Thread: Honing a bevel on a smile?

I would like advice on honing a razor. I don't have pictures, so I will have to describe it. The razor is a 5/8 full hollow. The razor has a wider bevel in the middle on each side like an s warp. The spine has a smile and the edge as well. The edge is close to being done in the middle with more work on the 1/3 near the toe and heel. Would I just use swooping strokes to finish the bevel or is that enough? The reason I am asking is I don't want to hone the smile out on the edge.

Thanks,

binder

Try adding a piece of tape to the middle of the spine and perform rolling x strokes...

Also ink the bevel to to see what's going on..

Good luck

Hard to say without pics. What do you mean, “The edge is close to being done in the middle with more work on the 1/3 near the toe and heel.”

Sounds like it needs some repair work, what is the condition of the spine wear?

You can hone the edge in 3 sections, toe, middle and heel, then use a rolling X stroke to blend the 3 sections into one bevel. Or just use a rolling X, but it sounds like, straight strokes have been used on it and honed the middle more than the toe and heel.

Some photos would really help to advise you better.

I used to just do the rolling x, then began using circles to set the bevel, once I got some practice at it. Doing it as Euclid said above, in sections. Gotta keep an eye on it though and try to stay consistent. The rolling x alone will take a bit longer, but is probably safer if you haven't done circles enough to be confident in your ability. Here are some extreme examples ;

I marked the bevel and the bevel looks like it is closer to meeting in the middle than on the ends. The spine looks good. A little wear on one side: the half towards the heel. I think I'll try the tape on the middle and then I can concentrate more on the ends.

I think you should watch Glens video set on honing a smiling wedge. The wedge part does not apply but the strokes will be the same.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEtb9k3APYM

There are three parts.

Originally Posted by binder

I would like advice on honing a razor. I don't have pictures, so I will have to describe it. The razor is a 5/8 full hollow. The razor has a wider bevel in the middle on each side like an s warp. The spine has a smile and the edge as well. The edge is close to being done in the middle with more work on the 1/3 near the toe and heel. Would I just use swooping strokes to finish the bevel or is that enough? The reason I am asking is I don't want to hone the smile out on the edge.

Thanks,

binder

Sounds to me like someone already honed some of the smile out. That's why the bevel is wider in the middle of the blade. The edge is no longer following the grind.

I worked on the razor for quite a while today. The profile looks better. I am using 2 layers of tape now without one in the middle; using the rolling x stroke. There is still some marker at the heel and toe. It takes a lot of time using light strokes. Using a 1K Norton

Yes, technically the spine is off the stone or part of the spine, depending on the amount of “rolling” needed,

But the spine and the edge directly across from each other, are always on the stone at the same time.

Ink will show you exactly how much English you need, then just keep repeating the action till the bevels meet and are even.

It sounds like the razor is in need, of repair, and without seeing the razor it is difficult to advise you what that is. If the bevels are not meeting you may need to use more pressure, but you may do more damage than you are repairing.

If you hone without tape on the spine, you will needlessly wear the spine and cause more problems, tape the spine, alter your technique.

What brand of razor is it? Post some pics so we can better advise you.

When you are working on a razor that does not have the bevel established, like ones that have had a lot of sanding and buffing or old antique store finds, it can take a while to get the bevel back. It is a different activity than regular honing. I do not usually get blades like that done all in one sitting.