Thread: New to honing - and confused!

Whew! That's it! I'm gonna get some groceries with the fiance and then get some stuff done around the house so I can get my hones out without any guilt! :P Michael, I appreciate your offer, and if this doesn't work out by the end of today, I'll send you a PM. Thanks again, guys!

Originally Posted by gssixgun

It has been my experience through quite a few tests that the Taped bevel can be changed to a Non-taped bevel with about 20 laps on a Norton 4k stone or equivalent it is rather tiny..

All above info is for 1 layer of tape it changes for multiple layers...

Yeah, I was talking about starting with one layer of tape, then going to two, then going back to one layer. When I've done that, it always seems that I'm honing behind the edge and have to try for a bit to get it to where the magic marker comes off the edge.

Of course I've only tried that on a few razors and haven't really tested it out on purpose. It's just based on my limited experience.

Michael

That MM test is fantastic Michael it really shows what is going on at the edge, even to old fart eyes like mine

The only thing I can add is that you might want to play around with MMs. Some seem to leave ink that peeks off like a tarp (so to speak). Sharpie brand work well and applies a stain to the edge rather than something more like a layer of paint.

I hope that makes sense.

Any more, I just use a 10x lens and I know what the s watch pattern of my stone looks like...so I watch how those scratches overtake the edge.

One final morsel I will share...and this might be a bit advanced...but make all your strokes the same way, then take a different stroke to see where your scratches are (example: if you are using x strokes with the heel forward you will leave angled scratches...so the do a couple straight strokes with heel straight or even trailing if you don't have a shoulder and you should see where your stones are working).

I rewatched the honing section in Lynn's DVD yesterday and gave the razor another go - it'll pop some hairs but not evenly across the length of the blade... I will say, I'm a bit embarrased, but I will share my mistakes so other new honers may not repeat mine.

First, besides starting with small circular strokes to set the bevel, I wasn't using the regular X pattern. I just kept going back and forth on the stones, which is probably why there were some areas wearing more than others.

Second, I was using just a bit of pressure - bad technique after sharpening old pruners and loppers at my regular job on an old oilstone. Also, I think I was using just a bit of pressure because I was afraid of not holding the razor flat against the stone. This probably just enhanced what was already going on with the uneven wear from not using an X pattern.

Third, and this is where I really feel like an idiot - the blade wasn't warped at all. :P I tested it using the glass top on my coffee table. After retesting for a warped edge on tile several times, I confirmed that the blade is indeed, straight as an arrow.

I was, however, able to hone an ERN Ator razor that I've cleaned up and I would say is in shave ready condition. I tested the razor on some arm hair and it shaved nice and smooth. I'm just waiting for my face whiskers to grow some before I have a real shave with it.

I'd like to send my Oxford razor to someone who could really get the edge on it that the razor deserves. I'm just a bit frustrated with this one - although it has taught me quite a lot! Thanks again.

It's this type of trial and error that leads to learning.

That being said I'm sorry that it didn't work out for you this time. don't feel bad about it. It's just part of the hobby.

Michael

Did the razor pop hairs after the circular strokes to set the bevel? I test mine on my leg hairs, and I want it to shave well at that stage before I move on. You'll see videos of guys using one hand to hone; I can't do that, I always feel that the blade will rock and I'll end up just dragging the edge along the edge of the hone. I use two hands, but really there's very very little pressure, esp at the end. The Magic Marker (MM) test is really good for seeing if you're 'hitting' all parts of the bevel. You don't need to get an even bevel all the way along. I'm no expert but I can keep all my razors shave ready and have never had to send any out to be honed (so far )...