves, but pulls & doesn't get as close as my other three. I think I'll try another pyramid on it, but leave out radical step 5 w/ the 10 strokes on the medium hone. More later.

FWIW, I have found that the Henckels require more time on the hones. They seem to be of a harder temper than other makers. This is a good thing because it means that once you have them sharp they will stay sharp longer.

Just take your time, the razor will get sharp.

Originally Posted by dennisthemenace

Update on the Henckels. Still not there yet. I don't think it's overhoned. It shaves, but pulls & doesn't get as close as my other three. I think I'll try another pyramid on it, but leave out radical step 5 w/ the 10 strokes on the medium hone. More later.

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it. Went through the pyramid w/ the Henckels again last night, omitting step 5. Better on the thumb test, but I won't shave w/ it till this evening in prep for the third shift job.

Well, just used the Henckels. I shouldn't have skipped step 5! It's ALMOST there, but not quite. Though I brought my 1/2 Heljestrand into the bathroom for cleanup, I didn't need to use it. Did the whole shave w/ the Henckels. Maybe just some fine tuning on the Lithide at this point. I appreciate now, after taking off the goatee, just how hard it is to shave my chin!

Good to hear you're making progress. I suspect if you gradually lighten upon the pressure while honing to very nearly none at the end of the pyramid, that you'll get an even keener edge. That's if, whether mild, light or ultra light, you've kept the pressure even along the edge for each stroke. Keep at it!

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