Honing School - Honemeisters & Newbies Unite!

That is a brilliant idea @Steve56 and they could be found easily and inexpensive.

 

Okay, I lied!

Went looking for a maintenance package. Selected 12k Naniwa, 2 balsa strops 1 and 0.5 micron pastes.

Then I had to have a universal stone holder.

Then found Naniwa 1k/5k and 3k/8k combos.

Then I needed a lapping plate.

Had a 30x glass, but wanted a 60x.

So, this unknown 'Wagner... Germany' 4/8 that I won in the TSD raffle was calling me. I know nothing about this unit but started working on it.

A lot of work with 1k. Stuff on the edge had to get cleaned up. The spine on one side bowed out and already had hone wear. Tried to apply some of the strokes I've seen described to address this issue. I was able to achieve a nice looking bevel bevel under magnification, but the normal sharpness indicators did not seem positive. It would shave arm hair, so I moved ahead through the grits and stropping. Felt pretty good on my arm so I shaved with it.

My skill level currently can deliver a socially acceptable shave using 3 passes, but I still have a ways to go till I'm happy without cleanup with other tools. I was quite pleased with the results today.

Gave one of my other razors time on the pasted balsa. I'll see how it feels tomorrow.

 

You know we love pics Edison.

 

I think I'm about ready to start homing just ordered the 3K and 10K Naniwa stones so I can follow @gssixgun and his video on honing. I know I could have done with what I have but wanted to wait and follow a master at his craft, LOL Dang just watched the video again, now I got to get a King 1K, oh well.

 

In consideration of my inexperience in wet shaving and honing, I submit this evidence into the record.

The stuff


The beater


The edge


The razor shaves surprisingly.
I'm trying my best, but freely admit that I don't know what I'm doing.

 

I just sent a Wagner home to the owner, I agree surprisingly nice shaver

 

After winning mine in the TSD raffle and holding it, it became like 'the ring, My Precious' in my hand. Drove my interest in straights.

I grabbed that Dovo you had to learn on because I wasn't sure if it would take an edge. Considering that it shaves, is it worth sending your way to confirm a bevel set?

 

You want to send her up here to the Northwoods I would be happy to take a look at the edge for you. Give an honest assessment, and maybe even snap some USB micro pics

 

In the interest of learning, I gratefully accept your offer.
I'll PM on details.....$.....

 

Ok, I've finally got the last stone ordered and have all the stones/hones I need to follow @gssixgun's video on honing with Naniwa Hones + the King for bevel setting. Now to look at a finishing hone, probably a good jnat with the slurry stones and toma. Man this is adding up quick, but when in Rome..... Oh well a little at a time, wish me luck!

 

Well done gentlemen, you have drunk the cool aide. Down the rabbit hole you go. Please keep posting your journey.

 

We are approaching the time when knowledge of the origin of "drinking the Kool-aid" becomes a revealer of one's age.

I prefer my Kool-aid sans-cyanide. I will resist.

On another note, I've heard of many that use pastes for finishing. Pasted balsa is quite popular in the knife arena, so I got them for my razors. So far I really like them.

What is the favored stropping media of others represented here?

 

For me I bought Lynn Abrams modular strop. I have two hard wool felt pads for it, one with .5 diamond spray and the other one with Chromium Oxide. I'm not sure which is best foe me yet. I am waiting on the last 3 hones to come in, then to start trying my hand at honing instead of just refreshing my edges on a strop. My current lineup of hones are as follows, all Naniwa specialty stores with the exception of a Kind Deluxe 1K for bevel setting per gssixgun's video on honing with Naniwa hones. :King Deluxe 1K bevel setter, Naniwa 1K, 3K, 5K, 8K, 10K, 12K. I've also purchased some 3M 700 tape and a roll of Kapton 1 mil tape. A DMT 325 Diamond lapping plate, 2 stone holders and lastly Lynn Abrams modular paddle strop with .5 Micron diamond spray and .5 Chromium Oxide spray. I've also purchased about 3 or 4 razors to work on my honing skills on. No big name razors like a W&B, Greaves, Dubl Duck, or Boker, but some decent vintage razors that I can start learning the art of honing on. All are hollow ground and around 5/8 with very little spine wear to them that I can tell. All my hones should be here by this weekend, I do have 4 of the hones already, the paddle strop DMT plate and 1 stone holder already here as well as the tape. Wish my luck as I am going to start honing next week I hope!

 

Have Fun!

 

Thanks, I still need to grid lap my hones and get them flat for use.

 

Now I feel old.... wait I learned that from the History channel.

 

Right there with ya! I just picked up some naniwas and all and need to Lapp them...reminder to soak them to readiness before lapping...

I mention because I almost jumped the gun lapping before their bath.

Now to get some victim straights that no one will miss

John

 

Yep, according to @gssixgun they need to soak a little before lapping. I'm going to be doing mine this weekend, just waiting on the last 2 hones to get here tomorrow from SRD, the 3000 and 10000. Got the King 1K, Naniwa 1K, 5K, 8K, 12K, adding the 3K and 10K so I can do just like Glens video King 1, Naniwa 1-3-5-8-10-12 then strop and shave.


Oh I've already got some victim straights that are ready, willing, ad able! Well maybe not so willing!

 

Soak them as long as you would normally soak before using then you can be sure that when lapped they will be consistently flat In your routine...I think...it's all a blur at this point

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but aren't the Naniwa stones splash and go, no soaking required?