Thread: Uneven spine wear causing problems setting bevel

Okay guys I'm having trouble setting the bevel on a razor of mine. There is a large amount of uneven spine wear. I am having trouble only setting one small corner of the bevel on the side with the etching (very faded) the corner with by the heel is still reflecting light in a different direction. It will shave arm hair. My question is... Is there any way to fix this bevel without using tape? Should I just keep on honing until it has evened out? I'm at a loss right now to either keep going or just finish honing and cut the heel from my routine.

Have you tried sharpie (magic marker test)? With that test you can see where is touching the stone. Then you may do some rolling x strokes. Uneven bevel is not a big problem if you are sure about tbe bevel is set.

I have been using rolling x strokes for the first time and they are helping a lot.

The hone wear is showing up as an incorrect stroke for the razor..

Now is it you or the spine ???

Put a layer of tape on there,

Hone

Look at the tape wear, if it is the same then the issue is you and not the razor.


Imagine a snowy road with wheel ruts going down it, the tape acts as a plow that evens out the surface, so now you can create your on tracks..
If your tracks are still uneven then you need to adjust the honing stroke...

Once you figure it out then you can drop the tape and adjust accordingly if you want..

Originally Posted by gssixgun

The hone wear is showing up as an incorrect stroke for the razor..

Now is it you or the spine ???

Put a layer of tape on there,

Hone

Look at the tape wear, if it is the same then the issue is you and not the razor.


Imagine a snowy road with wheel ruts going down it, the tape acts as a plow that evens out the surface, so now you can create your on tracks..
If your tracks are still uneven then you need to adjust the honing stroke...

Once you figure it out then you can drop the tape and adjust accordingly if you want..

Thank you for taking the time to respond to this and pass on some advice. I received the razor in this condition. I will follow your advice and put a layer of tape on there. Would I continue to do a rolling x stroke with the tape on there? You're saying that if the wear marks on the tape are exactly the same as the spine I am doing something wrong? If they are nice and even then it is not of my doing?

I used a layer of tape and instantly my bevel's sharpness rose substantially. The tape is also wearing in a straight line. Would I assume that this razors only chance at salvation lies in the piece of tape covering it's hone worn spine?

Pat yourself on the back it is the razor. not you

If you want to hone without tape then one of two things has to happen,

1. Grind the crap out of the spine until it is even with the edge, may not even be possible
2. Adapt with a whole new twist on honing gymnastics and carefully applied pressure to hone around the "Off" spine, Oh Yea, Oh Joy, Oh Rapture


Oh Yeah, of course the one layer of tape will obviously work, you have proved that already

Merry Christmas !!!

Mr. Glen, you made my day. I am relieved to find out that it was razor! I did want to hone without tape but prior to using a layer of tape I must've done 400+ strokes to try and even the spine out to the edge. I am now fully satisfied with the edge I got honing with a layer of tape. Much better then the edge before I put the tape on. I learned a few things today. The rolling X stroke being one of them but the other being that sometimes it isn't you, its the razor. Hate to be a bother but on a different note why is my water stone so thirsty it seems I can never get a swarf build up because I am spraying the damn thing every 30 seconds. It is rather annoying but if that's how they all are then what can I do. Merry Christmas to you too. Thank you.

Sorry Scott, I didn't see where you say the type/brand of water stone

Use a squirt bottle, some stones are that way and need to be soaked before use.

Buy better razors and make your life easier, don’t buy razors with hone ware on the spine, there is always another razor.