Thread: Question on honing.

I am having trouble wrapping my head around the progression of stones and pressure. I have a Norton 330/1000, a 4k/8k, and a chinese natural. My question is how much pressure do you use when you set the bevel? When you progress through the stones do you use less and less pressure as you go along or do you just use the weight of the blade after the bevel is set? Do you only do the circles during the bevel setting process or do you continue with x strokes. I have seen multiple videos but most are on the Norton 4k/8k or one stone honing or just setting a bevel on a 1k. Any videos that go through a progression of stones similar to mine?

Honing is easy LOL

Knowing how hard to press and when to stop takes some figuring out

There is not a single answer but the only time to use any amount of pressure is during a bevel set, once the bevel is set it is all about light pressure.
Lynn and I both have several full progression Vids out there that should show the pressure changes..

Don't flex the blade
Don't create a Burr
If the edge is micro-chipping you are pressing too hard

These are just a few limiting factors

I got one pretty damn close last night and am going to try and shave with it in a minute. I tried again today with a razor that was in much better shape and didn't have much success. Maybe I am trying too hard not to over hone. After the bevel is set do I continue with only x strokes for the rest of the way? Thats the impression I get from the videos.

Looks like I did it!! Shaved with the two I honed over the last couple of days and it went great. No tugging or nicks. I think it could still be a little sharper but I am pretty happy where I am so far. Sure is fun.

There ya go

Congrats


And yes switch over to X style strokes once the bevl is set just make sure to keep the edge in contact with the hone

When I first started out it is easier to hone a thicker grind than a ultra-thin grind. A full hollow grind, for instance, will flex with the smallest amount of pressure and that is bad because the idea is to get every stroke to hit exactly the same spot on the bevel. Thus for me it was easier to hone a 1/4 grind when first starting out. I had a Solingen extra-hollow ground that was so thin that I swear that I could see light through it. It was a while till I could get a good edge on it. Not that you might not have good luck doing it but it is something to consider.


Take Care,
R

Use a moderate amount of pressure when setting the bevel. Don't bear down, but be firm. And don't worry about little burs forming on the edge when setting the bevel; It always happens to some extent when the actual edge forms. That's what steel does. They will get polished away when you hone the edge with just the weight of the razor.