Thread: First Honing

I purchased my razor here in the classifieds, it came shave ready and I was able to keep it sharp for 1 1/2 years with a Col. Conk Arkansas stone. When it came time to get a professional to hone the razor, I went to my local knife shop. They were unable to get the razor shave ready (thankfully they didn't charge me). The razor is now completely ineffective, worse than when I took it is in to the knife shop.

Before I foot the bill for a different razor, I wanted to know if anyone has any suggestions. The razor I purchased ($55) has a shamrock on it, so it might be a W. H. Morley & Sons Clover Brand, but it lacks any insignia on the tang (see picture). I don't have a way of knowing whether or not I was scammed here, or if my local knife shop is incompetent, or both (neither?). If I do have to purchase a razor, I'm afraid I will need to purchase a new razor from my local knife shop and hope that they are competent enough to sharpen the razors they sell. I'd rather stick with used, but I need something that works.

Any suggestions? Advice?

As a general rule, knife shops don't know anything about sharpening razors. That blade looks like it has plenty of life left and should hone up nicely. Check the SRP classifieds under member services, there are plenty of people there who can put a great edge on that razor.

If it shaved for over a year, the problem is that your knife shop is incompetent when it comes to razors.

Umm, I am new to this, but, is that picture AFTER the knife shop?

Look at the edge, that looks.. wrong. Take or send it to some one who does razors primarily.

Agree. I wouldn't give up on that one yet.

Send it to Lynn or Glen or one of the rest who offer honing services, I forget what they charge but it's not a lot (20 I THINK) and is well worth it.

It will come back wicked stupid sharp

Send it back to the guy who sold it to you, and pay him to sharpen it again. Apparently he did a good job the first time.

I don't understand .
If you were keeping the razor sharp on your Arkie , why did it need to be honed again ?

Diminishing rate of return. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong, or have poor technique, but it was becoming more and more difficult to shave with.

jk

It could be your stone . I never had good results with hard Arkies . I can't comment on the translucent or the black Arkies , because I've never tried them . Most , if not all , knife shops , and other sharpening shops don't know how to hone straight razors , and will hone them the same way they hone knives . Send your razor to a reputable honemiester , here on the forum . The knife shop , most likely honed it with the spine lifted , at an angle of around 24 degrees , so you will probably need to have the bevel reset . You may want to get a 4k/8k or similar hone to maintain your razor/s .