Thread: Can't keep an edge

Originally Posted by Glock27

Thank you for the offer. I will certainly consider it. First I need to make the effort on my own. I really don't have a lot of time. Currently I have seven that are well sharpened. Some times I get lucky, especially if the razor I get is already in good condition, It is just the Joseph Allen I have and a couple of others like the Electric Co. The JA I recently bought, the Electric Co. I have had for years. I had given up on it and recently brought it out along with a few more I never did anything with. Note. The JA was not in the best of condition. Again, thanks for the offer. I will paste your note to keep on hand if I need to get in touch with you for the offer. Again thanks.

You seem to be having one hell of a time with that razor. You might want to lay the blade flat on your hone, and tap on the corners. That will tell you if the razor is laying flat on the hone like you need it to, or if there is some underlying geometry issue with the blade. If it stays flat, the geometry is ok. If it wobbles, it may need corrective action. You might also want to check for a frowning edge.

Originally Posted by Marshal

You seem to be having one hell of a time with that razor. You might want to lay the blade flat on your hone, and tap on the corners. That will tell you if the razor is laying flat on the hone like you need it to, or if there is some underlying geometry issue with the blade. If it stays flat, the geometry is ok. If it wobbles, it may need corrective action. You might also want to check for a frowning edge.

Geometry issues are certainly worth checking but not many razors lay flat on a hone nor do they need corrective action unless extremely warped or frowning.
Finding the stroke that works will solve most problems.

onimaru55.
You mention finding the right stroke will solve most problems. Forgive me of my ignorance, but I only know of one stroke. Starting with the toe end of the blade on the stone and moving it down ending with the heal. On the return it is heel to toe. I sharpen everything this way. When I hone the razor, I lay it completely flat on the stone.

Sounds to me like the way I used to sharpen knives. Try this, it may help you out:

https://youtu.be/

Marshal,
Thanks for the link. I would love to go there and watch, but I have DSL internet with a "Fair Usage" attached, ergo, watching youtube sucks up all my time. Just one 20 minutes of youtube brings an end to my internet use.
Thanks for all your effort. I appreciate what you have provided.

Glock27, do you have any friend or acquaintance that has better access to online videos? Watching a few honing videos, or getting help in person, would definitely improve your honing.

I can't second this enough, getting help locally you will learn more in a few hours one on one than you would in a month with youtube videos.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Glock27, do you have any friend or acquaintance that has better access to online videos? Watching a few honing videos, or getting help in person, would definitely improve your honing.

Utopian,
No I don't. I am pretty much locked into DSL. Right now I am down to 85% of internet time remaining from my provider via their
Fair Use" policy.
I have an electric hone I can set up to attempt to correct the problem then sharpen with my stones, but I am a bit anxious about using it. The device is a spinning water hone. Angles can be set up on it, but I am not really sure how I should set it up. Tape the spine and go at it or leave the spine open on the rotating hone. I goes at a low speed.
since I have considered just pitching the razor I just might give it a go. Not committed yet.
Thanks for your efforts. It is appreciated.

Marshal,
5mm from the toe of the blade it begins to widen to about 2mm. it then tapers down to a thin heel. This is all on the right side of the blade with the cutting edge facing you. It thickens from here and extends for about 35 to 36 mm in length. On the opposite side the toe and heel of the blade are thicker grinds about 2mm where the rest of the blade appears to be normal. Looking at the spine of the blade it mimics the cutting edge. The right side is a frown and the left side is a smile. Go figure. I am uncertain how much time I am going to spend on this loose and I would not want to lay this task to someone else unless they have the mechanized equipment to make quick work of the issue.