Thread: Need some advice

Ok, so I 've got a nice little AMA #42 4/8" razor which was given to me recently and which is in fantastic condition. I set the bevel on an Ice Bear 1000 grit stone and honed it on 4k,6k and 8 k Norton then I finished it on my Thuringian stone then on a CrO pasted leather then 50 passes on my SRD latigo. This regime has given me some tasty edges on my other razors but on this one it just doesn't seem to work.
any ideas??

Did you check the bevel with magnification? The bevel, or lack of, is usually the problem.

Originally Posted by Wayne1963

Did you check the bevel with magnification? The bevel, or lack of, is usually the problem.

Yea, that is where I usually goof up, moving off the bevel setting hone before it is really set.

Bob

If you don't have access to magnification, try the magic marker test. Lightly draw on the bevel to blacken it--being sure to have the motion going slightly from spine to edge. Hone a few strokes on the 1k (you're going to have to start over anyway) and see if the marking is removed all the way to the edge. Unfortunately a bit of magnification would help here too--even a magnifying glass would help.

Are you taping the spine?

Just when you think you have honing somewhat figured out, a razor like that shows up and sends you back to square one. Recently I've had some trouble with a few razors that have proved to be tough to dial in. I haven't solved them all yet but what I've been finding is that changing something in the routine might be the key. Another layer of tape might help. A trip back to a lower grit like a 4k might help. A 4k with slurry then water might help. A micro bevel might help. Going back and forth between higher grits might help. But when I run into a problem razor, I usually try to stay away from natural stones since they can add many more variables in an already complicated situation.

When you say “it does not work”, what do you mean?

Some photos will help.

If you mean it is not shaving… either the bevel was not “fully” set or you damaged the edge in the polishing process. Or being a 4/8’s it could be the bevel angle eg over honed spine. Photos?

What is an AMA razor?

How are you determining the bevel was “Fully Set”?

Sometimes it's not a honing problem, but a shaving problem.
I've had razors that I just couldn't seem to get as good as others. I finally realized these razors were really sensitive to my angle while shaving. Seems to me that some razors will let us shave with a sloppy 35-45 degree angle while others must have the proper 30 degree angle. Try keeping the spine really close to your skin. Just a thought.

Thanks to all who replied, I honed it on a taped spine and I do have access to magnification and the bevel seems to be neat and true and grabs on thumb pad test, it just doesn't shave nearly as well as my other larger specimens,so Dancraig may have it and I'll need to adjust my shaving technique for the smaller blade.
I'll go back to the 1k and repeat the exercise then try the technique change.
Thanks again everyone.