Honed My Nemesis, Finally

After several attempts and a LOT of learning I finally got this thing honed and shave ready since I dinged it many months ago. The razor is a heavily worn unevenly, had a couple of dings I put in it when I first bought it (it was my first razor), and generally speaking is not in the best shape (it was a Whipped Dog non-flawed sight unseen). I have asked for help on this one before, but just had not acquired the skill or the feel necessary to make this thing work on the hones. It took a little over 2 hours end-to-end to get this thing squared away. 3 layers of tape to set the bevel using a brief series on the 220 grit. Tape changed, 3 layers and a long series on the 1k (probably 300 strokes, give or take) in mostly rolling x strokes and very light x strokes to finish the bevel set. The heel was by far the hardest part as it is unevenly worn and does not want to touch the stones. Then 4k/8k/ added 4th layer of tape,12k polish, pasted balsa, webbing, leather. Shave to follow but this thing pops hairs like it's nobody's business. Here she is!
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Even thought it took long time to get it to shave, you gained valuable experience with this problem razor. Congratulations.

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Originally Posted by mainaman

Even thought it took long time to get it to shave, you gained valuable experience with this problem razor. Congratulations.

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It was tedious for sure, but I really got a good feel for it. I probably could have knocked this out with a bit more pressure and less strokes on the 1k, but I saw what I was doing was working and just stuck to it. Once I was off of the 1k it came together very quickly. The only thing I don't really like is the stropping. The spine wear seems to be increasing the drag as it sits flat on the strop and adds significant resistance (I got all of the tape glue and marker residue off with acetone prior to stropping).

Note to self..mute the point next time. That thing bit me 4 times and I barely felt so much as a scratch. Otherwise, it shaves fantastically less a need to tighten the pins a touch as the scales are a bit loose.

Sounds like you met the challenge with success. Feels good doesn't it ? You might try and polish the spine a little and see if that doesn't help with the drag. Kind of round off the edges some so it doesn't dig in.

well done! i have a few troublesome razors at the moment, sounds like i have a lot more effort to put into them (just need the time!)

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Originally Posted by dooey

well done! i have a few troublesome razors at the moment, sounds like i have a lot more effort to put into them (just need the time!)

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This one had to be bread-knifed in order to get the chips out, so I was starting with no tangible bevel in the least....hopefully none of yours are in that same condition so they shouldn't take as long.