Thread: Honing Blues ( Have razor's will travel)

I can not get this honing down at all.I have a Norton 4/8 K and a Chinese 12k with a DMT 325.I have watched all the videos and have used several different razors with different techenics and I just can not get this down.Is there anyone around the Houston area or within a 100 miles that would be willing to show me what I am doing wrong?
Thanks for your help
Sharps

I'm not close to you, but I can tell you that honing does take time, patience and practice. If you can find someone local to you to help you, it will be a big help. Patience and practice!

Have a look at: Local Help - Straight Razor Place Wiki, you never know... And once you're more experienced, don't forget to add yourself...

You need to set the bevel on a 1k or your 4k.
Mark the edge with a sharpie and make x strokes or circles. You need to keep your elbow high to hone the tip properly. Most new honers get a sharp middle and heel but a duller tip due to low elbow.

Stay in the 1k until you can cut your leg hair above skin from heel to tip.
You can set the bevel on a 4k but it takes longer.
Do not go to a 12k stone until you can hone!

Mrsell is on here and he's a wonderful teacher. Email him!

Where are you from? On mobile app atm sorry

Master the Norton 4/8K first before going to the C12K. The Norton is easy for newbies and will give you a decent edge. The C12K is difficult at best and gives most people fits. I gave up on mine and got a Naniwa 12K. The Nani's are easy to master like the Nortons, unlike the Chinese 12K stone. Go slow across the stone, keep it feather light, and concentrate. You'll get it.

Originally Posted by straightrazorheaven

Where are you from? On mobile app atm sorry

He's in Texas...

I have shaving with straights now almost 2 years and about 6 months ago I decided I was ready to start learning how to hone.All my razors were sharpend by a pro and after about 4 months of shaving I am ready for a fresh hone .I dont use the pasted stops at all.To begin with I would use the 8k to freshen the razors up after 4 months and this would work fine for about 3 weeks ,and I new I would have to drop down to the 4k and come back up .So I would go down to the 4 k ,and that is were I just can not gain any ground at all.I have tried resetting the bevel on the 4k with the circles and know luck.I will be honest this is one most frustrating things that I have tried and I guess its because I have been sharpening my hunting knifes for years ,but these razors are a whole new ball game.I was really hoping to find someone local to show me what I am doing wrong but I dont think thats going to happen.One thing is for sure, I will get it but I dont now how long it will take me or how many razors I will screw up ,but I am dead set on getting this down.
Thanks For your replys
Sharps

Sharps - do youtube! It's a great way to see how it's done! Very helpful! I know you'll get it! And asking for help is a great thing if you can get it - if not the videos are truly a great way to go!!

Good luck!!

Sharps

It's all about pressure... and that is not something that can be communicated in writing or even on video. Disburden's advise is spot on, learn the 1K, get it sharp at 1K, use the sharpie.

The sharpie is your friend and will give you a lot of feed back about how pressure is effecting the bevel and the edge. Even pressure and Sharpie ink, it does take some time to learn.