Thread: Suggestions for honing razors prone to microchipping?

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

For those who don't use magnification I would bet you'd be surprised at what some of your good shaving edges might look like under 30x or better. A case of what you don't know won't hurt you.

I've been meaning to start a thread about that.

I know some shaving edges look scary as hell, but shave really nice.
BUT
Do the perfect edges last more shaves between honing ??

Originally Posted by randydance062449

One other approach is to use 3 layers of tape on the spine. This increases the angle and results in a thicker/stronger edge.

If you measure the blade, what is the blade width divided by the spine thickness? Is the number 4 or more? If so then seriously consider 3 layers of tape.

I do agree with staying away from diamond hones. They are harsh on an edge.

Just my humble opinion,

Thanks Randy.

that stainless the other night just took a crap ton (that's about 2.5 regular tons for you non farm types) of laps on the Shapton

and thank you for the math on the tape
I like doing things in a scientific way

SO.............

is the 2k shapton ok for this particular task? (bevel setting without wreckin it)

do I need to just stick with the high grit stones?

Originally Posted by gratewhitehuntr

is the 2k shapton ok for this particular task? (bevel setting without wreckin it)

do I need to just stick with the high grit stones?

I can't guarantee that the 2k Shapton won't chip your particular razor's edge but I can say that I really like the way my Shapton professional 2k performs. Feels a lot smoother than the 1k pro and really get the edge ready for the next step IME. I would buy it again.

I was looking at glass

I'm sure the PRO is nice, but not so much with da price. LOL

Originally Posted by gratewhitehuntr

I was looking at glass

I'm sure the PRO is nice, but not so much with da price. LOL

I'm sure the glass is fine. I went with the pro series because 15mm of stone seemed more attractive to me than 5mm. When you read that the glass stones are 10mm that includes the glass. I imagine that 5mm of honing surface would last a lifetime anyhow.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I can't guarantee that the 2k Shapton won't chip your particular razor's edge

bah ! just lost a big reply

it wasn't my razor that was concerning me

I was very seriously considering Ron's route of offering free honing to establish myself as a honer.

but the other day someone came by with a stainless razor and it whooped my butt
right in front of everyone

the DMTs are going back
the 8K sucking so hard is why I was using the giant Swaty
of course it wasn't much better on stainless or heavy chippers

Originally Posted by gratewhitehuntr

I was very seriously considering Ron's route of offering free honing to establish myself as a honer.

I was thinking of doing that too but Sham is already doing it along with Ron and now Leighton so I figured that just to compete I would have to be the first to say I will pay the owner if I can hone their razor but then I decided to forget it. I may as well keep buying the ebay specials and I will break even.

Originally Posted by gratewhitehuntr

do we feel that a Shapton 8K would fit this bill?
or something softer?

I do not have a Shapton 8K but judging by the hardness of the 1500 and 5K I would say get a soft coticule or Belgian blue instead. Someone suggested taking an Escher after the 4K Norton: not a bad thought either.

Originally Posted by gratewhitehuntr

I've had enough now that I need a solution.

So far my solution has been 200 circles on the escher with slurry.

A lot has been said before me except this.
Greatwhitehuntr make 200 on Escher is unacceptable.
Escher is final touch stone not sharpener. Your blade should be almost shave ready condition before you go to Escher.
hope this helps.

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

Greatwhitehuntr make 200 on Escher is unacceptable.
hope this helps.

why you are thinking I am make this posting?

Your over thinking it...
But, yes a Shapton, will do fine I don't think it comes down to a brand of stone though... If it did I would go Naniwa if I had a lot of SS razors to do... (That is just a personal opinion so far on them)

Here is a trick OK, if you are having trouble getting a blade to pop on any stone, you have to change it up...

Remember the definition of insanity "Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome"

As you are honing, are you doing the same stroke??? whichever one???
Then toss in a different one.... I switch on every razor I showed this in NC...
If you were honing say 20 laps on the 8k (any 8k) Start with 4 laps straight down the hone then 1 X stroke then 4 straight then 1 X...
Spin the stone so you are honing on the other side now and go 4 X strokes and 1 straight then repeat 4 X 1 straight.... One, this creates a very, very even edge.... Two, you are changing the cutting angle to the stone which gives a very smooth edge...

I came up with this while buffing out pitting and stains on restores, I noticed that if you kept going in the exact same direction sometimes it was if the compound stopped cutting, I changed the direction and BAM!! I would get results , then I would go back and smooth it up.... This also is part of the theory of a pyramid honing technique...

So I started doing the exact same thing while honing mostly slight heel forward interchanged with true X strokes... You might try it out and see if you get the same results....