Thread: Tips on honing/stroping a blade that won't lie flat

I recently purchased a new DOVO Classic Black, but did not opt for the prehoning.

My first shave was actually pretty good, except for some pulling. I thought that perhaps I should give it a go on the norton hone and see if it got better. Instead, I think it got worse. (surprise, surprise)

My second go on the hone, I felt that one side of the razor didn't lie flat on the stone, but wasn't sure.

Tonight, for my third attempt at honing, I marked the edge with a sharpie to see if it was in fact not touching along the whole edge. This proved to be the case.

When I had been stropping, I could feel some drag in one direction (which I thought to be a good thing), but little to none in the other. I realized tonight after my honing, that it was because on one side of the blade, when the spine lies flat, the edge doesn't.

So, I guess I'm just looking for some tips/techniques for dealing with this kind of problem. I'm patient, and I figure there's a way to do it (and furthermore that I'll be able to do it) so I'm hesitant to send it off for honing yet.

My initial solution is to rest my index finger on the blade as I pass it along the hone - half way for the front of the blade, and half for the back (adding no pressure other than my finger's weight)

On the strop, I add some pressure with my thumb to keep the edge in touch with the strop (the problem is on the side when the edge is facing me)

I'll let more experienced blade masters respond. But, I will say welcome to the board!

Jordan

Welcome!
Sounds like either the blade is warped or the spine has a funny shape. Take a good look and contact the seller I would say, I think the bevel of a new razor should be making full contact with the hone, unless your hone is not ablsolutely flat. In the latter case you should have the same with other razors.

If the stone is properly lapped and you're still experiencing the feel I'd suggest a narrower stone. I bought narrower stones as not all blades are perfect. When I'm honing on the 3 inch wide hones I'll start the uneven blades with the heel lower than the tip. pull down and away with a motion that brings the tip down and eventually even with the heel right about when the tip nears the bottom corner I'm dragging the blade towards. This is basically what others have called "the smiley" in other posts. I understand it eventually puts an edge on the blade that resembles a slight smile. It shaves quite well like this with no problems. I prefer the narrower hone as it seems to do better over all for my preferences and techniques.

Both of these techniques are suggestions I received on here times past.


Also there's the extreme of having it reground for the more serious problems.

Hope this helps.


Glen F