Thread: Frustrated with 1K bevel

Trying to hone a razor and having no luck at the 4K/8K level, I went back to the 1K on my Norton stone set and tried circular forward motions both forward and backward to get a bevel. Did not want to overhone and so only did 40 strokes both directions 2 times with lot's of hand pressure. I then tried Gssixguns method on the 4K/8K Norton, using a small Nagura stone to create a slurry. Got her sharp enough to shave, but it was a PAINFUL process, as I had to go over my face 4 times and ended up cutting myself in several places. Is this due to too dull of a blade and too much pressure? Going to shave with a professionally honed blade tomorrow to see how far off my razor is. Should a shave ready razor only require two passes on the shavers face to get a baby butt smooth shave? Really perplexed at this point, as I have several straight razors that I think could be sharper. ANY feedback appeciated, as I have all of the right equipment, but feel like I'm digressing and not progressing!-Gearhead.

When frustrated, put it down for a while; maybe even come back to it as your honing progresses.
Pick another razor with less work to be done on it.
Honing is meant to be a pleasure; before long it will be for you.
I had a Boker that whipped me at the beginning of my journey; I put it away & returned to it 2 years later, in 30 minutes it was shave ready.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...bing-over.html

It seems you are trying to Quantify SR shaving, it is not so easy to do

Thanx guys! As inferred by a senior member in the post "not getting anywhere", I do not want to risk removing too much metal at the 1K level, but perhaps I will have to stay at that grade until I can easily cut arm hairs. Does it matter if I do circular strokes or straight strokes? The spine is significantly flattened due to age and use-should I try one layer of tape and try rehoning at 1K? Have not been using any tape on about half of my razors, as they are quality used ones off of EBay. Plus, I am still a newbie and am experimenting Not trying to quantify anything, other than I thought one was supposed to start honing at 4K/8K if the blade is shaving somewhat and has no flat spots or wire on the edge. If the 4K/8K does not work, then one moves down to the 1K, correct? Thanx again-Gearhead-PS-Gssixgun, I wholeheartedly agree that SR honing AND quantifying anything about it is NOT easy! To me, shaving is the only relatively easy part, compared to honing!

Originally Posted by gearhead222

Thanx guys! As inferred by a senior member in the post "not getting anywhere", I do not want to risk removing too much metal at the 1K level, !

Don't confuse that thread with Honing The 1k will not rip the guts out of the steel unless you do something very wrong, the bevels have to meet from toe to heel evenly, plain and simple. Also don't put all your faith in one test learn to use several until you finally get it all figured,,

Just a few weeks ago at the meet we were passing around a bevel setting razor the new guys were trying all the tests it was quite clear that no one test worked for everyone..

Thanx Glen! So do I still apply relatively the same pressure at 1K that I would at 4K/8K? I DO know that one applies no more pressure to the strop as one applies to the face while shaving. This is not true at the 1K level correct? In other words, one must apply more pressure compared to strop pressure to take off metal at the 1K level, correct? Also, my 1K is brand spankin' new, and am wondering if I have to do any pretreatment with the DMT 320, other than beveling the 1K edges. Thanx again!-Gearhead222-PS-Did the needle test and this razor is not suffering from a wire edge. She also appears to have no flat spots using the light reflection test-Just not sharp enough to EASILY cut beard hair

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Don't confuse that thread with Honing The 1k will not rip the guts out of the steel unless you do something very wrong, the bevels have to meet from toe to heel evenly, plain and simple. Also don't put all your faith in one test learn to use several until you finally get it all figured,,

Just a few weeks ago at the meet we were passing around a bevel setting razor the new guys were trying all the tests it was quite clear that no one test worked for everyone..

I know for a fact that some of the 'tests' work for me and some don't! It's taken me awhile to learn which ones to 'trust' and at which stage!!!

It'll come, it comes easier for some than others! Just remember that if a razor is giving you problems, you only multiply the problem when you become frustrated, annoyed or just plain perplexed!!

Long before that happens, put everything away. It'll wait for another and better day!!

When you are just about to move to a finer stone, try using less pressure (almost none) and letting the stone run dry. This allows the stone to clog up a bit with slurry and steel particles, creating a finer grit, and making transition to the next stone easier. Also, don't just do circular strokes, try finishing with straight strokes, taking one stroke at a time per side, if that makes sense.

Thanx again guys! Tried 100 or so strokes with the Imperial Razor "The Improved Eagle Razor" with tape on the spline on 220 grit and then tried around 80 strokes on the 1000 grit. before going to 40 or so strokes on the 4K and 8K each. Was not as sharp as I'd like, and so I went back to the 1000 grit and tried to get a shaveable bevel with no luck! Am wondering if this razor is made out of very hard steel, as I have successfully sharpened some razors just going down to 4K! Compared the Imperial razor with a professionally honed blade and there's no comparison. You must push very hard and perform 2 or 3 passes to shave with this razor, which tells me that it's too dull, correct? Amazingly, some of my sharpened razors passed the HHT-some didn't. The Golden Monkey $7.00 special from China surprised me in that respect, but I think that it's made of softer steel as it sharpens rather quickly from 4K. When I got her she wouldn't cut butter! Definitely putting this razor away, as it's driving me up the wall. Cut me up too much also. Thanx again for the feedback, esp. letting the stones develope a slurry and run dry as a transitioning method between stone grades-never heard of that one-Gearhead

What did the TNT and the AHT tell you at the 1k level ????? did the razor pass both or at least one successfully ????