First off, let me preface by saying this is what I found helpful to me in finally figuring out why I wasn't getting sharp blades after hours(literally) of honing the same edge...over and over again to no avail. I watched many YouTube videos and read many threads. There were still question and uncertainties I had. I'm hoping to state those and describe what I found to be the solutions. The most helpful video I found FOR ME was by Lynn Abrams(previous owner of "Straight Razor Designs" RIP). The video title: Norton 4k/8k circle method was the method I used. I will say that I did set my bevel w/ 800 grit wet/dry sand paper...I can sense the heads rolling in the room. I get it...but it worked. I also spent lots of time on the 4k ensuring it was good. I'll describe in detail now:
Important note: Dont get cheap tape for your spine...use scotch/3m super 88. If you cheap on this, the stones will remove the tape much faster effecting you bevel and the water will cause the tape to fall off the blade while in the middle of honing. Seriously...please go buy it. Lowes/home depot/online.
important definitions:
1)light pressure- the weight of the blade plus the added weight equivalent to 2 U.S. quarters(to gauge measurement).
2)no pressure- literally none, simply the weight of the blade...dont fudge this...you'll get a dull blade EVERY time. You WILL ruin the edge.
3)lap- 1 pass up AND back on the stone
The process:
1)I placed 3m 800 grit wet/dry sand paper on my flattening stone(back side)...taped it down and performed 50 circles w/ light pressure on each side. followed by 50 laps w/ no pressure
2)after soaking my norton 4k/8k for 20 minutes, on the 4k side, I performed 80 circles on each side w/ light pressure. using a squirt bottle, hosed down the stone. 60 circles on each side w/ light pressure. Squirt bottle. 40 circles w/ no pressure. Squirt bottle. 20 circles w/ no pressure. Squirt bottle. 10 circles w/ no pressure and then 100 laps. I'm sure this is excess...I didn't care. I wanted to make sure it was done and done right.
The feel of the blade on the hone: was very smooth after performing this step. I felt like the blade was riding on a cushion of water. I doubted multiple times that anything was actually happening...if it wasn't for the slurry being built and evidence of material being removed from the blade edge I would have thought I should be pressing down. Just refuse the temptation. I did feel an ever so faint grinding feel at this point w/ my dovo 5/8 full hollow stainless. Very faint but still there. W/ my T-I carbon steel 6/8 full hollow...just cushiony smoothness.
3) on the 8k side I performed 60 circles no pressure. squirt bottle. 40 circles. bottle. 20. bottle. Then 50 laps. All of this with no pressure AT ALL. The blade felt like it was riding on greased glass w/ both razors. Absolutely smooth. Fight the temptation to press down. Only the weight of the blade.
4)I have a Naniwa 12000 grit as well. I highly recommend it. I performed 40 circles. 20 circles. 10 circles then 40 laps. NO pressure at any point. Lots of hot...steamy...squirt bottle action in between every step.
This took serious time. DO NOT RUSH THINGS. It only takes 1 time of slapping the blade down wrong to make you have to start all over. I used a 60x Jeweler's Loupe throughout the entire process to ensure a smooth edge. Taking lots of time to look. I also had a freshly honed blade to compare my other 2 w/ so that I knew what a good, well honed edge felt like(it was done by a professional straight razor restorer...its a John Primble razor to those who want to know. If your not sure what a good edge feels & shaves like...bite the bullet and send your razor 1x to a pro...just so you know for future reference.
Important note: Dont get cheap tape for your spine...use scotch/3m super 88. If you cheap on this, the stones will remove the tape much faster effecting you bevel and the water will cause the tape to fall off the blade while in the middle of honing. Seriously...please go buy it. Lowes/home depot/online.
important definitions:
1)light pressure- the weight of the blade plus the added weight equivalent to 2 U.S. quarters(to gauge measurement).
2)no pressure- literally none, simply the weight of the blade...dont fudge this...you'll get a dull blade EVERY time. You WILL ruin the edge.
3)lap- 1 pass up AND back on the stone
The process:
1)I placed 3m 800 grit wet/dry sand paper on my flattening stone(back side)...taped it down and performed 50 circles w/ light pressure on each side. followed by 50 laps w/ no pressure
2)after soaking my norton 4k/8k for 20 minutes, on the 4k side, I performed 80 circles on each side w/ light pressure. using a squirt bottle, hosed down the stone. 60 circles on each side w/ light pressure. Squirt bottle. 40 circles w/ no pressure. Squirt bottle. 20 circles w/ no pressure. Squirt bottle. 10 circles w/ no pressure and then 100 laps. I'm sure this is excess...I didn't care. I wanted to make sure it was done and done right.
The feel of the blade on the hone: was very smooth after performing this step. I felt like the blade was riding on a cushion of water. I doubted multiple times that anything was actually happening...if it wasn't for the slurry being built and evidence of material being removed from the blade edge I would have thought I should be pressing down. Just refuse the temptation. I did feel an ever so faint grinding feel at this point w/ my dovo 5/8 full hollow stainless. Very faint but still there. W/ my T-I carbon steel 6/8 full hollow...just cushiony smoothness.
3) on the 8k side I performed 60 circles no pressure. squirt bottle. 40 circles. bottle. 20. bottle. Then 50 laps. All of this with no pressure AT ALL. The blade felt like it was riding on greased glass w/ both razors. Absolutely smooth. Fight the temptation to press down. Only the weight of the blade.
4)I have a Naniwa 12000 grit as well. I highly recommend it. I performed 40 circles. 20 circles. 10 circles then 40 laps. NO pressure at any point. Lots of hot...steamy...squirt bottle action in between every step.
This took serious time. DO NOT RUSH THINGS. It only takes 1 time of slapping the blade down wrong to make you have to start all over. I used a 60x Jeweler's Loupe throughout the entire process to ensure a smooth edge. Taking lots of time to look. I also had a freshly honed blade to compare my other 2 w/ so that I knew what a good, well honed edge felt like(it was done by a professional straight razor restorer...its a John Primble razor to those who want to know. If your not sure what a good edge feels & shaves like...bite the bullet and send your razor 1x to a pro...just so you know for future reference.