Thread: Heel chipping.

So I've been messing around with an old Sheffield on a coticule. I've been setting the bevel on a thicker slurry. Today after a failed shave test yesterday I looked with my loupe. What I saw was about 3/4" on the heel that had tiny what looked like chips in it and it was clearly lacking in both the shave test and arm hair test and thumb pad test.

Now I've got more then just the coticule I'm getting to know. Maybe I should drop down to 4k and see if I can fix this problem or 1k if needed. I put the razor aside for now.

Please don't ask for pictures I haven't got a way to take any meaningful ones.

I'm just a little confused as to what could have caused this, is my coticule that slurry dulling?

It could have been a prior issue but I didn't see it before today. I noticed also that the edge wasn't looking great at the very very edge, kind of ragged looking. I don't want to blame the coticule. I've just not seen this type of behaviour before from my honing.

Take a look and see if your razor opens and closes with out making contact with the scales. Maybe take a look between the scales for a rough spot that might touch the cutting edge of your blade. I have couple of razors that have to be closed carefully because the cutting edge can bump the razor scales.

You could be running into some 'bad steel' I ran into some on my great grandfather's W&B, I'd just go back and reset the bevel and check for the micro chips, if you can't see any, go to the 4k and when your done there, recheck. Do the same on the 8k and the Coti. Hopefully the reset bevel will get you past any problems.

On another thought, watch the pressure, keep it very light. I hope this has been of some help.

OH! I use slurry from start to finish with clear water after and that includes any finisher.

The only thought I have that has not already been expressed is:
Did you do any recovery work on the DMT reshaping the heel or starting the bevel. That can often lead to a chippy edge too.

Originally Posted by RezDog

The only thought I have that has not already been expressed is:
Did you do any recovery work on the DMT reshaping the heel or starting the bevel. That can often lead to a chippy edge too.

Yes I sent this particular razor out to be honed and the heel did receive DMT treatment, how do I get rid of it?

Originally Posted by RezDog

The only thought I have that has not already been expressed is:
Did you do any recovery work on the DMT reshaping the heel or starting the bevel. That can often lead to a chippy edge too.

Good thought! While a DMT regardless of grit does quick work it does tend to leave deep scratches and can lead to chipping.

Thanks for thinking of it!

Light pressure on the 1K and hone past it. Basically when you have a chippy part on a blade it is made worse with pressure and sometimes may be caused by pressure, or in your case may be caused by deep stria from the DMT. The solution is the same though.

Originally Posted by S0LITARYS0LDIER

Yes I sent this particular razor out to be honed and the heel did receive DMT treatment, how do I get rid of it?

If you aren't using a DMT 1k and just a regular hone, as I said; reset the bevel and go from there. You'll never know unless you give it a go.

As said, keep the pressure very light!

Keep us posted!

Thanks guys, I've never had a razor chip on me before like this.

I'll reset the bevel and post back

It felt like the chipping would not stop, finally and I mean finally, I got past the chips with light pressure on the 1k. Thanks again guys.