Koraat 8/8 bevel setting? What to expect

Hello again gentleman. I have STOPPED my attempt at setting the bevel on my Koraat 8/8 razor and am now asking questions before I ruin the blade somehow.

I have been very successful with my PRC and Hart razors BTW.

Goal: Re setting a bevel on my Koraat 8/8 near wedge. At the moment the bevel is not coming together completely.

Initial Problem: The razor tugs and with my Iphone 7 plus led flashlight I am able to see a metallic reflection of steel the whole length of the blade heal to toe looking directly down on the edge.

The question: I believe I might be underestimating the time it takes to set a bevel on a Koraat near wedge in comparison to my Hart or PRC 1/4 hollow razors? I am also looking for the general EXPECTATIONS in relation to PRESSURE and TIME setting a bevel from those with experience with Koraat razors silver steel 61HRC and others with experience with near wedges in general?

What I have been doing with Koraat currently: Chosera 1k, 2 pieces of thick tape, circles and rolling heal leading X strokes. I have been getting a very even bevel no construction issues at all, however I am unable to get the bevel to come all the way together. I am using two pieces of thick tape to match the original tape used at the factory when the bevel was first set.

Thanks

It REALLY should not be taking very long at all, the bevel should have been set or nearly set from the maker..

Something sounds "Off"

From what you wrote I don't see what it could be, try the Marker test and see what results you are getting for contact, this is the goto test for bevel setting issues..
It tells you what your technique is doing


This brings questions

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dshaves

I am using two pieces of thick tape to match the original tape used at the factory when the bevel was first set.

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Can you explain that a bit more

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

It REALLY should not be taking very long at all, the bevel should have been set or nearly set from the maker..

Something sounds "Off"

From what you wrote I don't see what it could be, try the Marker test and see what results you are getting for contact, this is the goto test for bevel setting issues..
It tells you what your technique is doing

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I did try the marker test I forgot to write that I did. Yeah I have three Koraat razors and they all tugged, and all have light reflecting looking down on the edge. I am not troubled about this issue I don't mind re honing them I just want to learn what to expect. Glad you commented on the time issue. What if they weren't completely set at the factory the time should still not be too much right?

Koraat Razors are known to be really well finished from the factory. I have 3 myself and they are perfect and shave like a dream. I have never read about anyone having issues.

You are the first and all three? Something strange there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Koraat Razors are known to be really well finished from the factory. I have 3 myself and they are perfect and shave like a dream. I have never read about anyone having issues.

You are the first and all three? Something strange there.

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I am not bothered by this I think these Koraat razors are my favorite razors I own, I know they will shave wonderfully. When I ordered the tree I have it was during a backed up batch. They are very keen just not smooth.

Btw I have 4 on the way :)

If you were able to set the bevels on Harts and PRCs, it's hard to imagine what the problem would be with the Koraat. Did you use tape on the Hart/PRC razors?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

It REALLY should not be taking very long at all, the bevel should have been set or nearly set from the maker..

Something sounds "Off"

From what you wrote I don't see what it could be, try the Marker test and see what results you are getting for contact, this is the goto test for bevel setting issues..
It tells you what your technique is doing


This brings questions




Can you explain that a bit more

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He uses a thick piece of cloth tape like duct tape. I got sample of it and it is thick.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kelbro

If you were able to set the bevels on Harts and PRCs, it's hard to imagine what the problem would be with the Koraat. Did you use tape on the Hart/PRC razors?

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Yes I did use tape.

I am really curious now. You ordered 3 razors and they all tugged right out of the box? Or did you use them for a while and they started tugging. Because if I spent that kind of money and all three were not shaving they would be in the post on its way to the returns depth. If it just needed more "smooth " why reset the bevel and not just touch it up on a finisher?

I would also be using another test (for conformation) in addition to the reflection down the edge test. I'm not particularly good with that test and I've noticed that some others tend to see light due to looking on one side more than the other.

If something seems wrong I would at least make sure that the sole reason for thinking the bevel isn't set isn't just that test.

This is in addition to the whole question of why the bevel wasn't set at the factory.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Magpie

I am really curious now. You ordered 3 razors and they all tugged right out of the box? Or did you use them for a while and they started tugging. Because if I spent that kind of money and all three were not shaving they would be in the post on its way to the returns depth. If it just needed more "smooth " why reset the bevel and not just touch it up on a finisher?

