Thread: To sharpen the heel or not to sharpen the heel? That is the question.

I've had a few of those 'bay razors that have to have heel work before they can be properly honed.

Don't some people hang the heel slightly off the stone to make sure it doesn't get honed? Glen, I know that now for future blades but I'm too lazy to go back and redo a bunch of blades that shave well with shoulder, bevel creep. I honestly try and find shoulderless blades with half hollow or heavier grinds now. That does not seem to leave a lot of options for new factory blades though.

what ever sits flat on the hone gets it

By the way... Is it weird I'm currently honing while watching Battlestar Galactica on Netflix and intermittently checking SRP threads or is this a normal thing for ya'll as well?

Nope not weird at all sounds perfectly normal to me


The problem that will eventually develop by "Hanging the Heel" or from the Shoulder getting in the way is a Hooked Heel which will cut ya, I know myself and other have pics of them on here you might try a quick search...

I know what you mean; there was just a thread recently where I guy had that issue on his restore. Actually, I really enjoyed your breadknifing vid and learned a ton especially about contouring the shoulder. I never knew to do that as well when shaping the heel. Thanks for taking the time to do all of those for the benefit of everyone! Since it eventually causes the heel spur why do guys do it? I try to get the entire blade each time and after watching that vid I now know to preemptively pull back that shoulder. Unfortunately, I have enough new projects in the pipes I probably won't go back until a thorough rehone is needed or I plan to sell to feed the RAD.

Honestly I can't answer, there is so much info on here about how to fix issues etc:

I can't say why people just don't ask like you just did, SRP has a wealth of info and members that are right here to help out

I mute the very point of a razor and the heel - like a mm of each and not much muting, just a little on my finest stone, just so they can't scratch or cut on the tip.

I had a french tip razor early in my shaving history where the edge went out the tip and up a little (e.g., it went around the tip like a machete), I don't know why. I didn't mute it at the time and got a fillet type cut from it.

I never hang the heel, like glen says, it turns into a digging tool if done too often. just mute the last little bit of it if you're worried about getting an unwanted scratch or dig.