Thread: Need some experienced advice - does this need honing?

Those pictures were fantastic. Everyone should absorb those pictures and take note of Jimmy's advice, which was right on the money. I think if guys could understand better when, and when not, to use the 4k, they'd be a lot better off.

Originally Posted by Kaden101

I followed JimmyHADs' advice & popped my honing cherry. I did a small number of light strokes on the 8K side of the Norton followed by 50 strokes both ways on the strop. Massive difference. The nick at the toe end no longer registers on the TNT, but more importantly the shaving quality was much improved. A lot less tugging than before, & the improvement gave me my best straight shave by a long way. I could tell immediately on the 1st pass how much better it was. It may still need a tiny bit more work on the hone, but good result so far.

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

Congratulations on getting things sorted out and improving your shaving experience.

Bob

Just remember that as helpful as the TNT may be, running the edge across your fingernail does dull it a bit. A couple more passes on the 8K would relieve that. Then strop once again of course.

Originally Posted by ace

Just remember that as helpful as the TNT may be, running the edge across your fingernail does dull it a bit. A couple more passes on the 8K would relieve that. Then strop once again of course.

That's exactly what I did. It was just nice to know that little nick wasn't there anymore. I'm trying to figure out the TPT but I think that's quite a subtle thing so it may take me a while to understand that.

Originally Posted by Kaden101

I'm trying to figure out the TPT but I think that's quite a subtle thing so it may take me a while to understand that.

Take the spine of the razor in your left hand, assuming you're right handed, and then very lightly stroke your thumb pad of the opposite hand from heel to point. Not in a continuous motion but touching it and lightly going towards the point. Touch, lightly go up and touch again with a new bite. If the razor is dull your thumb pad will slide right up with little or no resistance.

If it is sharp your thumb pad will stick as the edge digs into the skin. Obviously we don't use enough pressure to slice our thumbs open. Eventually you'll get a feel for degrees of sharpness using this method. Some guys do it sideways. IOW lightly bring your thumb pad onto the edge and go across the edge to feel the sharpness.

I do it that way with pocket knives but prefer the vertical method for razors. YMMV.

Great thread! I was about to ask much the same question; my straight razor shaving experience follows a similar timeline to the OP's, and I've suspected I've put off honing longer than I might have wanted to.

I've ordered Shapton 4K and 8K stones which should arrive next week. I don't yet have a lapping plate however. I can't really splurge on one yet and even if I could, they seem to be special-order-only. Should I refrain from honing on the new stones until they've been flattened or am I trying to convince myself it's ok for now?

I just lapped my norton with wet/dry sandpaper. Started with a low grit (180 for me because that's what I could get), went up to 400 on the 4K side but haven't used that side yet. I finished off briefly on 1000 grit on the 8K, but 600 is supposed to be fine. I'm sure a lapping plate is better in the long run, but sandpaper will get you started.

Check out this:

Hone Lapping 101 - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Very informative.