Thread: Update on Complete Re-Hone (With new questions!)

Hi guys!

thanks for the input on my last post regarding re-honing an old razor. Just thought I'd update those that are interested as well as get a little expertise on moving forward.

So I started with a vintage Carrara blade that had an essentially straight spine but a slightly smiling edge. Being the 'day 1 expert' I can be sometimes, I decided to take my roughest hone to the blade to get the edge dead straight. Spent some time on the 800 hone to get my bevel pretty much where I thought I wanted it then an hour or 2 on the 2000 hone to get things nice and smooth. Decided to see where i was at so I played around with shaving hairs and noticed the 2 ends were far FAR sharper than the guts of the blade. Literally left tire tracks down my leg as you can see in the photo.



ANYWAY... I'm ready to learn my lesson SO...

1) Will I be able to achieve a straight blade that is shaving sharp if I keep honing OR
2) Do I have to hone until I get that smile back?

Really not concerned either way, if the blade wants to smile then let it be so. Just would like some input on whether I should just jump back on the 800 and get it done, or keep working at the 2000 in the hope I get a decent edge eventually? Also what guidelines do you guys use for knowing when to finish honing/stropping at 1 level then move to the next?

Anyway I hope this can be a valuable discussion for myself and others who may be new to honing/restoration, thanks in advance!

Matt