Thread: First attempt at vintage straight razor honing

My first attempt at restoring and honing a vintage W&B 5/8 wedge. Such a pain to set the bevel. Had to swoop down to a 220, followed by 1200,finished with a C12k. Shave test this evening.

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Yeah, getting the bevel cut is always the hardest part. Very tempting to drop down to a lower grit hone, but I usually stick it out on the 1K until it's completely set. I'll probably be changing that when I go to hone my wedge, that's going to need a solid chunk of steel removed.

Originally Posted by Marshal

Yeah, getting the bevel cut is always the hardest part. Very tempting to drop down to a lower grit hone, but I usually stick it out on the 1K until it's completely set. I'll probably be changing that when I go to hone my wedge, that's going to need a solid chunk of steel removed.

I had a few attempts at 1k to set the bevel. Finished on the C12k, stropped with paste, then tried the shave test.. Feels sharp enough, but then,, nothing.. Feels like trying to shave with a spoon.. Attempted a few more times with longer time on the 1k, same disappointing results. Out of desperation, whipped out the old dual grit carboundum. Worked on the finer 400 grits.. Managed to set the bevel finally. Continued with the 1k, 12k, stropping. Managed to get a comfortable shave with her. Smooth, but needs some getting used to since there's no audible feedback..

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So, Gary are you going from 1k to 12k?

What are the brands of the stones you are using and what kind and power of magnification are you using to see the bevel and edge?

You almost never will need to drop below a good 1k stone to set a bevel. Going lower just causes you much more work removing the chipping, especially with 220 grit. You most probably have a very chippy and harsh shaving edge.

You really should read the first 3 posts in the honing forum for a good primer in honing a razor.

Enlarging your photo, I see an excessively worn spine and a very wide and uneven bevel.

Most probably caused from way too low a grit stone and excessive pressure.

It most probably can be made to shave, but will always have the spine wear and very wide bevel.

In your first post, you referenced a 1200 and in a later post a 1k. Do you have both or was the 1200 a typo? If you do have a 1200 then I wonder if it is a diamond plate or a synthetic hone.

In other words, could you please be a little more specific about your available hones?

Until you get more honing experience, I strongly suggest that you make use of electrical tape for taping the spine while honing. This will prevent you from doing at least one form of permanent damage to your razors.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

So, Gary are you going from 1k to 12k?

What are the brands of the stones you are using and what kind and power of magnification are you using to see the bevel and edge?

You almost never will need to drop below a good 1k stone to set a bevel. Going lower just causes you much more work removing the chipping, especially with 220 grit. You most probably have a very chippy and harsh shaving edge.

You really should read the first 3 posts in the honing forum for a good primer in honing a razor.

Earlier typo 1200 to 12k.I am still waiting for my 30x loupe to arrive. So basically, honing blind. I have probably messed up the spine and the bevel. The 1200 stone is a local synthetic brand made in Malaysia,. Usable, but not that great

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Originally Posted by Euclid440

Enlarging your photo, I see an excessively worn spine and a very wide and uneven bevel.

Most probably caused from way too low a grit stone and excessive pressure.

It most probably can be made to shave, but will always have the spine wear and very wide bevel.

Yeah, I believe I have really messed it up..

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Originally Posted by Utopian

In your first post, you referenced a 1200 and in a later post a 1k. Do you have both or was the 1200 a typo? If you do have a 1200 then I wonder if it is a diamond plate or a synthetic hone.

In other words, could you please be a little more specific about your available hones?

Until you get more honing experience, I strongly suggest that you make use of electrical tape for taping the spine while honing. This will prevent you from doing at least one form of permanent damage to your razors.

My apologies, it's a typo. It's a 1200 stone

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Originally Posted by Utopian

In your first post, you referenced a 1200 and in a later post a 1k. Do you have both or was the 1200 a typo? If you do have a 1200 then I wonder if it is a diamond plate or a synthetic hone.

In other words, could you please be a little more specific about your available hones?

Until you get more honing experience, I strongly suggest that you make use of electrical tape for taping the spine while honing. This will prevent you from doing at least one form of permanent damage to your razors.

I did use electrical tape on the spine initially, but somehow during the honing, it displaced/came off. Is this indication I am using excessive pressure?

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