Need Help Sharpening Razor

I have been shaving and maintaining a razor for a while and decided to try my hand at sharpening a razor that had no bevel. I have set the bevel and it will dig into my thumb when I do the TNT. However, the blade will not shave any hair off my arm. I am using a norton 4k/8k and I know it can be done but I am not sure what I am doing wrong. When I look at the razor that I know is hair popping sharp I can see the bevel reflects light back in the same manor all along the bevel. However, on this blade I am working on the edge of the blade is a little rougher then the rest of the bevel. I can seem to get it to even out. I have attached pictures of the blade through my loupe. Can someone please help me?

Attachment 177413Attachment 177414Attachment 177415

Much like your Screen Name jamorton

There is a very informative thread on here called the JaNorton that deals specifically using the Norton 4-8 and has more info on that hone then you could ever believe

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...on-2012-a.html

Your bevel is not copmplete or that is one big shiny wire edge.
If pics are of same area, razor may even be warped.

It might seem you are not yet hitting the edge. I hope too much pressure is not the culprit?
Good idea is to go to 'beginners' subforum and introduce your self. Tell your tale there, meet some guys. ;)

It is not the bevel because I just took a sharpie to it and it came right off.

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Originally Posted by jamorton

It is not the bevel because I just took a sharpie to it and it came right off.

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Well...Something is bad wrong. The edge is jagged. Breadboard and start over. Tape the spine? Best I can say!

Where are ya from? Your best help would be a face to face meeting with someone proficient at the hones...

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Originally Posted by jamorton

It is not the bevel because I just took a sharpie to it and it came right off.

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The bevel is not set correctly, you got a burr on there or a wired edge, you want a true edge like the pic below.
Attachment 177418

Type local Help in the search block and click on the first post shown. Takes you to a list, by states, of Mentors that are available for one on one sessions.

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Originally Posted by Martin103

The bevel is not set correctly, you got a burr on there or a wired edge, you want a true edge like the pic below.
Attachment 177418

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What is the best way of going about fixing this?

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Originally Posted by shooter74743

Where are ya from? Your best help would be a face to face meeting with someone proficient at the hones...

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Originally Posted by Razorfeld

Type local Help in the search block and click on the first post shown. Takes you to a list, by states, of Mentors that are available for one on one sessions.

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I tried that first, I am from Georgia. One of the only states that does not have anyone listed. No one is anywhere near me.

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Originally Posted by jamorton

What is the best way of going about fixing this?

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You could try back honing with very light pressure, spine leading instead of edge, for a stroke or two. The a very light stroke or two edge leading. Then see what the edge looks like.

Bob

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Originally Posted by jamorton

I have set the bevel and it will dig into my thumb when I do the TNT. However, the blade will not shave any hair off my arm. I am using a norton 4k/8k

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Originally Posted by jamorton

What is the best way of going about fixing this?

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Doing the TNT would automatically eliminate the Burr or Wire edge,, thus leaving a slightly dulled True edge, a few laps and you should be able to pop hair..

ASSUMING that you set the bevel

Welcome to SRP!

Where abouts in Georgia are you?
I'm in NW South Carolina and travel to Commerce pretty often and I'm pretty sure there is a group in Atlanta.

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Originally Posted by criswilson10

Welcome to SRP!

Where abouts in Georgia are you?
I'm in NW South Carolina and travel to Commerce pretty often and I'm pretty sure there is a group in Atlanta.

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I live just west of Atlanta, and work in Atlanta.

Look at the edge, not the bevel. Look straight down to see if they meet.

What is the brand of the razor and what was the condition before you started honing it.

Some photos of the whole razor and of the blade may help.

IMHO, I think that you are using to much pressure and thus causing the wire edge. Try just the weight of the blade on the hone to see if that doesn't eliminate the wire.

I'm not seeing it as a wire, but as an edge that has not had the bevel set yet. It looks too big for a wire to me.

Showing us the whole razor would save us consulting the runes . ;)

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Originally Posted by jamorton

I tried that first, I am from Georgia. One of the only states that does not have anyone listed. No one is anywhere near me.

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In the Atlanta area is Crouton 976, a senior member. He has helped other shavers. PM him and see if he can help you.

Speculation time!!! This is probably wrong! But I like been corrected :D :chop:

Is the blunt spot about 1 inch in from the heel?

This is a guess but if you put the razor on a glass block I suspect you have a high spot either on the shoulder, or where the shoulder meets the spine. Or a high shank. That's causing the blade to change angle mid stroke.

Try using 1 layer of tape, Applied so it starts 1/8" before the shoulder, And when you hone, Hone heel forward at an angle so none of the shoulder touches the stone at all.

If the spot is 1 inch away from the toe it could be you dropping your elbow as you hone. This will twist the razor into the hone and try to add a partial second bevel as you finish the stroke. To remedy is sit straight backed as you hone and move your hone to an angle where your elbow doesn't need to move for the stroke.

I suspect the reason we are not seeing the second bevel in full is the 4K has removed enough material that the 8K side simply isn't touching that spot at all.

Okay, after finding this thread and seeing the pictures, I have to agree with Oz on this one. It looks like the bevel hasn't been completely set. Granted, this is what my novice eyes are seeing, but I would bet a wooden nickel that either it just needs more time setting the bevel or, less likely, the blade geometry is off or you're not keeping good contact with the spine while trying to set the bevel. Another possibility is that your stones aren't lapped well, making it difficult to get the bevel set completely. Either way, you've either been grinding away so much to create a wire edge, which is doubtful, or it just needs some time and/or finesse on the hones to set the bevel.

This is also assuming you're working with a decent quality blade and not a razor shaped object.

Can you tell us what kind of razor this is, or, better yet, post some more pics?

If it's a good razor that can be fixed, I'll certainly give it a try on my Norton stones for ya.

Edit: after reading your latest PM, and for those following this thread, I understand that this is an unmarked razor.

I'm still happy to take a look to see if we can get you set up. I can't promise anything, but we can certainly try. :)

Just PM me about when you're free and we'll work something out about when.

One word, "Weight of the blade", I could be wrong, it has been known to happen from time to time.

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Originally Posted by guitstik

One word, "Weight of the blade", I could be wrong, it has been known to happen from time to time.

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You are wrong... That's four words! :) :) :)

(Sorry, I couldn't help myself)