Thread: How I hone razors

Originally Posted by Phrank

When setting the bevel, how much pressure to you use?

And if you encounter any geometry problems, how do you address them to ensure an even bevel?

not much pressure at all. If the slurry is thick, I just use enough pressure to maintain a firm contact between the razor and the stone. As for geometry problems: I only hone razors that I created myself. Should I discover a geometry issue, I go back to grinding.

However, These days that doesn't happen anymore. With heavy wedges I may establish a bevel before I start the final polishing, just to make sure I don't need to go back to the grinder after after spending the time to polish and make scales.

Usually however, I verify the geometry during grinding by putting the razor on a flat steel plate. I check that on both sides the spine and edge make good contact as if I was doing a rolling X. All the while I grind it thinner and thinner, checking the grind and correcting things as I go along. And for most razors, I finish the entire thing before it touches a hone for the first time. It's just too much waste of time imo.