Thread: newbie & honing

ok, i have an 4/8k norton combo stone and a 12k naniwa. all the stones are true. i used the pyramid method for honing with the 4/8k. then i did 20 strokes with the 12k. if this doesn't get me where i need to be should i do the pyramid over or just stick with the 12k naniwa?

If you are using the 4/8 Pyramid method, the razor should be shaving sharp before you ever touch a 12k...

I mean literally, put the 12k in the drawer and leave it there until you shave comfortably with the 8k finish...

Once you have done that, then and only then, tweak up the edge with the 12k...

I would normally say after you had done that on a few razors, but if you are only sharpening one razor, then my above statement is correct...

If you know what the pyramid is, then I must assuen you read everything there is about it and watched the video's in the wiki.

Yes, you need to go back and re-do the pyramid again. You can start at 10/10 or 15/15 or 20/20, just about anywhere you want. When you finish, do a TPT. It should pass everywhere along the blade. Then, if it does, try to pop hair on your arm, at different points on the blade. If it does this, go back and give it 5 more laps on the 8k. Then go the the 12k then to crox then to your strop. You should be able at that point to pass the HHT along the blade.

Then you can give it the ultimate test, and the only one that counts - The shave test.

Good luck,

Ray

when i first got this old bokier from a forum member it was so sharp i'd cut myself just by looking at it. now i really have to work at getting any blood. and believe me, it's not due to some great technique i've aquired i assume i damaged the edge from stroping. i didn't think this would be such an ordeal to getting it back to proper shaving sharpness. it's close but it's just not there. my de runs rings around it

The learning curve for honing is just as steep as it is for shaving, albeit with less blood loss. Running through the pyramid is one thing. Running through it effectively is another. Make sure the edge is getting good contact with the hone. Watch how the edge pushes the water. If water isn't lapping up over any part of the edge, then it's not making good contact with the hone. You can also mark the edge with a sharpie and do a few laps to see if the edge is making good contact with the stone.

Go slow. You can do multiple pyramids if necessary. Don't worry about over honing. It's actually pretty hard to over hone using the pyramid technique. If the Boker is your only straight, you may want to send to a hone meister (so you have a shave ready straight to shave with and a benchmark you can compare your home honed straights to) and pick up a cheap e-bay special to practice on.

success! i put magic marker on the edge and discovered that something was out of kilter. so i had to reset the bevel on the 1k and go from there. actually i am now quite pleased. i'm getting there