Thread: My first attempt at a razor

I just went back and cut the blade down using a piece of electrical tape on the spine to use as a guide. Will that work for getting the correct bevel set?

Some people use tape, but depending on your spine thickness, you may be ok without it. It certainly looks the part anyhow. It's a nice binding you have on the tang/handle?

Very nice blade!!

Ray

Originally Posted by shooter74743

The spine is the guide. Even with a kamisori you don't freehand. Look at pics of kamisori's and you will see that all are laid flat on the stone on each side. I personally don't know how to hone a kamisori, but remember reading that you do several strokes on one side and one on the other. All razors should have a built in "guide".

+1. This is one of the big difference with knives. You don't ever freehand a razor. It will get sharp as a knife, but there is a whole level of 'sharpness' for which you need a fine stone and a fixed angle, because any slight variation in angle will undo the previous work. This is why razors have a thick spine. The spine acts as a guide (with or without tape, depending on circumstances and preference)