Thread: Can't get the edge sharp near the toe?

I have honed 3 razors so far. The first one was a touch up on my Naniwa 12k and it went really well. The second was my fathers vintage razor that went from a 6.5/10 in sharpness to a 9.25/10. I followed almost exactly a youtube video Lynne made sharping with Naniwa stones that used circle strokes and X strokes. Imo it was a success but I couldn't get a few micro chips out near the toe.

I just finished an Ebay razor I just bought. I follow the same progression and technique I used with my dads razor.
I did the following
1) Bester 1200: 40 circles per side with pressure followed by 25 X patterns per side with pressure
2) King Icebear 4000: 40 circles with pressure per side, 40 circles with just the weight of blade per side, and 5 X strokes per side with just the weight of blade.
3) Naniwa SS 8k: 10 X strokes per side with just the weight of blade
4) Naniwa SS 12k: 15 X strokes per side with just the weight of blade.
5) Tested the blade. The edge of the blade near the heel was really sharp 9.5/10. The toe was about a 7.5/10.
6) I stroped about 25 per side. The edge became a tad bit sharper but the heel was still much sharper.


Any tips?

I went through all the stones again trying the pigtail method. I did about 25 per side on 1200, 20 per side with 4k, 20 per side with 8k, 20 per side with 12k. It helped a little but still not near perfect.



I also noticed that on my 1200 grit Bester, I do not get any black metal particles but I try and press pretty hard. The stone is white so I would hope to see some. I soaked it for about 25 minutes. I did get a little metal particles on the other stones but still not much. Maybe I am not pressing hard enough?

A simple yet effective way to "see" what you are doing on a stone is to get a magic marker and paint the edge on both sides with it. Then hone as usual for a couple of normal strokes and take a look at where the marker has been worn off.

This way you can try different strokes (sounds to me as though you might have to do some rolling X strokes, slightly lifting the heel as the toe approaches the end of the hone) to see what is working and what is not.

Good luck!

James.

I just got done with a similar problem.. The edge was honing up nicely except the damn toe.. So went over my good friend mjsorkins today and he showed me lifting the heel slightly while getting towards the edge of the hone really corrects the toe.. Good luck

That and if you are only a little short, 2 handed hone with one finger on the toe can get you there.

Difficulty getting the toe sharp is often a function of how your arm is positioned during the honing stroke. Lifting the honing elbow to the level of the hone or just above it will allow the blade to lay flat on the hone.