Thread: Second try - Gold Dollar 208

Hi, I Decided to take another shot at the Gold Dollar 208 I had a topic about (Second Honing Ever - Gold Dollar 208). I would like to share my results right after 12k + 30 leather. My bad I forgot to take a picture before the strop... Oh well.

Norton 1k/4k/8k -> Naniwa 12k -> leather strop.

This time I included X strokes but found that they seem to omit the heel. Had to also put a tiny bit more pressure on the toe. In result the toe is slightly thinner bevel and the beginning of the heel has more scratches from the previous hones. But just a little bit that I'm not worried about as its a GD.

Here go the photos of the somewhat middle edge from both sides.

I'd appreciate your input.



I would like to add that after the 8k I cleaned the blade and did a dry test on the cheek by the ear. WTG pretty damn good. I even did ATG dry to see what's going on. BBS spot Not bad. Decided it's good enough for 8k and went to the naniwa 12k.

It passes the HHT with flying colors. Can cut off 1mm pieces at the end of the hair on touch.

Looking forward to what you guys think.

Thanks,
Tom

Strop that puppy and see what your face thinks about it.

Outstanding, the edge looks like a winner, but, the proof you seek is in the shave, it doesn't matter what we think. I bet it shaves smooth.

Originally Posted by FAL

Outstanding, the edge looks like a winner, but, the proof you seek is in the shave, it doesn't matter what we think. I bet it shaves smooth.

Originally Posted by Marshal

Strop that puppy and see what your face thinks about it.

Gave this puppy a shave. DFS if not close to BBS. I'm actually surprised how good of a shave I got off this Gold Dollar 208. Stunning. Equal to or beat the rest of my collection. I guess as I improved my honing to another level I need to give them a shot and rehone them to my liking. To think of it... I'm even more excited about getting a jnat if a naniwa 12k can do this good

Thank You everybody for the tips on honing I wouldn't have gotten anywhere without you!

Tom

X strokes will "omit the heel" only if you immediately remove the heel from the hone, so don't do that. Hone the blade at a 45 degree angle for part of the stroke and then commence the x stroke. You also can do some strokes all the way down the hone while holding the blade at the 45 degree angle. If needed, you can focus pressure on the heel during both types of strokes.

Regarding the photos, you are almost, but not quite, there. Ideally the appearance of the bevel should continue until it disappears at the edge. Most of your edge photos show altered reflection of light at the edge, suggesting that you can see around the edge. A proper edge should show no such reflection. Try maybe 10 more strokes on the 12k, strop, and observe again. Approximately how many strokes did you do on the 8 and 12k hones?

Originally Posted by Utopian

X strokes will "omit the heel" only if you immediately remove the heel from the hone, so don't do that. Hone the blade at a 45 degree angle for part of the stroke and then commence the x stroke. You also can do some strokes all the way down the hone while holding the blade at the 45 degree angle. If needed, you can focus pressure on the heel during both types of strokes.

Regarding the photos, you are almost, but not quite, there. Ideally the appearance of the bevel should continue until it disappears at the edge. Most of your edge photos show altered reflection of light at the edge, suggesting that you can see around the edge. A proper edge should show no such reflection. Try maybe 10 more strokes on the 12k, strop, and observe again. Approximately how many strokes did you do on the 8 and 12k hones?

Thanks for the tip. Regarding the shiny ending... I had the same on the first try that was pointed out to me. I agree that the bevel was almost set. I did it from scratch again this time. Spent A LOT of time on the 1k and then 4k. Inspected the edge as I went with a 25x watchmakers loupe and the usb microscope connected live. When I saw the edge was good (in my opinion) and the edge cut hair skin level easily I moved on. I recently watched a YouTube video titled setting a bevel 101 or something of that sort. Learned that I used too much pressure the first try and the blade was warping from it. This time I used much less so the whole edge would touch. If it might be from that then I don't understand how because I straightened out some microchipping when I got to the 8k. Stayed on it until the edge looked pretty good and shaved pretty good and went onto the 12k. I don't exactly know how many strokes I did on each. Quite many I guess. I don't count just feel it out and observe under the scope.

Could the shiny tip of the edge be caused by stropping? These are photos after the stropping as I forgot to take some before.

Could be from stropping, if you rolled the edge. I recently had to adjust my stropping technique to prevent the same. Less pressure, slower more attentive passes.

I used a paddle strop and I'm pretty comfortable and confident in using it now so it's hard for me to believe I could have rolled it. Who knows... I'll follow Utopian's advice and hit the naniwa 12k for 10 strokes tomorrow and post a pic. If it stays like that then we'll think of something else. The amount of time I spent on the 1k and 4k I believe the bevel is solid even if it's a gold dollar.

To be clear, I am not certain that the 12k work will be sufficient, but I think it should be the first start.

The bevel and edge can be improved. Removing all the deep stria with an 8 or 12k and jointing the edge straight and re setting on the 12k will get rid of all the micro-chipping on the edge and give a much smoother shave.

If you look at the deep stria in all the photos, you can see where they all terminate at the edge in a small micro-chip. Photo 4, really show the stria and chips best. Even after moving to the 12k and honing them out, the steel will be weakened at those points, and may fail after a few shaves and stropping, especially on hard razors like the GDs.

Also stropping on some razor quality Chromium Oxide, will vastly improve the edge and comfort of the shave.

It may shave well as is, but you are close to a very good, comfortable edge with just a little more work, it is a much better edge than before.