Hi,

I have a Saunders near wedge that has a curved blade. After about 9 shaves, with stropping on webbing and leather. In between, it is pulling some, and I'm getting some irritation in spots.

I looked at the edge, and there is about 1/4" at the very toe, and 1/2" at the heel, where it appears "shiny". I don't see it rolled, so I'm guessing it is dull. On the 8th save, I did 25 passes on cr-on, but it didn't improve at all, and the shiny spots are still visible.

My suspicion is that I'm not stropping the heel and toe well. Suggestions from the forum are to try rolling x stokes, while I'll try. In the meantime, I decided to try honing (my second time ever, first on this blade).

On my 12k Naniwa, I tried 40 rolling x strokes, with no noticeable improvement. I did 140 strokes focused on the heel, with straight strokes, applying light pressure on the heel area with finger from my other hand. It was improving in that area, but not much. Note: throughout, I'd do 20 strokes and check.

I swapped tape (3 layers, same as how was pro honed when I got it), and gave my Norton 8k. I did about 80 strokes focusing on the toe, 30 on the heel. I did another 20 rolling x strokes.

There was still a slight shiny area at heel and toe, but I decided (mistakenly?) to go back up to 12k, with new tape. I did about 40 on heel and 40 on toe, and 20 rolling x patterns. I then did 20x on cr-on, 50 webbing, and 100 leather stopping.

I checked, and there still was a small, 1/8" at toe, and maybe 1/4" at heel that was still a little shiny. I wasn't sure if the cr-ox would help, but it appears not to, at least noticeably.

So... I went back to the 12k and did 100x focused on toe, and another 100x focused on heel. Finished with 40 rolling x patterns. I checked and I don't see any shiny spot at toe, and very heel has maybe 1/8 that is a little shiny.

I decide to call it a day, did 20x cr-ox, 50 webbing, and 100 leather stropping. I did a shave with it today, and it was way better, no pulling and much less irritation (some may be from previous shaving).

I haven't yet been able to judge how low of a grit to go to reverse dullness (especially with this wedge, the Dovo seemed to go much faster). Should I have gone down to 4k?

Should I have, instead of the steps I did, do 20 (or less?) strokes at 12k, assess the edge, and if no improvement go to 8k and do the same, and finally do the same at 4k (as the worst case grit)?

I guess I'm realizing that, at whatever grit I end up with, I need to stay there, until the issue is resolved.

My thoughts on some of the honing, was to try to just work the areas of concern, and leave alone (for the most part) the middle, which seemed ok. Should I, instead have just done rolling x strokes? Different strokes?

Lastly, should I have done some progression, when going from the 8k to 12k, after clearing the issue?

I'm having a tough time recovering the edge on this blade and stropping it as well, likely a lack of skills and experience. I plan on continuing a bit more with it, and when it degrades again, retry honing, and then check the shave. If OK, Ill then rotate to the Spike I have, which only has a few shaves on it. I'll see how it is to maintain that blade.

Appreciate any suggestions!