Thread: First attempt at setting bevel and honing

So I took my first attempt at honing the GD not the greatest job but is was the best shave so far. I reset the bevel then honed to 8k and shaved from there. It is better now then out of box. Defiantly going to get something out of the classified to see what a real razor feels like. The only problem I had was getting an even bevel across the blade. No matter how many times i tried to set the bevel it alway seemed smaller on one end and smaller on the opposite end of other side. Toe on side a heal on side b. Is that something I did or somethingwrong with spine or just the fact that it is a GD. Any advice trying to learn. I have family scouring antique store and sendi g anything they find my way to hone my craft 9 so far.

I am no hone god but the issue you are having is most likely the spine and or grind. These are RSO's or Razor Shaped Objects. Yes they can be made to shave but at the end of the day they are not the best. I bought one simply to play with and I tried honing it and it never ever came out right. Mine has a warped spine and it is not ground evenly. I say if you are getting one out of the classifieds you are going to be better off with that, it should hone easier and shave better. best of luck in the future

I had the same problem with one GD i bay to learn how to hone. Is the spine. But out of my experience witch is small if you manage to hone as a new in honing a GD then you can hone most of the new razors.

Check the trueness on a piece of glass or marble tile, to ensure everything is flat. That being said, I bought a GD to learn on, too. Luckily, mine was true. After setting the bevel on a 1K, I went to 4, then 8. Stropped 25 laps on linen, 50 on black paste, 40 on red paste, 75 on leather. Shaves nicely, but needs more aftercare than a better quality steel razor.

I did more less the same think but the first honing gave me 3 shaves now I have broken my record 5 shaves same procedure. The metal is not good enough to hold the age. I now only one will say 37 shaves only with stropping. Am too new to disagree.

I learned to hone on German and American made razors that I had bought in very good condition. They all are very nice razors,even after learning to hone with them. A single layer of tape to protect the spine and watch your pressure. If you do not have to wonder if it is the razor or your honing it makes learning a little easier. Gold Dollars do have a following. I think if you switch up to a well regarded brand you will find it a little easier. There were hundreds of maker in Germany between 1900 and 1930. There are still many of their razors out there in very good condition at very affordable prices.

Recently I discover it on eBay and I have already order two Solingen and one Sheffield I hope this will help (I’m sure you are right).

Yes, the razor is warped or ground unevenly or both. GD’s are notorious for this.

Most razors have some warp and will not produce an even bevel on both sides, it is a product of the heat treat.

Really it does not matter, what the bevels look like, as long as you are honing to the edge and setting the bevel fully. Some sharpie ink on the bevels will tell you if you are.

GD's often have to have some grinding done to get the geometry correct.

You spelled 'honemeister' wrong.