Thread: Getting a rough shave!!!

Restart your honing with your highest grit stone. But you will likely need to drop back to one or two hone levels. Since you only mentioned 4k/8k and 12k, start with about 20 on the 12k then test on arm hair. If not smooth, it probably will not be, use the pyramid technique from the top back down until the blade is sharp and smooth for that hone. Then back up the hones.

If your 12k is a cnat consider using the techniques in the "friable grit" thread.

Edit: Use very little pressure to develop slurry with a diamond plate. Heavy pressure leads to larger grit pieces in the slurry. Also be careful of pressure while honing. A scope of some kind will help you diagnose problems.

Jonathan

Well, the bevel is something you should be able to eye ball. If it looks good you go on from there. I wouldn't worry about all the tests except for the real one which is shaving. Certainly after the 8K you should be able to get a great shave. Lose the 12K until you can do that. As a matter of fact even after the 4K you should be able to get a decent shave.

Originally Posted by jmac123

Thanks to all who replied.
So if I take it back to the hone, where do I start? Should I go back to the 1000 grit, kill the edge and start over with a bevel? Or should I go back to the 4000 grit, work it up and progress though the finer stones?
John

Given that it came from e-bay and never provided a good shave then my guess is that it needs a good bevel set. So I would do 1k until the bevel is set then progress upwards.

Michael

+1 on TBS's word about testing at 8k. This is a gateway level of honing. If it ain't there by 8k, you won't get there from here. *a word of thanks for everyone who told me that. I understand the honorable Randydance was an early adopter of this*

I have run into several blades that seem to WANT to be harsh. One Helje, 2/2 of the Tornbloms, but sometimes a hard soligen extra hollow. If you're somewhat new to honing (less than 50-75 blades done), you may want to try a few back strokes on your finishing. Its just one trick I'll pull out when blades aren't smoothing out. I use backstrokes on most stones now, but especially if the edge seems a bit crispy.

When you overhone you remove the bur on the blade. Even touching you blade can remove it. Never touch the blade by hand.