Thread: Can't reach my toes!

So I am honing one of my razors because for some reason it got really dull and wouldnt shave well (I think my wife dropped it and wont tell me). It's a smiling full hollow and 4/8s.

I broke out my 1k stone and started to set the bevel. I used the marker test to check my stroke as I am not confident in my abilities at honing a razor much less a smiling razor. On the first or second pass all the marker comes off and the bevel is set on 3/4s of the blade starting from the heel and can shave arm hair with ease but the toe cant unless I put alot of pressure and really not even then.

I understand that its most likely my technique and stroke and that the toe most not be hitting the hone but that seems to contradict what the marker test is telling me. By the way it is a 4/8s cox and sons full hollow and the stone is a 1k diamond stone and I am using a 45 degree heel forward x stroke and switch it up with a rolling motion too. I am using weight of the blade pressure and even tried resting my finger on the toe of the razor to put more pressure there. Oh yeah and I am using tape

If there is anything I am doing wrong or anything that I am not doing please let me know because I am baffled.

Oh and please forgive any spelling errors. I am writing this on my phone and cant see it very well.

Obviously the toe needs more work. If you are sure you're stroke is reaching the toe just concentrate your honing there till it gets sharp then even out the edge.

Yeah, onimaru is of course right, you could concentrate on the toe more. However, don't stress about it too much. How much do you actually USE the toe? I don't really use the toe of my razors at all, I use a lot of the heel to shave around my goatee and I use the belly of the razor; much less if at all the toe area. Having said that, I DO try and get a nice edge ALL the way along, but, if you're new to honing, you may wish to simply be satisfied with an edge that does not include a nice edge at the toe. As you become more proficient at honing you'll be able to get a nice edge all the way along on a smiling blade, but trying and trying now may cause you to get frustrated and wreck the rest of the edge.

Also, if you're new to SR shaving, having a toe that's very sharp can be detrimental. What I mean is that as you shave towards your jawline, a sharp toe can end up cutting your neck area.

I like to use a heel toward swipe to straight at end of stroke as the toe travels further. Can do as an x as well. Good luck

Well, I can now reach my toes. I added another layer of tape and increased the angle a bit more. I also realized that I have a more effective stroke when I am pushing the razor away from me so I used one hand for each side of the razor and boom! At the 1k level it is super easy to shave arm and leg hair and the TPT feels like sticky caramel all the way. There are some micro chips so I think I will take it to the coticule and hopefully take care of it. Perseverance prevails.

Well done! That's good to hear.

Originally Posted by cosperryan

There are some micro chips so I think I will take it to the coticule and hopefully take care of it. Perseverance prevails.

Maybe obvious to some but microchips look like of small circular bites in the edge. A burr or wire, on the other hand, looks like a raggedy edge.
Both could be remedied on the next stone but if the chips are from rust pits I would stay on the bevel setter till they clear.

Maybe this will help. Check out this link to three 'Honing a smiling wedge' videos by gssixgun. You will have to page through to get part 2 and 3. You should be able to apply the basic technique he uses, it has worked for me:
gssixgun videos | Watch gssixgun videos | gssixgun online videos | Download gssixgun videos | gssixgun live videos

Doughboy- trust me I've watched those videos lots. Although not on indiaeveryday.com.

Oz- Theres no rust on the blade and the person who honed it for me before said that particular razor tends to microchip and the chips are the small circular bites in the edge and its really only on the very tip of the toe so even then I am not to worried about them as I doubt that area will come into contact with my face often. But I would like to get a nice uniform edge along the entire length.

Originally Posted by cosperryan

But I would like to get a nice uniform edge along the entire length.

So you should.