I do about the same as Nenad except I do not tape/glue the sandpaper. Where most of us are different is the amount of pressure we use and how we check our progress. The tests I use are the thumbnail test, thumbpad test, HHT and a microscope and of course the shave test.




Quote Originally Posted by superfly View Post
Here's how I do it.

I glue some 1000 wet sandpaper on a piece of glass, with a double stick tape. I take care that all of the tape is glued to the edges of the paper, otherwise water gets in, and make high spots on the sandpaper. Start honing, 5 strokes at a side, maybe with the other hand on the spine for more control and stability. The trick is to check the edge often, and to know when it is done. I do it by looking directly at the edge (like I am gonna slice my nose in half) under a very bright light (my desktop lamp). When you stop seeing any reflection on the edge, bevel creating is almost finished.

I than take 10-15 regular, alternating sides, one handed strokes, and proceed on a higher grit sandpaper.

I do around 10-20 regular strokes on a similary prepared 2000 grit, and then I move to the Norton 4000.

Now it's time to observe the bevel. When it's all the same color, it's done. It usually takes some 20-30 strokes on the 4000. The same thing for the 8000. When the bevel looses the 4000 grit satin finish, and became high polished, black ice looking, you are done. Strop, shave, enjoy...

I'm usually done with all the above steps in half hour...


cheers,
Nenad