Thread: I did it!

I just boughht a factory new Dovo, it arrived in the mail today, and I just honed it until it passed the hht with flying colors. It only took 4 hours!

I learned a hell of a lot from it too. I couldnt get it to pass the hht off the 1.2k DMT, or the 8k spyderco and I was getting frustrated. As soon as I moved up to the 1μ pasted strop, it was doing it within 5 minites. I have a razor I bought from Lynn, so I had something to compare it to, and it just wasn't matching up.

I'd never created an entirely new bevel before with just bench stones. I noticed that the blade was microscopically curved like a smile, so I was getting a bevel more easily at the ends on one side of the blade, and at the center on the other, so I kept moving back and forth between the 1.2k and the 325 until it looked acceptable (Im not sure it'll ever be perfect, At least not without removing much more metal). One thing that surprised me was how easy ot is to go from 1200 to 8000. I thought it would be slow, but with water it took right to it.

I cant wait until I get my .5 and .25μ pastes in the mail. This thing is going to rock.

My Dovo has the same problem. I only have a norton 4/8 and I can't seem to get to where I like with that. I really need a bevel setter and some finishing stuff. Although, I don't have the funds to acquire more gear so I'm kinda stuck. Not sure where I'm gonna go from here.

I hope you have done great job and your blade will shave as you like.
My doubts.
you used 325? why?
have you ever seen anyone else to tell this?
1200 is i assume dmt plate
Very aggressive cutter i can accept this .
You next move is 8k? again lets say norton 8k.
you jump from 1200 to 8k and edge is fine?
too much to jump but in the other hand dovo has quite soft temper.
now you are waiting for pastes? what is the reason?
your 8k edge should be good enough to give a good shave.
hope everything works out for you.
gl

Originally Posted by WhiskerBiscuit

My Dovo has the same problem. I only have a norton 4/8 and I can't seem to get to where I like with that. I really need a bevel setter and some finishing stuff. Although, I don't have the funds to acquire more gear so I'm kinda stuck. Not sure where I'm gonna go from here.

Get some 1000 grit and 2000 grit wet-or-dry sandpaper. Cut it up, put it on a piece of plastic (or glass) cut to "hone size" -- quick-and-dirty bevel setting "stones".

There's an article in the Wiki on using micro-abrasive paper, if you want authorization for this technique. But remember:

. . . It's not _easier_ to use sandpaper -- just cheaper.

Charles

I have had many new dovo's, and to be fair some of them shave ok some not so ok. I realy would advice you try your finest hones first, or just touch up on paste. i just used 1.0,0.25,crox for a change on a new dovo. thats all it took. the edge was absalutley flawless. i did 10 laps on each paste . may be even 10 laps on crox would work. use your hones when paste fails.

I shaved with it this morning, it was the best shave Ive ever had. Closer and more comfortable than what Ive been getting.

I used the 325 because the bevel wasnt setting fast enough on one side, so I wanted to remove metal faster. I did maybe a grand total of 6 strokes on it. I have the 325/1200 DMT stone. I then moved up to the ultra fine Spyderco, which I understand is about 8000 for more like 50. I already have the 1μ paste, I used it to finish. Its mirror shiny now. Im just waiting on the other pastes to get an even finer edge, just cuz

4 hours is an awful long time to spend honing a brand new razor.

As long as it performs for you now the way you want that's the important part. However, if I bought a new razor and it needed that much I would return it as a defect.

It was the first time Ive honed a razor, I was using "only" facetiously. It's difficult to convey tone in text, I had hoped the exclamation point made it evident

I realize 4 hours is a long time. By contrast, I did a kitchen knife right after in 40 minutes, (the vg-10 damascus laminated offering from Ikea, which, incidentally, I very highly recommend. At 50$ its a steal) which had a very poor bevel that needed complete resetting as well.

I am glad you were successful in your first honing, however...please, get yourself a norton 4/8K or naniwa 3/8K combination stone as soon as you can if you intend on continuing your honing adventure. Diamonds are great for the Ladies & lapping...however not so good for razors as they tend to cause micro-chipping & take away much more steel than is needed. I don't know of any veteran honer who uses them (diamond stones) other than for repairs. Yes, I agree that they are great for kitchen knives...but comparing a knive to a razor is like comparing a go-cart to an indy car.

Originally Posted by WhiskerBiscuit

My Dovo has the same problem. I only have a norton 4/8 and I can't seem to get to where I like with that. I really need a bevel setter and some finishing stuff. Although, I don't have the funds to acquire more gear so I'm kinda stuck. Not sure where I'm gonna go from here.

Hi WhiskerBiscuit

If your really low on funds you can get this Norton bench stone from home depot and use the fine side to set your bevel (I have been using it for a while now with out problems. It sets a bevel really quick. Works fine soaked in water like your other Norton stones also. No need for the oil.)

6 x 2 x 3/4 In. Bench Stone-87933 at The Home Depot

Then you can go to amazon and pick up some dovo red/black paste. Make a paddle out of a old leather belt (preferably with a rough leather back) you don't need and scrap wood. Use contact cement to glue the belt to the scrap wood with the rough side up and apply the dovo black and you have a nice finisher.

Amazon.com: Dovo Strop Paste, Red and Black Two Part Set: Health & Personal Care

All in all about 21-22 dollars for a bevel setter and a finisher.