I’m not a professional blade-smith, but I believe that relative to other manufacturers the Thiers Issards takes a lot more time and patience to hone effectively. To reiterate what other members have said, the blade material is very hard, and the correct preparation and setting of the blade bevel is very important. There’s no point using an 3000/5000, then an 8000 Shapton if you haven’t set the edge, you’ll never get there. I suggest you start with a 1000 grit or less and work it up, checking with the eye glass before progressing to the next level. If you normally do 40 rep’s on a 1000 grit stone, double it for the TI, check it on the eye glass, if it’s ok move on the 3000/5000 stone and so on, up to a 10k or 12k natural.
It will take 2 or 3 times as longer to hone, but the blade edge will last much longer, if looked after, than the average run of the mill blade.
Take it out of the bin and give it another try.
It will take 2 or 3 times as longer to hone, but the blade edge will last much longer, if looked after, than the average run of the mill blade.
Take it out of the bin and give it another try.