Honing 4/8 blades.

[gcbryan]

For some reason I can never get 4/8 blades as sharp as my other straights.

When I'm finished with the others I can run the blade down the hair on my leg and it just pops off. When I do it with any of my 4/8's (and I'm the only one who has honed them) it doesn't do that.

Most of them are Spike from Oneida Cutlery from Ebay. I had some other brands though and I have the same problem.

I spent a lot of time the other night honing one just to see if I could get it sharp. Nope.

Any idea why I only have a problem with this sized blade?

[RezDog]

In general the blade width should not make a difference. Blade geometry makes a big difference and so does the blade material. The only Oneida Cutlery that I know of is the current company selling flatware. So what brand is your razor? Could it be that you are just playing with a sub par razor? I have to think that the issue could not simply be the width of the razor. Another factor has to play into it.

[gcbryan]

It's a vintage razor but they used to make a razor labeled "Spike". You see a lot of them on ebay.

I also have a Wade and Butcher of that size and I have the same problem with it.

[sqzbxr]

Are you honing with tape on the spine? The narrower the blade, the more the tape increases the bevel angle.

[Steel]

I have honed a lot of Spike razors. They are excellent USA steel and hone up amazingly sharp. They are also wedges or near wedges so my guess is your bevel is not set. They can take a while to get a good bevel set.

[Euclid440]

Most EBay beaters, take a bit more time to set a bevel. What stones are you using and what was the condition of the razor.

Some photos would help.

Are you using magnification and ink, to ensure you are honing to the edge?

[AcesandEights]

Are you honing with tape on the spine? The narrower the blade, the more the tape increases the bevel angle.

So, tape or no? I understand this is an age old question. But, is there a point where taping increases the angle too much...making it closer to a knife vs a razors edge?

I recently acquired a 7/16" Pipe razor and was wondering If taping to set the bevel was going to make it too steep.

[Euclid440]

You would have to add a lot of tape, to get the angle where it would not shave, on a new, wear-less spine. More vintage razors have angle issues, were the spines are excessively ground, tape is how, that is corrected.

Chances are a layer or two, of tape will just get the angle close, to where it was originally.

Tape is highly recommended for new honers, to preserve the spine while learning to hone, who typically use too much pressure, and do too many laps on low grit stones.

The whole, spine/blade width wear, bevel angle “theory” has been debunked.

[MODINE]

One reason a 4/8 is harder to hone is because it is easier to make a slip and ruin the edge. The blade has to lay flat on the hone. The 6/8 and 7/8 wide blades gained in popularity. They are easier to keep flat. A 4/8 blade can also tend to bite you quicker. If you don't have your shave angles correct, they will give you a good reminder. Hope this makes sense.

Most people will have a dominate and a weak pass. Practice will help with pressure consistency while making your hone stroke, pass.
MIke

[AcesandEights]

You would have to add a lot of tape, to get the angle where it would not shave, on a new, wear-less spine. More vintage razors have angle issues, were the spines are excessively ground, tape is how, that is corrected.

Chances are a layer or two, of tape will just get the angle close, to where it was originally.

Tape is highly recommended for new honers, to preserve the spine while learning to hone, who typically use too much pressure, and do too many laps on low grit stones.

The whole, spine/blade width wear, bevel angle “theory” has been debunked.

OK...Thank you!

I watched gssixgun, as well as a few others, video on youtube, when I 1st started (re)honing my SR's. Granted, I've only been doing this for a few months. But, after acquiring a 7 day set, one learns pretty quickly...or at least it worked for me. As a 'test' of my honing skills, or lack thereof, I sent a few razors to a few different members, as well as to brick and mortar shops, to have them make my razors 'shave ready.' Then I compared my honed razors, as far as shave quality. Much to my delight, I could only tell a very slight bit of difference, if any, from thiers and mine. So, in my minds eye, I'm doing it right.

As Modine mentioned, I 'assumed' the smaller blade would be more prone to 'user error' in terms of honing (and use).

This thread has inspired my to soak and lap my stones and tackle my 7/16" Pipe razor. Tomorrow will be the 'test.'