Thread: how do you know when to move on to the next grit

Lots of good info here! For me, if the bevel is not set, I will hit the 1k, and once the whole edge passes the TNT, I will make a couple more passes just in case my nail dulled the edge a bit.

Then I move up to a finer stone. IMO, once the bevel is set, the hard part is done, and, again, IMO, it's just polishing from there on out. All you are really doing is polishing that edge to remove the scratches produced from the previous stone. Once you have the whole edge looking the same, and the scratches aren't getting any better, move on to the next stone. Rinse and repeat as high as your system takes you. And as stated above, once you get the bevel set, the test that matters the most is the shave test. If you are happy, then that's all that matters right?

I don't think there is a way that shows you when to pass to the next step. Experience is the best way to learn this. Not only with razors, with everything that needs to be sharp. If this is your first time and the razor is expensive, try it for some knifes, and then with razors. Yes, depending on the steel, there is big difference. Vanadium or Molybdenum containing steels get much finer than plain high carbon steels. Don't rely too much to the HHT or TPT tests, the real test is the shaving.

The understanding when to move on develops with practice, and getting to know your stones.
I use magnification to tell when the razor is ready to move to the next grit. As a beginner I used to look at the bevels after every grit, but after many honed razors, I now only pay attention to the bevel setting step and the finishing step, I never look at he bevels during the intermediate steps unless there is some problem that I need to track.

The thing that one should note by reading all these posts, is that many people started out honing the same way as you are, by using all the tests they could figure out, and then using the ones that worked for each one of us... You will start to eliminate the tests that don't work for you as you progress though your honing journey, but basically you are going to have to do what the rest of us did, and figure out which ones work for you...

Until the NC meet of 09 I honestly thought that the AHT was foolproof, it was working for everyone who had tried it, but at that meet there was a guy that it didn't work on at all... I learned at that time, every test has a weakness, and every test is not universal... use them all at the beginning so you can figure out which are going to work for you the best...

Also read back through these posts and realize that the guys are using at least 3 of the 5 senses to figure the edge, haven't heard of the taste or smell test yet They are looking, feeling, and listening to determine when they think their edge is ready to move on...

The two things that are the hardest for new honers to learn is when to change the hone or the slurry (cutting power) and when to stop honing Take the time to enjoy the process it ain't a race it really is a journey...

How fun would this be if it was really easy? Not much.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Until the NC meet of 09 I honestly thought that the AHT was foolproof,

what is the AHT ?


thanks

Originally Posted by christophe

what is the AHT ?


thanks

Arm hair test. Trying to cut arm hairs. Some people just mow them down, others try to get the hairs to pop. I try to get the hairs to cut and drop dead on the spot. If you can stabilize the hand that is holding the razor by using a finger to keep your hand from shacking, I try to cut just one hair at a time and see how it reacts. Some people that have lots of arm hair try to cut the hairs above the skin. My arm hairs are spare so I have to live with one hair at a time.

My arms dont have hair anymore