Thread: The Famous/Infamous Norton 4/8 "JaNorton 2012"

There is alot of great stuff coming out of this thread. Even though I am not part of it I am looking forward to trying out this stuff on my Norton this weekend. Thanks gentlemen.

A little family history:
My Grandfather was C. John Ryan, a civil engineer.
He created many things in his lifetime and worked on many projects including B17 and B29 Bombers, M61 Vulcan gatling gun, above and below ground nuclear devices...
His crowning glory was being the chief engineer of the Hubble Space Telescope.
He used to tell us:

"You are only as good as your instruments."

Fast forward to JaNorton 2012.
I joined this thread to learn straight razor honing, and by next Wednesday I will be the proud owner of my first Norton 4/8k.
I have collected many 'instruments' over the years (including my straights), and I thought this one might be of interest to you.
It is an early 70's Olympus Tool Maker's Microscope.



I was able to capture some initial images of my razor's edge.
Know that I have been shaving with this razor, exclusively, for three years, with no hone, and only a thick bit of leather that I scalvaged for a strop.
You can imagine it's not a pretty sight under the scope--it does shave, nonetheless, and I love it!
Forgive this first hand held image and video through the ocular. They too will improve when I post again.





I personally want to thank gssixgun for his informative honing videos, your generosity is taking many of us to a higher level.

Sincerely,
Hex
aka HexAngler
aka Eric Ryan

Don't want to clutter the thread but I'm getting great results with Hamburg Ring and Otto Bush Weltmaster. I can't believe how much I have learned doing this exercise. Will report in next week....Thanks Glen!!!

Originally Posted by BanjoTom

Don't want to clutter the thread but I'm getting great results with Hamburg Ring and Otto Bush Weltmaster. I can't believe how much I have learned doing this exercise. Will report in next week....Thanks Glen!!!

You're certainly not cluttering up the thread with a relevant post!



Todays shave with the Globusmen I honed last night was excellent as predicted.

Some interesting things this past week...

Been doing a fair bit of razor testing on customers razors but I have been getting in at least one pass or so on the Bengall with all the test shaves..

It is interesting to try and feel the differences, my customers did not sign up for JaNorton so I have been honing their edges in my usual ways..

I am going to try and shoot the second vid tomorrow on the Henckels when I hone it up, have a few tricks I want to try during it



I can't believe the weatlh of info coming out of this thread already, I can only imagine how much more it will grow throughout the month.

Glen, I can already say if I had to, I'd be super happy with a couple hollow ground razors and the Norton for the rest of my life.... It's that good.
Buuuut, where's the fun it that? Haha

For tomorrows shave I gave the Globusmen 10 laps on the Norton 8k with lather, it will be interesting how that works out.

Although I have been getting acceptable shaves off the 8k, this morning I tried something different. I had read Tim Zowada's "two-bevel honing method", and decided to try it. 10 laps on the 8k with an additional two layers of tape, followed by 30 laps on clean linen and 60 on leather.

I can't say the difference was phenomenal, but the shave was closer and more comfortable.

Even this early in the month, I'd have to admit that a Norton 4/8 could be the only stone you need.

Thanks to Glen for having this idea.

Rick

Alright so question for the group......I have been working on the Boker I picked for this month and it doesn't seem to want to take an edge all the way across. The middle and toe are doing great and was so excited when I FINALLY got it to cut hair I almost shaved my whole arm!! Hahaha but I can't seem to get the heal to grab. I've tried putting a bit more pressure when doing the strokes but it hasn't seems to help very much. Since I am/was a TOTAL noob to going any of the more experienced (really anyone here is more experienced than I so anyone) have any tricks and/or tips that I could try.

Thanks! And as frustrating as it can be I am having a blast learning!!

Ben,

I'd try canting your heel forward about 30 degrees, and putting your finger on top of the cutting edge (on the blade). You won't need lots of pressure, you'll just be giving it a little push.

Also, before you stroke, put the whole blade on the stone and look at it.....when the spine is in contact, is the heel even touching? Maybe you need to alter your stroke style from a general up/back to a rolling X.??? Do this first...then try canting it forward.

Today had my 2nd shave with the Puma and last night i did a 1/3 1/5 on it and not a big improvement.The shave was ok not
bad but i still think i can get more out of it! my second one the geneva i did the same honing and that needs work for sure,
that was uncomfortable. Definately a good learning experiences.