Thread: How sharp off the Norton 8K?

Getting an expertly honed razor is a great idea. Each individual has different hair, the key is knowing what your hair does vs a sharp blade.

I don't think I'm the only one that thinks like this but sharpness tests aren't something you pass or don't pass. Its a reactionary observation. You observe what the blade does in response to a test. Cutting arm hair is a good minimum baseline for me. Cutting hair confidently is a completely greater success. Its watching how the blade functions, sounds, pops (or lack thereof) etc. that should be evaluated.

Its possible to "pass" an HHT and have a horrible edge or vice a versa.

For your razor I'd simply remove more metal on 4K, then work your way back up.

I doubt your razors are sharp at all, simply because getting HHT sharp is pretty challenging for a while but I also suggest you learn the thumb testing procedures too.

I'd try just shaving and see where your face thinks your at.

Robert Williams also created a good test that was "control neutral", it had something to do with creating a curve of paper towel and trying to cut the paper towel. I'd suggest a search on that or perhaps a PM to him too. I don't have any personal experience with the technique though.

It's not the matter weather the razor will or will not cut the hair, but the cutting quality is what counts. You can slice a hanging hair and still get lousy shave.

One needs experience in the hanging hair test, to evaluate the quality of the cut. The razor cuts the hair effortlessly, sometimes it cuts it with a "pop", sometimes cuts it and fold it, and sometimes splice it.

Also, a valuable thing to observe during the hanging hair test is the amount of pulling sensation in the fingers holding the hair.

I, however, evaluate the razor (after stropping) by lightly floating or hovering it at the ends of my arm hair (brown). It always cuts it, but I get a really good shave when I hardly feel the hairs being cut, opposite to slight tingling or pulling sensation when the razor is less than sharp...



Nenad

So I guess the real trick is to get a sharp razor that shaves well and figure out a way to identify that sharpness that works for you. Whether it be doing a HHT with your own hair, or arm hairs, or getting to understand what the sharpness feels like on the pads of your fingers, etc.

Looks like the best thing to do is start with a sharp razor and correlate it to some kind identifying test that works for one personally.

One of the tough skills to learn for honing is *when to stop*. Figuring out a good test for "shave-readiness" is a key step towards this. Eventually you'll also learn to listen to the hone, so the hair tests decline in importance somewhat.

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

OK, I spent a little quality time with my Norton and a 5/8 Keen Kutter, and I think I'm making some progress.

I was able to get the blade to pass the HHT quite nicely off the 4K side of the Norton. I did about 10 strokes, starting with some light pressure and then easing off. When I tested it with a medium thickness hair, the free end went flying.

But I can't seem to maintain that edge once I go to the 8K. Ten light, light strokes on the 8K and it's back to snagging hairs and cutting partway through.

I even tried some backhoning on the 4K and 8K, and it didn't seem to help.

It seems counterintuitive. I doubt I'm making such a weak edge on the 4K that it can't take the 8K, because I've tried so many different approaches that I don't think the razors are overhoned. I don't see how I could use any less pressure. Maybe I'm junking up the edge by not keeping the razor flat enough.

But I did make some progress, I think. Thanks for the help everyone; I'll keep at it.

Josh

I think that if you spent more time testing by shaving, you would learn a lot more about honing. I have gotten magnificent shaves just from using the Norton 4K/8K alone.

Have fun.

Lynn