Thread: Heel and toe of razor gets sharp, but not the middle.

here are a few pics. ( I made the scales, they are kinda chunky) I can probably take a pic through my jeweler's loupe if you need a closer image

just by those pics,,, look at the edge in photo # 2 & I see the bevel higher in the area that you are concerned with,,,this could mean a problem at your spine.

That kind of threw me for a loop too. I'm just not sure how to over come the issue. I am ensuring that the blade is making level contact with the stones on each pass by watching the water displacement. I've also tried applying slight extra pressure to that spot which is dull by using the index finger on my left hand to slightly push down on that area while honing. I'm wondering if since I am doing X-strokes if the middle of the blade is somehow scraping the corner of the stone and making it dull. I sort of rounded the edge of my 4k with another whetstone to see if that helped to relieve the issue.

This is where I tag out,,, I have only corrected one other problem similar to this,,, so I'm going to let one of the guys that hone regularly/daily give you advice on how you should proceed from here,,,,

You want to correct your honing gymnastics to hone "Toward" a smile

There are several ways to do this..

1. In the Wiki is a Barber's manual that describes a technique (not a big fan here)
2. Watch one or all of three Vids

Charlie Lewis aka Spazola has a Vid about honing a smiling blade
Alex aka Philadelph has one much the same
Glen aka gssixgun (Me) has one on honing a smiling wedge

The technique that we all show using what most call a "Swooping Heel Forward" stroke will naturally hone toward a smile and that should solve your issue on all razors and give you a smooth even edge


**This is not a drastic fix it a a gentle push that eliminates the tendency for many people to hone a frown into a blade it also hones around a warp or spine issue**

Thanks gssixgun, I will check out your videos and see if that Swooping Heel Forward does the trick. I appreciate your input. I'll do some studying, then give it a try and hop back on in a while to let y'all know if it solved the problem! I wish there was someone in the Houston Texas area that could mentor me, but like everything else I've ever done,Ii just jump in and sink or swim!

Check the mentor list too but I am pretty sure there are quite a few TX based Mentors and Honers maybe one will see this

or

You can escape the heat and come on up to the Northwoods and hang out with me for a day or two

Here are 2 more pics. one of each side, maybe these show the differences in wear on both sides.

I am going to bow out here too and leave the advising to more senior honers as too many cooks spoil a pie. Before going I will almost bet the spine/blade has a slight warp/twist and a rolling/rocking X stroke might be the ticket. The bevel looks wider on one side and thinner on the corresponding spot on the other side where you are having your troubles.

Bob

A photo of the blade/bevel on the other side of the blade from photo #2 might be an idea too.

Bob