Thread: What is hone wear?

Originally Posted by Del1r1um

Actually this would be an example of what to stay away from. The flattening of the spine at the heel is so large and uneven with corresponding relatively small and uneven bevel at that part, that it means the razor is either terribly ground, very incompetently honed, or warped. This is the kind of W&B I'll be very wary of going for since their quality is so inconsistent.

Originally Posted by sapito318

Hone wear is not a bad thing. It is a normal occurence that will eventually happen to all razors when honed without taping the spine.

Here is a decent example of something that you would want to avoid: Bad Hone Wear

That razor has a lot of uneven hone wear, and also a slight frown. You would not want to pick that up and expect great results without lots of experience in fixing those issues, and especially not at that price.

However, razors with hone wear such as the Wade & Butcher pictured above, are acceptable levels of hone wear. There are good and bad hone wears. The W&B above is normal/good hone wear. The linked razor here in this post, is not good hone wear. Keep an eye out for the telltale signs of good and bad hone wear and you will be OK.

Hone wear will also occur on the bevel when a razor is taped. The bevel will get wider over time.

I am not a fan of purchasing razors with hone wear and look for minimal to none when I am buying a razor. From a stand point of shaving, most that have an acceptable or minimal amount of hone wear that is relatively the same on both sides of the razor can be honed without too much problem and continue to be serviceable forever. It really boils down to whether you want a great looking razor that shaves or a very worn looking razor that shaves. Pocket book can play a big part in this decision.

Have fun,

Lynn

By G-man definition

Good hone wear is on the stone
Bad hone wear is on the spine


Yes, yes, Thank You,,,, shows at 4, 6, and 8pm

Originally Posted by gugi

Actually this would be an example of what to stay away from. The flattening of the spine at the heel is so large and uneven with corresponding relatively small and uneven bevel at that part, that it means the razor is either terribly ground, very incompetently honed, or warped. This is the kind of W&B I'll be very wary of going for since their quality is so inconsistent.

Hmm... Well, after thinking about it maybe "good" is not the correct word to use. Probably something more like "OK" or "acceptable"? The W&B pictured definitely has some hone wear, however considering the size it is still w/in range of a "reasonable" amount, IMO. Obviously the razor has seen some use, but is still quite servicable. Of course, if the blade were smaller, that amount of hone wear would not be desirable.

I guess what I am trying to convey, is that a lot of beginners are thwarted by the "dreaded hone wear" and would pass up an otherwise excellent shaver, where "light/mild/heavy/ hone wear" is mentioned by an honest seller. Hone wear will happen eventually, whether it be the spine or the edge from a taped spine. IMO it is mostly aesthetics. A razor with a reasonable amount of (even) hone wear can still be an excellent shaver, aesthetics aside.

Another example ......

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Another example ......

Now that's just a shame....

Originally Posted by Del1r1um

Now that's just a shame....

Indeed! And an excellent example of uneven hone wear.

Originally Posted by sapito318

Indeed! And an excellent example of uneven hone wear.

Not only that, but that's about 150 years worth of hone wear