I think it's getting there....

[BJC22]

have been honing and stropping my new Dovo on a Norton 4000-8000 water stone purchased at Lee Valley on the 8000 side and it seems to be 'getting there' as far as shave ready, I am able to shave with it, but it seems to want just a little more honing. When I test it, the edge is starting to pull decently on my thumb as I draw it gently and across the blade and it also wants to cut my thumbnail when I try to lightly draw the blade across.

Am I heading in the right direction here? I have been tempted to go to the 4000, but am concerned that this may be a step backwards at this point.

Suggestions.... Thank you

 

[Doc226]

Don't test it on your thumbnail, that will dull it. Go to the 4k and move up the 8k, finish with 40-50 very light pressure laps with some lather on the stone.

 

[Slash McCoy]

What he said.

 

[Krodor]

And make sure both sides have been lapped recently, before you go any farther.

 

[Kavik79]

you're right, going back to the 4000 will be a step backwards.....but chances are it's a necessary step. Often times new razors aren't nearly as shave ready as they advertise them to be, if the bevel isn't quite right then it's going to take WAY too much work using just the 8k
I'm no expert, but I usually drop down to a 1K stone for bevel setting. A lot of people though do it all with the 4k/8k combo. I was just reading through an old thread on another site about that actually: http://straightrazorplace.com/honing/77726-famous-infamous-norton-4-8-janorton-2012-a.html

Tons of info in there, but for the highlights, check out the videos in these 2 posts:
http://straightrazorplace.com/honin...norton-4-8-janorton-2012-a-13.html#post895146
http://straightrazorplace.com/honin...norton-4-8-janorton-2012-a-19.html#post897902

 

[BJC22]

Thank you to all for the feedback! It was very helpful.
I do need to pick up a lapping stone still, so will try to do that this week.

 

[SliceOfLife]

When I was starting SRP honing guides recommended the thumb nail test for checking a bevel (if my memory is correct). I used it for awhile. Not sure why I stopped. I just switched to shaving arm (and eventually leg when I was honing a LOT of razors) hair to check. I wanna say there was a bit of a nails on chalkboard effect to the TNT that just irritated me enough to stop using it. Someone here said they slice cherry tomatoes. That sounds like a good idea to me, but a waste of tomatoes. These days I only check bevels if I have cause to be concerned, poor contact at the heel or toe of the razor requiring special attention, stuff like that. But yes I do remember everyone warning that using TNT after a certain point would damage the edge. So I wouldn't use it after an 8k for sure. Check how easily it shaves arm hair if you wanna see how it's coming along.

 

[life2short1971]

I use it on a wet thumbnail but even if satisfied I will do a few more laps just because. I also find dragging across my thumbnail or wet piece of horn removes any foiling on the edge. Needless to say I don't use this approach with every razor only if one is being stubborn.

 

[Doc226]

Someone here said they slice cherry tomatoes. That sounds like a good idea to me, but a waste of tomatoes.

That is the TCT-tomato cutting test. I actually use this, my daughter loves cherry tomatoes and the ones that are past eating are perfect. The softer skin makes it harder to cut, a properly set bevel with ease. Make sure to since the blade after doing the test.

TCT.

 

[SliceOfLife]

Here I thought you'd say you move on from the TCT to the CCT and LCT, and finish it off with the VWT (Vinaigrette Whisking test) for patina.

 

[life2short1971]

Here I thought you'd say you move on from the TCT to the CCT and LCT, and finish it off with the VWT (Vinaigrette Whisking test) for patina.

All of this talk of honing is making me hungry for some reason.

 

[BJC22]

Picked up a Norton lapping stone today, so will do that in the morning, then start at the 4000 first, then 8000.
Does anyone wver use a square to ensure that the stones are square and level, or just the gridlines with a pencil?

 

[life2short1971]

All you need is a level surface. Squaring one off is just a waste of stone.

 

[Kavik79]

pencil lines.
use light, even pressure and rinse both off often. The first couple times I lapped stones they seemed pretty flat and smooth, but I found out I was putting too much pressure on the ends and making a very smoothly tapered hump in the middle of the stone (wasn't noticeable until I put 2 lapped stones against each other and saw the gap)

now comes the part that's going to cause frustration...........my Norton lapping stone wasn't close to flat itself. I ended up having to lap that thing on a piece of plate glass and sandpaper, and even after all that I found it to be very harsh on the other stones. Recently bought a DMT and am 100x happier. I hate to say this, but my suggestion would be return that before you use it and buy a DMT8C (Diamond lapping plate, coarse, 8"x3")