Thread: Bevel setting problem on a fiili #10

Good day gentleman.

I brought a NOS inox 4/8 #10 Fillarmonica a while a go and I cant seem to get a decent bevel set. To my eye the spine looks good so no probs there.
I'll start by saying what Ive done. Using a lapped chosera 1k with no tape I started doing 40 circles in each direction followed by 20 x strokes. I 1st did this with no pressure 2-3 times, no luck. I then tried with slight pressure, I don't like to use too much pressure because Im worried about messing up my razors. Again no luck. I usually just spray and go but I tried soaking the chosera for 15 mins and also tried with slurry, all with no luck. Ive done countless sets but there doesn't seem to be any hone wear either. Whilst honing the water displacement is fully along the razor so I know my strokes are good but I noticed in Lynns video you can see swarf in the water though not with mine.
Ive set a bevel on about 5 razors so am no expert but the ones I have I could easily pop hairs on my arm and leg then I progressed from there. Other than send it out Im at a loss what too do?
Many thanks for any help.

Could you give us more details of how you are judging the edge?

If you are only trying cutting tests. Try LRT.

Also consider adding extra layers of tape until the bevel is set. Then drop down to one or none and proceed.

Jonathan

Ive found that if I can cut arm hairs cleanly along the length of a razor my bevel should be set. This is the only method ive tried to judge a bevel set (can't use thumb pad as my skins like leather) Will look into LRT. thanks

Magic marker test

Ive used a magic marker but that only tells me if the edge is in complete contact with my hone and can show if the spine is warped.

Tried LRT. I looked down the blade under a bright light- no bright spots everything looks good, tho Im not 100% I'm doing it right. Will go to the 3k and see what happens....

Just a thought here,,

The smaller blades can sometimes just be harder to hone, I don't really know why but I know when I get anything in under 4/8 I have to pay more attention to what I am doing... Personally I have chalked it up to my XL glove sized hands

Thanks Glen. Have read in other posts that the smaller razors can be a pain. Will persevere, the bevel is thin and nice and even, it does cut arm hair but not clean how I would consider a set bevel should be.
I will not be beaten!

Try doing additional X strokes in sets of twenty without circles and see if that improves your edge. If you have a loupe or microscope, take a look and see if the bevel on both sides is going all the way to the edge. It is really key to make sure you are keeping both the spine and the edge of the razor on the stone without putting more pressure on either as you are doing your strokes.

“NOS inox 4/8 #10 Fillarmonica” +
“Ive set a bevel on about 5 razors” +
“chosera 1k with no tape I started doing 40 circles in each direction followed by 20 x strokes. I 1st did this with no pressure 2-3 times” =
“Im worried about messing up my razors.”

So first, why no tape, with a NOS razor? Tape at least to protect the spine, once you learn to hone, then you can decide to use tape or not.
First ink the bevel and do one lap, are you reaching the edge? Both sides from heel to toe?

What magnification are you using?

Forget hair test for now, tape the spine, re-ink the bevel and do another lap.
Now are you reaching the edge?

Here is another visual light reflection test. If looking straight down, you see reflection, the bevel is not completely set at the edge.
Progress once you are absolutely sure the bevel is set, then progress to the next stone.

Light Reflection Test