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

Just finished honing and shaving [link to SOTD post] with the Klas Törnblom (3:15 PM Sunday 1st of Januray 2012).

I must say I’m very happy with the results, esp given the 6 day growth. I had a plan to emulate the routing posted by jskiles, except double it for the hard Swedish steel, but abandoned it ½ way through; not because there was anything wrong with it, but because I could see an uneven bevel at the toe. I did most of that routine, though (thanks for the idea jskiles). I used tape on the spine, no marker pen, and a magnifying glass.

• I lapped the hone before use, I haven’t lapped it since I got it six months ago, but I’ve only used it maybe 10 times. The 8k was way off (I used a grid), the 4k side was OK.
• I then took the edges off a little again, washed it, then made a thick slurry on both sides with the Nagura cleaning stone, washing between sides. I did this just to make sure it was clean and free of any residual particles from the cheap lapping stone I’ve got. I washed all the slurry off before I used it and didn't hone with any slurry.
• 120 circles on 4k moderate pressure (yes, 120 ACTUAL count).
• 80 circles light pressure 4k.
• Checked bevel (I just held it up to the light and used the magnifying glass) fixed an uneven spot on the toe on one side by doing some aggressive circles.
• I then did 40 laps straight up and down. I did a few x strokes but abandoned that style for just straight up and down, blade angled, toe uppermost to the L, heel diagonally down to the R, flipping, of course, at the top as per normal. I like the feel of this stroke better than anything else, I use two hands, L index finger in the middle of the spine, R index finger near the pivot, little finger hooked around the scales, scales straight out from the blade.
• I then did the TNT, (it passed, really dragging and digging in) I then did another 40 light pressure on the 4k to bring the edge back after the TNT
• 40 8k moderate pressure. I did a TPT about here; I liked the results
• 40 8k light
• I then started the pyramid, really light and REALLY concentrating, 20 8k, 15 4k, 10 8k, 5 4k, 10 8k.
• The rest, including stropping, is in the SOTD for the first day of a better year (in a bit)...

LESSONS

1. I should lap more
2. I should clean the hone more
3. I should try to evaluate as I go more and adapt the plan to suit
4. My style of honing works for me. If I'm happy with it, I should continue to hold the razor in that manner and concentrate on the end result.
5. I had fun.

I'll do the same routine (halved) for the W&B, i.e. 60 circles, then 40, etc...