praise for magic marker test

I just used the Magic Marker Test (mmt) for the first time last night and I'm really impressed by it's usefulness. I have been working on a nicked/wavy bevel and was having trouble. I thought that I was there already on the bevel, but decided to check using the mmt. Turns out I was wrong and there was still a significant uneven area towards the middle. Now I am working on evening out the blade and I have a sure guide to how much work I have to do. As a beginner to this, I really recommend the mmt to everybody here. If you are having trouble on a blade, just put some magic marker (I used red) on the edge and hone for one perfect stroke. The parts that still have ink are the parts you are not "hitting" on the hone. Then you can see whether trying different strokes or hones will help the situation, or how much metal you need to take off. I love this test now and I am going to be using this most of the razors I hone.

----Michael

It is also my favourite technique when things don't go as expected - a very handy method for visualising the hone/edge interface. Other things that can help also are watching the little wave of water in front of the edge as it moves down the hone, and when you get more used to your stones, the feel of the razor as it moves along can also indicate what is happening.

But yes, the Magic Marker is a tremendously helpful tool.

James.

I use it every time I set a bevel now to figure out the best strokin motion...

Strokin' Music Video - YouTube

It's one of those simple little things that translate into much results.

Thanks for this. Sounds like using "dykem" for machining metal on a lathe or mill.

It's amazing how something used in one hobby can be used in another and much simpler and cheaper too.

DYKEM Staining Colors