Thread: the tip, just the tip!

Hi All. My name is jason and i am new to the honing game. i've been using a straight for about 5 years, but have only dabbled with honing until recently. i purchased naniwa stones - 400m 2k, 5k, 8, and 12k. i honed my daily shaver, dorko, using the pyramid method as described and it worked beautifully! i aslo have a stainless F.W.E. and that is proving to be a bit more difficult, as expected. to focus on the difficulty - the blade seems to be an absolute hair splitter for most of the blade. the part i can't seem to dial in on is the 1st .5 inch or so (the toe i believe it's referred to). any suggestions. i've read the bit about using tape vs. no tape.

i also have a dmt - 325. so i think i'm equipped to take this thing all the back, but...do i need to? am i missing something.

when looking closely at the area i'm referring to, the bevel seems to thin out on one side.

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

jason
new guy

ps. i apologize if this has been covered somewhere before.

You need to figure out what level the toe is at and work the toe from there. If the bevel is not set at the toe, go back to the 1k (or in your case your 2k). If the bevel is set on the toe but it's not shaving sharp, you need to assess whether you should start on the 5, 8, or 12. I would say try to focus in on the toe, but you will blend a bit into areas you have already got shaving.

Honing with just the toe on the hone (very carefully) or slightly lifting the scales to rock the blade onto the toe may help. X pattern should help too.

[QUOTE=jsbutts;582705] the part i can't seem to dial in on is the 1st .5 inch or so (the toe i believe it's referred to). any suggestions. i've read the bit about using tape vs. no tape.

i also have a dmt - 325. so i think i'm equipped to take this thing all the back, but...do i need to? am i missing something.

when looking closely at the area i'm referring to, the bevel seems to thin out on one side.

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

jason
new guy


Take it back a grit or two with a little finger pressure on the toe. Circles might be good here so you can isolate the problem area. No need to rebevel the whole thing. I find this problem on the heel much more often and it works every time.
Mike

Welcome to SRP Jason. I've been in the same boat. There are a few ways to go IME. First , have you tried shaving with the razor ? Sometimes the point or toe end may not be as sharp as the rest but it may be sharp enough.

You can approach it like holli4 or Mike recommended by focusing on the problem area. Whatever you do don't take it near the 325. If I had that blade I would take a magic marker and blacken the edge. After letting it dry I would do a couple of my normal strokes and see if the marker is removed.

I wouldn't be surprised if your point end isn't making full contact. Altering the stroke to assure contact the full length of the blade may be the answer. In a similar situation I had Lynn recommended 80 circles to improve the spine/edge relationship followed by the x strokes and normal pyramid honing. Below find a link to the SRP Wiki. The honing section will have a lot of good stuff to go with.

So i'm working away and none of these suggestions worked until i added scotch! i'm kidding...seriously...i can't say which one did the trick because i applied all suggestions simply because they made sense. I used the marker to mark the edge to determine the thin spot. i then zeroed in on the area with the 80 circles trick - thin further isolated the area with the finger trick - added a little scotch to calm my nerves all the while working the magic X and WHAM-O. i have not moved beyond the 5k yet but it's already popping hair no problem. thanks so much! i wish i could give you all a little of my scotch! here's to ya!

thanks again. i'll let you know what comes of the final product.

jbutts