Thread: So what now!?

True, it may shave like a champ! Before you take them back to any hones, try them out, and find a good loupe.

It's not easy, but it's a lot easiER when you turn the light on

Stupid question, besides making sure the bevel has been set by not seeing a reflection, what am i wxactly looking for under magnification?

Originally Posted by anthogia

Hi guys- rookie honer here needs your advice. I just "honed" 2 razors. I used a 1k chosera to set the bevel, a 3k/8k pyramid off of the naniwa super stones, then I did 25 x strokes on a nani ss, finally finishing up with 50 x's on a roughly 16k shoubudani jnat. Then I did 50 strokes on suede and 100 strokes on smooth leather strop. Now, they both shaved hair off of the chosera so I'm pretty sure the bevels set. However, they both fail the hanging hair test and neither one pops hair effortlessly. What do I do now? Wait and do a shave test or take them back to the stones? If the latter, then which stone and for roughly how many x strokes? I'm getting pretty frustrated bc it just doesn't seen to be clicking for me and honing is no more therapeutic, now it's a mission! So what advice do y'all have for me? Any and all responses are welcome, and thanks in advance for all advice!
Tony

My first question is how did you figure out that the Jnat was ~16k?
HHT means nothing when testing shavereadiness, shave test the blades and see how they are.
To get the best result off a Jnat you have to have a really good edge from your synthetics, only then you will be able to get even better result. Honing on Jnat also is a bit of a technique based, it will take a few tries to figure out how exactly the stone works best, you will notice the feel of the blade on the stone changes as the edge approaches its max potential for the stone.
You have to play with slurries thicknesses, dilution, and initially numbers of counts before you start getting good and consistent results. Don't hesitate to ask questions and advise about your Jnat.

[QUOTE=mainaman;1150167]My first question is how did you figure out that the Jnat was ~16k?/QUOTE]

See post #8 and leave it at that

Originally Posted by mainaman

My first question is how did you figure out that the Jnat was ~16k?
HHT means nothing when testing shavereadiness, shave test the blades and see how they are.

No I actually retracted that statement- maksim said it would be higher than 12k so like an idiot I just through that number out there. However I corrected myself and said it's higher than 12k. I shouldn't assume anything. And you're right from what everyone else is saying, the shave test is the only real test to know how you doing!

I appreciate all the help guys keep it coming! I have never been steered wrong on this site so all advice will be taken into account as always, and much appreciated!

Originally Posted by mainaman

My first question is how did you figure out that the Jnat was ~16k?
HHT means nothing when testing shavereadiness, shave test the blades and see how they are.
To get the best result off a Jnat you have to have a really good edge from your synthetics, only then you will be able to get even better result. Honing on Jnat also is a bit of a technique based, it will take a few tries to figure out how exactly the stone works best, you will notice the feel of the blade on the stone changes as the edge approaches its max potential for the stone.
You have to play with slurries thicknesses, dilution, and initially numbers of counts before you start getting good and consistent results. Don't hesitate to ask questions and advise about your Jnat.

I do have to say mainaman that I could def feel the cutting power of the jnat slurry. There was an audible difference as we'll. Kinda cool I think!

Originally Posted by anthogia

I do have to say mainaman that I could def feel the cutting power of the jnat slurry. There was an audible difference as we'll. Kinda cool I think!

You should be able to feel the slurry change as you hone on it, the sound while honing will also change it will become less audible.
Did you smooth your hone well by the way?

Sounds like too much of a good thing. Everyone has given you great advice. As Unit pointed out. the 3/8 and then shave. If it isn't shaving well off of the 8k going up the grit ladder is not what you want to do. More on the 3/8 is the ticket ...... assuming the bevel is properly set. When you can get a nice smooth shave at 8k then go on up one step at a time.

Originally Posted by mainaman

You should be able to feel the slurry change as you hone on it, the sound while honing will also change it will become less audible.
Did you smooth your hone well by the way?

Yep it did become less audible, I really like it and can't wait to use it correctly!