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If the bevel is not set can you make up the smooth in a razor with finishing stones?

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Originally Posted by gcbryan

I would also be using another test (for conformation) in addition to the reflection down the edge test. I'm not particularly good with that test and I've noticed that some others tend to see light due to looking on one side more than the other.

If something seems wrong I would at least make sure that the sole reason for thinking the bevel isn't set isn't just that test.

This is in addition to the whole question of why the bevel wasn't set at the factory.

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All of my other razor that shave wonderfully don't have the light reflecting?

As I said, if the bevel was NOT set, on all Three razors, they would be returned to the maker right away.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dshaves

They are very keen just not smooth.

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Hi,

I have just found this thread and I will gladly help you with your sharpening issues. Maybe you can contact me per email?

Anyway, if the razors are very keen as you write (and they should be sharp since I make the HHT test on several parts of the edge on each razor before we ship it) I don´t realy understand how the bevel is not coming together? Nomaly if the razor is sharp the bevel must be together even before you start with reseting it?
Can it be a bur which has formed when you used the 1K Chosera?

I think this is something we can solve very fast! If you can´t get the results you expect you can ship them back to us anytime and we rehone them for you!

best regards,
Ulrik

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ulrik

Hi,

I have just found this thread and I will gladly help you with your sharpening issues. Maybe you can contact me per email?

Anyway, if the razors are very keen as you write (and they should be sharp since I make the HHT test on several parts of the edge on each razor before we ship it) I don´t realy understand how the bevel is not coming together? Nomaly if the razor is sharp the bevel must be together even before you start with reseting it?
Can it be a bur which has formed when you used the 1K Chosera?

I think this is something we can solve very fast! If you can´t get the results you expect you can ship them back to us anytime and we rehone them for you!

best regards,
Ulrik

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You are awesome Ulrik. I was posting this thread to get others knowledge and experience in honing your razors to learn how to hone a near wedge, NOT question your razors shave readiness! Hope I did not offend this was not my intention at all. I will email you learn what to look out for in how to hone your amazing razors.

I don´t feel offended at all. But it is crucial for me to get you a perfectly shave ready razors ;-)
Thats´s what all customers should expect from a new razor. So if there is any issue we will take care of it.
And if it´s just a problem with your technique, I will try my best to help you to find the bug.

Best regards,
Ulrik

I am hoping that this is an incredibly stupid question...

By any chance are you a proponent of "killing the edge" before starting a bevel set?

Dshaves. I've only honed one Koraat and the bevel set went pretty quick due to the quality of the grind. Send me a text if you want to get together to get them figured out. We should be able to get all three bevels set(if not fully honed) in one session.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Utopian

I am hoping that this is an incredibly stupid question...

By any chance are you a proponent of "killing the edge" before starting a bevel set?

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I did tonight lol! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BeJay

Dshaves. I've only honed one Koraat and the bevel set went pretty quick due to the quality of the grind. Send me a text if you want to get together to get them figured out. We should be able to get all three bevels set(if not fully honed) in one session.

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Thank you BeJay I will text you soon!

To follow up with this post I went back to the stones to do another set with suggestions from Ulrik.

Explanation: Koraat 8/8 razors have a very thick spine (sorry I didn't measure it). This for me was where I made my misunderstanding of how to use this particular blade. The bevel degree is more steep (like 10 to 15 degrees) than I am used to so when I tried to shave with this blade the angle I started out with was at 30 degrees but with this razor it was actually more like 60 degrees, so the sensation was more like scraping the blade down my face which is what caused the tugging pain I described. At 10 to 15 degrees for me is the sweet spot I mean WOW.

I have Loved the three times I have shaved since re honing this blade, I was completely wrong in my operation of these wonderful razors. I never felt Ulrik had sent me sub quality razors in fact these razor are the most well crafted blades I have period!

Thank you everyone, and I hope I have not deterred someone from purchasing a Koraat razor from Ulrik for that would be a shame and I apologize and hope they would re read this last post or contact me so I can clear things up!

Well done with your clarification. Mistakes happen. You made it right.