Thread: First honing experience

Today I decided to try and hone my first razor, a Wm Elliot & Co. I have shaved with this razor before, so I know it can hold an edge.

I followed the JaNorton instructions and videos, so I only used a norton 4k/8k. The stone was lapped prior to its first use.

I killed the edge, by passing the razor lightly a couple of time on the stone.

I started on the 4k to set the bevel using the circle method: 40 circles, 10 x-passes, 10 heel leading (2 time w/ pressure, 1 time no pressure).

Once I finished from the 4k, I decided to try the arm hair test, nothing was coming off my arm but skin, when I used pressure. (I thought that the razor should be removing hair at this point).

Anyway, I decided to continue on the 8k side (x strokes and heel leading stroke), and what do you know, the razor started to pop hair off my arm at the end of the 8k side. So I decided to take it further and stropped 50 times on the green paste, 50 on linen and 100 on leather, and by this point hair was flying off my arm passing the razor halfway between the skin and hair tip.

So is it normal to not cut hair after setting up the bevel? My understanding was that when the bevel is set, the razor should pass the arm hair test, and no point of continuing if it does not. And that the 8k is just for finishing.

I'd say that was unusual. How did it shave?

Originally Posted by pcb01

I'd say that was unusual. How did it shave?

Haven't shaved with it yet. I know this is the ultimate test, unfortunately I shaved this morning.

The bevel would need to be set especially after dulling the edge on your hone. I stay on my bevel setter until it cuts arm hair.That sounds like at least 100 laps if the edge was dulled, probably more. And thats on a dmt 1200. I dont do circles on the bevel setter. If I need to remove alot of metal, i use the 600 and sometimes the 325.

Originally Posted by bill3152

The bevel would need to be set especially after dulling the edge on your hone. I stay on my bevel setter until it cuts arm hair.That sounds like at least 100 laps if the edge was dulled, probably more. And thats on a dmt 1200. I dont do circles on the bevel setter. If I need to remove alot of metal, i use the 600 and sometimes the 325.

At this point what do you suggest?
Should redull the edge on the hone (since it is cutting my arm hair), and don't leave the 4k before it starts to cut my arm hair?
It should be noted that i only have the norton 4k/8k right now, so I will be setting the bevel on the 4k side.

You don't need to kill the edge..

In fact you might try some Pyramids and see if you can't bring the edge into line..

If you make big corrections you make big mistakes, this is exactly why the Norton 4/8 is so good to learn on, it let's you gently find the edge...

I wouldn't do nuttin until you try a shave first, this will give you a good idea where you are at...

Originally Posted by moobe

At this point what do you suggest?
Should redull the edge on the hone (since it is cutting my arm hair), and don't leave the 4k before it starts to cut my arm hair?
It should be noted that i only have the norton 4k/8k right now, so I will be setting the bevel on the 4k side.

I was suggesting what I would do. Im not an expert but I have found and has been discussed here that the bevel set is the most critical part of the process. If it wasnt cutting hair at the 4k Im not sure the amount of circles and strokes you did would set it at the 8k. What Im thinking is the bevel is not set JMHO.

Definitely try to shave with the razor before any more honing. The edge should cut arm hair quite well coming off te 4k, and if it doesn't it usually still needs some work. It's always possible that it was close enough to being right that the 8k was able to take it the rest of the way; this is quite rare, however. Shave with the edge, and if it isn't there, try a pyramid or two. As an aside, I'll go ahead and toss this out there and say that you may find that an 8k edge is a little rougher than you would like to shave with. I shaved off my 8k for over a year and now that I've gotten finer stones, I'll never go back. As always, YMMV.

Why did you dull the edge before honing? If you're just trying to touch up a slightly worn edge, just do some x strokes on the 8K side, strop & shave. There's no point ruining the bevel if it doesn't need it, you're just making extra work for yourself. If you're doing it on purpose for the honing practice, I wouldn't do it on your one & only razor, I'd buy a cheap 2nd hand straight purely for honing practice.

Originally Posted by Kaden101

Why did you dull the edge before honing? If you're just trying to touch up a slightly worn edge, just do some x strokes on the 8K side, strop & shave. There's no point ruining the bevel if it doesn't need it, you're just making extra work for yourself. If you're doing it on purpose for the honing practice, I wouldn't do it on your one & only razor, I'd buy a cheap 2nd hand straight purely for honing practice.

I dulled the edge on purpose, and i am using it as a honing exercise. This razor is a 2nd hand cheap razor i bought off ebay, and is not my primary razor.