Need help setting bevel.Using hones: 1200 King Deluxe and Norton 4/8K. I would like to know how much pressure people use for setting a bevel. I always hear about light pressure, but that doesn't seem to work with razors I have tried: 7/16 half hollow, 5/8 full hollow. I've watched a number of videos of people honing and a fair amount of swarf is coming off. On the King it takes forever to set a bevel with light pressure; can't see any steel coming off unless I use what seems like a lot of pressure.Thanks
Pressure to set bevel?
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It's a hard question, but on a hollow the harder you press the more blade flexes, giving you wonky bevels, hone wear, and ultimately crappascious shaving edges.
IMO it doesn't take a lot to set a bevel on a hollow. Heavier grinds seem to handle more pressure, at the expense of more hone wear. How long is "a long time" for you?
IMO it doesn't take a lot to set a bevel on a hollow. Heavier grinds seem to handle more pressure, at the expense of more hone wear. How long is "a long time" for you?
I use moderate pressure to set bevels. Lightly tickling the razor across a bevel setting hone is a waste of time.
On the other hand, as Kentos mentioned, TOO much pressure will distort the razor you are trying to hone, and you'll end up with some other problems.
Sort of like Goldilocks and the three bears, you have to find the pressure that is "just right"...
On the other hand, as Kentos mentioned, TOO much pressure will distort the razor you are trying to hone, and you'll end up with some other problems.
Sort of like Goldilocks and the three bears, you have to find the pressure that is "just right"...
Very firm pressure but dont over do it..start with 20 back n forth laps..
yep the just right pressure that varies thats one of the things that i learned after time that you need some pressure
Lap the King, soak it well, slurry it up - and see if that helps you cut better.
Pressure - like erasing a mid-weight #2 pencil line on white paper,, but not enough to break the eraser off.
Pressure - like erasing a mid-weight #2 pencil line on white paper,, but not enough to break the eraser off.
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if the blade is not perfectly flat then SKILL comes in--- you definitely dont want heavy pressure involved, the hones will come out uneven-
When the edge can cut arm-hair easily along the entire length, you're probably there or just about there.
My guide is the feedback and the undercut of slurry/water on the hone, but cutting arm-hair is probably the most widely accepted bevel test. .
My guide is the feedback and the undercut of slurry/water on the hone, but cutting arm-hair is probably the most widely accepted bevel test. .
Pressure took me a long time to get. I'd almost say start with no pressure. Not a LIGHT handed no pressure type thing, just don't focus on applying any pressure. Allowing the stone to do the work will help you much more than attempting to apply the right amount of pressure and then applying too much. To add to what Gamma said...the key word there is when it cuts EASILY. You really should have no pulling when you do this. If it's pulling, but still cutting, you're not there.
I'm not into heavy pressure in any point of the progression, if setting a bevel on a particular razor is becoming a PITA I simply go to a lower grit hone.
Still learning here, but the following has been working well for me:
I use my thumb on the shank for pressure.
Depends on the blade condition for the number of strokes for me....But, I use a firm thumb pressure on the shank until I am about ready to move to the next stone and finish with no pressure. I usually do reps of short circles followed by push X strokes and rapid push/pull strokes followed by X push strokes. I finish with no pressure and X push strokes. I usually check the edge with 20X magnification and always will have the edge keen enough to easily shave arm hair before I go to a 4K and so on...I like checking with the "thumb pad" test while using the 1K, too...Remember to keep the heel stabilizer off of the stone. I find the thumb and leading heal to help with this..
HTH
I use my thumb on the shank for pressure.
Depends on the blade condition for the number of strokes for me....But, I use a firm thumb pressure on the shank until I am about ready to move to the next stone and finish with no pressure. I usually do reps of short circles followed by push X strokes and rapid push/pull strokes followed by X push strokes. I finish with no pressure and X push strokes. I usually check the edge with 20X magnification and always will have the edge keen enough to easily shave arm hair before I go to a 4K and so on...I like checking with the "thumb pad" test while using the 1K, too...Remember to keep the heel stabilizer off of the stone. I find the thumb and leading heal to help with this..
HTH
