Thread: Edge thickness?

Just wondering what some of you builders take your edge down to before honing a razor? I recently destroyed my 2nd attempt at a razor build. I took it down to 0.005, which I thought was ok, I do kitchen knives pretty damn thin too sometimes, but this razor I could actually bend and break the edge with my finger nail. I assume I botched the HT on it (I run an evenheat kiln) but this is the first for me have a blade be so messed up. Bummer to because I was almost done! Everything seemed as usual right up to the last few grits of hand sanding. Live'n learn (and cry a little.)

I have been going to .004" or .005" on post HT grinding with about .010" 1/4" back from the edge.

Yea I definitely messed up the heat treat somehow. I have no idea how or where though, I just did the usual. 1500 in the evenheat, 130* canola, 2 temper cycles at 400. I have another razor I made at the same time as this, only rough ground so far, so I'm going to redo the whole HT process.

btw That looks sweet, bluesman! What size wheel do you get in there with? I only have a 5" for my smallest right now

Originally Posted by markjeffrey

That looks sweet, bluesman! What size wheel do you get in there with? I only have a 5" for my smallest right now

Thanks. That one is a 6/8. I used 1.25", 3" and a 4"

Curious minds want to know the steel type?

That looks like the edge overheated maybe... but it might be that it was just too thin... i can usually flex the edge with a thumbnail when thin enough... if it just folds it probably overheated...