Thread: Norton troubles

Sounds to me like the bevel is NOT set on that blade. I would take it to a lower grit to set the bevel before going back to the 4000. You can polish the edge out all you want, but unless the bevel is good, you won't be shaving with it.
Do you have a lower grit stone to use for bevel setting?

Sounds like you have a spine geometry problem. Since we don't know the condition of the razor starting out, it's pointless to tell us what you've done. You did say it was dull, but that isn't actually very concise. What you say about he current condition is valuable. So, add tape or work the geometry issue. Then go back to honing. You say you did x patterns but your description leaves that info out.

Circles are good, but we all have idiosyncrasies and thus I would suggest going down the hone, heel forward, to minimize any inconsistencies you may be applying with circles. You need to sense the razor getting sharper, along the entire edge.

In the description you provided there is too much "pressure" and not enough strokes with no pressure.

You must fix all the geometry issues first.

Hope this helps a little.

Your threads been moved. So the order for you to work in is: fix geometry, set bevel, hone and perfect the bevel, polish and sharpen. So you've got some work to do before you get to the "I can't get it sharp" post.

Welcome to SRP!

Unfortunately there are so many things it could be - geometry as Alan suggests, a lower grit hone maybe as Coach suggests, your technique.. All anyone can say with certainty is that is needs more work, probably at the lower grit end.

Here are several generic tips:

1. Try the magic marker test: paint the edge (both sides) with magic marker/sharpie, and hone normally for a few strokes. Take a look at where the marker is wearing off. Any unevenness is either you or the geometry or both. You want that marker to wear off evenly along the edge;

2. You lapped the norton, right?;

3. Watch the water in front of the edge as it moves along the hone. This can help you keep a more even stroke;

4. Read all of the JaNorton thread if you haven't already. There are more options open to you than circles;

5. Concentrate on the edge on the hone - there was a good thread recently about torquing the edge when honing by Blix - might be useful for you;

6. Patience and persistence. Many of us learned to hone on a Norton 4/8 (especially us older-timers). You can do it with this stone. You just need to identify the issue as best you can and be persistent!

Good luck!

James.

Just to be clear, I also agree with Coach that going to a lower grit would help. It's not a requirement, but it's better than spending a lot of time on 4k.

Agree with recommendations given.

Picture of the razor would definitely be nice to have a basis for wear and condition.

First time honing ever and you expected???? Frustration is your enemy when learning to hone. Learning to hone is the key. The pressures will come, but keeping the razor flat on the stone and bevel setting before going any further will net you the most success.

Have fun.

Thanks for the welcome and suggestions.

Unfortunately, I only have Norton 4/8 and DMT 325 at the moment but I'm willing to sit there and hone as long as needed so long as I get some feedback from the razor that I'm on the right path. Thing is, I keep honing and honing and once it reaches a certain sharpness, it won't go further. The edge is sharp enough that it will cut hair at the base with lather; that's the best I can describe it. I don't know what else to try as I've tried varying degrees of pressure, followed water displacement to make sure nothing is slipping under the blade, and twisted blade towards the edge.

I'll get some pictures of the razor when I can. I'm new to honing so I'm not sure what to look for. The blade is from Larry at whipped dog. It came sharp and aside from slight aesthetic imperfections (bit of rust, etc.), I see nothing wrong with it. It does appear as it has some hone wear on the sides of the spine but I see no unusual defects. I specifically got this razor to practice honing. It's a bit discouraging to have to spend so much time researching and investing in equipment only to have such difficulties. However, I'm persistent and willing to put in work to get the technique right.

I'll study some more videos and look over the janorton thread again. Thanks again for help.

Here are the photos of the razor. Any help appreciated!

More photos