Page 1 of 4 1234 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 36
Like Tree33Likes

Thread: Losing my smile

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Georgia, USA
    Posts
    83
    Thanked: 4

    Default Losing my smile

    I bought a 5/8 Wade & Butcher that looks as if it has never been honed. I started on the 1k stone, and I'm not getting any contact on the edge for the first 3/4 inch from the toe. The razor has a slight smile but as I hone it is flattening. I will have to keep at it until I get a sharp edge all the way, otherwise it won't be a shaver. Anyone else have this happen?

  2. #2
    KN4HJP sqzbxr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Chesapeake, Virginia
    Posts
    932
    Thanked: 261

    Default

    Question: do you not know how to hone a smiling edge, or is it your intention to straighten it?

  3. #3
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Georgia, USA
    Posts
    83
    Thanked: 4

    Default

    Apparently I don't know how, if you could please educate me. I did try altering pressure from heel to toe, but no noticeable results. I don't want to use much more pressure, since that does not produce a good edge.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Blistersteel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Galena Missouri
    Posts
    318
    Thanked: 39

    Default

    Pictures are a help.if you can take a few of each side and also from the top of the razor ( spine side) it will help us help you. [emoji4]

  5. #5
    KN4HJP sqzbxr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Chesapeake, Virginia
    Posts
    932
    Thanked: 261

    Default

    OK, first off, you don't need any extra pressure, but you do have to ensure that the edge contacts the hone from heel to toe. If this cannot be done with an exaggerated heel-forward stroke, then you must use a rolling stroke. Here are some good places to start:

    https://youtu.be/wEtb9k3APYM

    https://youtu.be/DStkiyHB9PU

    https://youtu.be/x2dqBluDteQ

  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Georgia, USA
    Posts
    83
    Thanked: 4

    Default

    I'll have to wait until I get home from work for pictures. I checked for warp, none present as compared to straight edge. The razor had zero noticeable bevel when I got it, no hone wear on the spine. Now there is slight wear in the middle of each side, spine and edge.
    Blistersteel likes this.

  7. #7
    KN4HJP sqzbxr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Chesapeake, Virginia
    Posts
    932
    Thanked: 261

    Default

    A couple of pages on honing wedges and different strokes:

    http://coticule.be/wedges.html

    http://coticule.be/strokes.html

  8. The Following User Says Thank You to sqzbxr For This Useful Post:

    benjamin2515101 (01-22-2016)

  9. #8
    Senior Member karlej's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Standish, Maine
    Posts
    816
    Thanked: 952

    Default

    Don't hone out the smile in your near wedge. It is one of the secrets to a very comfortable shave. A smiling near wedge is my favorite grind. It also sounds like you are not taping your spine if you now have wear on the spine. I recommend you use tape. If you are just trying to learn to hone a blade like you have described you'll put a lot of unneeded wear on the spine and probably end with a wide bevel. If the blade is as nice as you have described maybe you should consider sending out and practice on something not so nice. If not the best advise has already been given. Watch GSSIXGUN's 3 videos. They are the best I have viewed on the subject. Tons of info in them. Watch them more than once.
    Good luck,
    Karl
    BobH and Phrank like this.

  10. #9
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Georgia, USA
    Posts
    83
    Thanked: 4

    Default

    How much electrical tape was there in the 19th century? I'm sorry I just don't believe tape is traditional. Also, it was not an expensive razor and not one that I mind learning on. I stopped when I noticed what was happening, so I could learn the right way.
    Last edited by benjamin2515101; 01-22-2016 at 03:13 PM.

  11. #10
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    17,250
    Thanked: 3221

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by benjamin2515101 View Post
    How much electrical tape was there in the 19th century? I'm sorry I just don't believe tape is traditional. Also, it was not an expensive razor and not one that I mind learning on. I stopped when I noticed what was happening, so I could learn the right way.
    Honing out a smile is not traditional either. If the razor's spine has a slight curve/smile to it the edge of the blade should follow it regardless of using or not using tape. Tape is used to prevent needless wear on an old razor.

    Bob
    Mcbladescar, Phrank and sqzbxr like this.
    Life is a terminal illness in the end

Page 1 of 4 1234 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •