Thread: Should I try to tackle this (very difficult, IMHO) challenge?

Sticking on 4K, and 4 layers, I did straight strokes. Before starting, I ran the curve of the heel along the edge of the hone to try to round that corner a tiny bit. I did strokes (one on each side) in the four sections (heel, center 2/3, near toe, toe). I did lighter and lighter strokes, and did some rolling strokes on the heel and toe, to try to blend the curve.

Here's how it looks (heel, middle, and toe on each side, and edge, and lower magnification):



Note: You can see that the honing is reaching farther up on the bevel on one side than the other - again, it seems to be the centering of the 4 layers of tape, which I'm having a hard time keeping even.

Something to consider...It may not be the tape job. The grind on the blade may be thicker on one side than the other. In other words not as deep of a hollow. Looking at the first pic in your thread I can see it is not even on both sides at all. The tall sections are where it is widest. I think you may be wrestling with the toe and heel so much because of the hone angle. On the toe your stria is the same angle as the middle. Try leading with the toe more. Drastically even. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Lifting is not always the best gymnastic move to straighten out ends. Glad to see you haven't given up. I still think your going to get this :<0)

Thank you, that toe and heel have been driving me crazy since you started.

The heel looks like it could use a little more work, at the middle of the curve where the steel looks a bit different color, in photo 6. I would remove a bit more and make a shallower radius removing questionable steel and then you could shave with the curve of the heel. My line is a little shaky, but you get the idea.

I generally re profile the edge at the beginning with a diamond file or plate, then adjust the shape, as defects are revealed. Change of color and crumbly edges are indicators of problem steel. You don’t have to remove too much, so profile slowly, you can always take off more. Once the bevels are flat you can bring the edge back in just a few laps.

It looks tons better, with a nice even stria pattern all the way to the edge.

I would not worry about the width of the bevels, especially with that much tape and all the issues that razor has. The edge on, photos look better as well. The side, edge photos also show a nice straight edge for a 4k, it will get even straighter with the 8k.

You are making good progress, amazing really, from when you started, it should shave well, when you are done.

Thanks. I'll keep working the heel. I'm just concerned that the edge just doesn't (subjectively) feel sharp, to the thumb and arm hair.

Hi
I think the toe and heel should be a little dull, 1/8".
I find the dull ends don't cut your skin as readily working around the ears and folds in the skin..

I din't have a lot of time today, but I decided to start some work on the heel. I used the DMT and rounded the heel more. Then, I jointed the edge and use 4 layers of tape on the 4K Norton. I still have to do more on the heel, and it doesn't quite seem like the edge is meeting yet. I'll try to work on it more on Thursday or Friday night. Here's where it is right now...

As mentiioned before, I'm concerned about how sharp the blade feels. Will it improve at 8K, 12K,...?

Some, but how it feels is subjective. I am more concerned with how it holds up, polishing on the 8k will reveal any defects in the bevel and edge.

You may have to go back to the 4k to clean it up, but you will then, have a very good idea of where you problem areas are.

As said earlier this is a problematic razor of questionable steel and not your garden variety honing, but there is a lot to learn about honing and technique. So even if in the end, the edge is not a perfect shaving edge, you will come away with a bucket full of knowledge and skills.

Moved up to 8K Norton with 4 layers, doing straight strokes initially, focused on toe, mid, heel, and then finished with some rolling strokes to try to blend the curve at the toe and heel. Took shots at low magnification of edge and each side. The new bevel looks pretty even and it seems like it's cutting some arm hairs...



Thoughts? Suggestions?

Go to 12K SS?

Looks good, yea go to the 12k.

Nice straight edge.