Thread: Need advice sharpening razor

I am trying to hone a razor: a 7/16 half hollow. I am using Lynn's video: http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...ideo-lynn.html. It uses 40 circles with firm pressure to reestablish the bevel 1-2 times on 4K. Then to hone, 40 circles with light pressure, and 40 circles with no pressure. Then 5-10 x strokes on the 8K.

I am not getting it quite sharp enough. It still pulls a lot. Using a Norton 4/8K. The razor has a slight smile, more at the toe. The question is do I need to use a different technique than the circles for this because of the smile, or do I need more pressure? What is firm pressure?

Appreciate any advice. Just starting to sharpen.

Thanks

Originally Posted by binder

Using a Norton 4/8K. The razor has a slight smile, more at the toe. The question is do I need to use a different technique than the circles for this, or do I need more pressure? What is firm pressure?

Thanks

This is the weakness inherent in the internet, we can't see, feel, hear, or touch, the razor or the hones we can try and help as much as possible but sooner or later you have to work this out on your own..

There are a few guys up by you in Calgary maybe one will pipe in and you can sit down with them in person because that is the best way to learn...

Many people love to say "This ain't rocket science" I agree because rokect science is a science and therfore has rules Honing a razor is highly subjective from start to finish and you have to develop the touch to feel your way through the process...


To try and answer, shooting from the hip so to speak because I don't even know what condition the razor is starting in that you are honing, You have to do the circles until the razor edge feels sharper than any knife you have ever touched.. Then do about 20 x strokes.. the razor should pass either the TNT or the AHT, then and only then is the bevel set properly and you can take the razor where it needs to go

From where your at now it sounds like you don't have enough 4k strokes in the "recipe". Add about 60 4k strokes reducing pressure all along the 60 repetitions. Those can be straight down the hone. Then add some 4 k with an x pattern, let's say 30 strokes. Then move to 8K and use light pressure, moving to no pressure. For 8 k let's do an iteration of 30 strokes and see if things are better. If that fails then it's probably time to reset the bevel correctly. keep banging out that entire cycle 2-3 times. If all that fails repost and let's regroup. If all that fails you need to look at the bevel closely after 8 k and try to read the bevel to see whats going on, or post a picture and we will tell you.

I tried the advice. I ended up going with gssixgun after trying AFDavis11. I did the circles until I got it sharp I think and did the x strokes. I could shave arm hair, not sure how well that should be. Then went to the 8K for 30 x strokes. The razor is sharper, but it still pulls. What would be the next thing, should I continue on the 8K or do I need to go back to the 4K. I also have a 1200 King stone that I could use.

I just put up a new Vid that I think might really help, it is Myself and Speedster who is a brandy new honer working a Norton 4/8 he is on the hones so I think it might be a bit more help for you new guys watching somebody else brand new honing a razor instead of just all us "experts" that sometimes make it look a bit to easy There are some tricks at the end that should help you get the absolute most outta the 8k...
You also have to watch that bevel set because if the razor isn't equally sharp at that point in time then you can have sharper spots and not so sharp spots which can cause pulling ie: an unequal edge..


gssixgun Straight Razor Honing with speedster from SRP - YouTube