Thread: stabilizers in the way

i just started honing a Bengall and got all kinds of swarf on the 4k because the stabilizers were in contact with the stone. so i rode them up and down the edge of the stone with a lot of pressure, then beveled the edge of the stone with a dmt 325 and started over.
i got a nice bevel that cut hair all along the blade. so i took it to the 8k, after beveling the edges and got very little swarf. as soon as the patriots finish off the texans i'm going onto a 12k naniwa.
what does one do when the stabilizers grind like they did? i mean, someone who knows what he's doing?

Hang the shoulders and stabilizers off the hone and do heel leading strokes. And hone it like 45 degrees to the hone(spine on the hone now) this way you are bypassing the shoulders and stabilizers. Should work fine as I typically hone this way all the time.

On some razors that is a problem as the blade wear narrows blade width and exposes the stabilizer. Some are that way from the factory, design flaw.

I do what you did, reshape the stabilizers but use a diamond plate or EZE lap ¾ inch hones. A set of eze lap hones is about 10 dollars. I lay the razor on a piece of foam and use the plate like a file.

You can use a Dremel with a rotary sanding drum, but be careful a slip can be costly. Hones are slower, but safer.

When I get a vintage razor I look at the stabilizer before honing to see if it has been hitting the stone. You will see grind marks on the stabilizer and an uneven bevel, wider at the toe.

If you are not sure if you are hitting, paint the stabilizer with sharpie ink and do a few laps.

You also want to check the shape of the heel to ensure a hook is not forming. The EZE laps are great for reshaping a hooked heel as well.

Originally Posted by bill3152

Hang the shoulders and stabilizers off the hone and do heel leading strokes. And hone it like 45 degrees to the hone(spine on the hone now) this way you are bypassing the shoulders and stabilizers. Should work fine as I typically hone this way all the time.

Good idea but on worn razors can lead to the hook or spur at the heel that Euclid440 mentions.
If you like your edges all the way to the heel, fix the heel.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...ing-heels.html