Honing new blade - help

[Captn Phil]

Dovo “factory bevels” are all over the map. You will make your life easier if you find out first the bevel angle and if the bevels are flat before you start grinding away steel blind.

Ink the bevels and do a single light lap on the 12k. This will tell you how to hone the razor.

More than likely, you can easily re-set the bevel on the 8k with a single layer of tape. If you remove most of the bevel, especially at the edge, with the Sharpie test, a layer of tape will easily re-set the bevel on the 12k.

It is questionable if your ILR will improve your 12k edge, it will improve a 12k edge or not. Inexpensive slates rarely produce a bevel and edge finer than 6k.

So, test shave the razor with the 12k, then hone on the ILR and see if the shaving edge is improved.

If not, no big deal, once the bevels are flat, (the bevels are fully set, flat, in the correct bevel angle and bevels meeting fully) you can easily erase the ILR bevels and edge in 20-40 laps on the 12k.

From an ILR, you do not need to re-set the bevel on anything lower than an 8 or 12k.

Google (My Second Try at Honing). This was an old post made by a new honer. It was the second razor he had ever honed. The post has great micrographs that he took, at each stone to document his progress.

If you just make your bevels look like his bevel at each stone in the progression you will get great shaving edges.

Thanks. Certainly no harm in starting off with the 12K and marking the edge with a Sharpie, which I had planned on doing but forgot to mention that. I guess my main point was trying/attempting to hone and sharpen this razor without first resorting to coarser stones such as a 5k. Also, some good points in regards to the possible use of the ILR.

 

[Empire straights]

Thanks. Certainly no harm in starting off with the 12K and marking the edge with a Sharpie, which I had planned on doing but forgot to mention that. I guess my main point was trying/attempting to hone and sharpen this razor without first resorting to coarser stones such as a 5k. Also, some good points in regards to the possible use of the ILR.

After you get it straight, if that edge off the synthetics is harsh or "grabby"(in the sense of skin, not hair) for your skin type, you should try a *good coticule* or an edge honed on one. Send me a message if you need one, im sure I can find a loaner. I can walk you through the process too if you want. I have someone sending some jnats back to me, I could loan those to you too. Synthetic edges get sharper than near anything, but shaving is on skin, and things that are on skin need to be smooth too. Just send me a message if you need stuff to play with. You can ask and somebody will probably vouch for me. Maybe....

 

[Captn Phil]

After you get it straight, if that edge off the synthetics is harsh or "grabby"(in the sense of skin, not hair) for your skin type, you should try a *good coticule* or an edge honed on one. Send me a message if you need one, im sure I can find a loaner. I can walk you through the process too if you want. I have someone sending some jnats back to me, I could loan those to you too. Synthetic edges get sharper than near anything, but shaving is on skin, and things that are on skin need to be smooth too. Just send me a message if you need stuff to play with. You can ask and somebody will probably vouch for me. Maybe....

I fully appreciate your offer and kindness, but considering that my honing attempts will be somewhat limited I'll more like than not stay with the synthetics that I have albeit I may eventually invest in a black hard Arkansas stone as a finishing touch.
Have a Great New Year!

 

[Empire straights]

I fully appreciate your offer and kindness, but considering that my honing attempts will be somewhat limited I'll more like than not stay with the synthetics that I have albeit I may eventually invest in a black hard Arkansas stone as a finishing touch.
Have a Great New Year!

Cheers! I hope you have a happy and prosperous new year friend.