Quote Originally Posted by Noswad View Post
Beautiful job, Mike. Please post a before picture if you have one.
Sadly, I took none. I was totally focused on whatever crud it was that was coating the blade. Weirdest stuff I ever saw on a blade. What I think might have happened was the blade was coated with something trying to preserve it at some point way back in the past. And whatever that was (chemical, oil, etc.) had hardened and discolored so it made an imitation patina.

It had no scales, had some rust around the pivot and was black. The edge had a slight frown which I was able to fix without too much trouble, and had a fair amount of hone wear.

I also found that this particular razor had a specific way it wanted to be honed. My first try at honing it got it sharp and a decent bevel, but it just didn't 'satisfy' my senses like I thought it should. I honed it again, this time starting on the 800 instead of 1k and worked my way through my progression with the lightest pressure I could control.

That time it came out wonderfully, sends whiskers running and screaming. The test shave was pure bliss.

M