Thread: Nearly there but not yet, help..

I am new to honing, other than trying on a razor with a really uneven bevel and blade which wouldn't stay flat on the hone, I finally got another to try, my first restore which was an Alfred Williams (Sheffield). I used 1 layer of tape on the spine and I started on the 1k with very light pressure (maybe too light), eventually it passed the TNT and was cutting hair on my leg above the skin, so I figured this was at a level ok to move up the progression. I was really happy as it only took a matter of 10-15 mins, compared to spending a whole day on the other razor which wouldn't take an edge!

Went through the same as above with 4/8K norton and then a few passes on a thuringian then stroped. It would pop arm hair but didn't pass the HHT very well, though tried shaving and WTG was ok, not great and XTG not very good at all so didn't attempt ATG.

I have never shaved with anything other than a full hollow ground and think this is a 1/4 hollow. Other than the difference in feeling I noticed with this grind which felt very strange!

Why would it pop arm hair and not give a great shave?... do I go back to the 4k or the 8k or even the 1k, i think the bevel is set as it passed the TNT and cut hair.. the bevel is very thin when compared to my other proffesionally honed full hollow grounds, is this normal?

Thank you in advance for any advice..

Please look up pyramid honing in the Wiki. From your description, you have a good bevel, which is the most challenging part of honing. Pyramids will get you the rest of the way.

Narrow bevels are good. Means your razor geometry is straight.

Congratulations, Buddy, you're almost there!!!

Go back to the thuringian, do 20-30 circles then some ultra light strokes, when you are ready to strop, do about 100 laps on linen then again on leather, then try it again.

I would probably try and do a few more passes on the Thuri before hitting the Norton again, sometime a little is enough.
Du you have a slurry stone? Try 10-20 laps with a light slurry then the same with water and try shaving again. If that fails, fire up the Norton.

You can also check your bevel by holding the blade edge up under strong light and checking for reflections. If you see any at all, the bevel is not yet set.

Originally Posted by Blix

I would probably try and do a few more passes on the Thuri before hitting the Norton again, sometime a little is enough.
Du you have a slurry stone? Try 10-20 laps with a light slurry then the same with water and try shaving again. If that fails, fire up the Norton.

Hi I don't have a slurry stone, I have a norton prep stone though not sure if this is the same thing... thanks