Thread: How to correct/re-profile a heel

Recently in a couple posts, there have been some questions on correcting/re-profiling a heel.

Photo 1 show the heel in question notice, where the corner of the edge ends, well past the beginning of the stabilizer.



Photo 2 show the corner and the excessive wear on the spine, over the heel, were previous honers have used excessive pressure, in an attempt to get the heel edge, flat on the stone.

Also notice what it did to the bevel and edge.




Photo 3 shows the opposite side, the hone-ware is highlighted on the spine, stabilizer and edge. In this case, I re-profiled the whole edge and made a cardboard template of the razor, but you can see how sharp the corner of the heel as become on the template.



Photo 4 I am using a large washer to profile the radius. Notice how far forward this radius, will move the corner of the edge. Mark with a sharpie, I marked one side in black and the other in red. If you want to make a change, WD40 will remove the sharpie. Really you only need to mark one side, the one that will face you when it is on the stone.



Photo 5 shows the face side marked in black, this give you a very good idea what the finished razor will look like. Notice where the bulk of the material will be removed. The metal is thin here and will go quickly, with a diamond plate, so go slow and do not use a lot of pressure.



Photo 6 shows removal of the bulk of material in just a few laps, back and forth, maintaining the same angle.

I removed the bulk on the corner then another facet above the first facet and another below, stop when close to the line.



Photo 7 shows what the edge looks like after a few laps.



Photo 8 from the other side, the red vertical tick mark is about, where I want the new corner to end, go slow and work up to the line. Still needs a bit more.



Photo 9 shows the beginning of blending the facets. Start with the razor almost 90 degrees to the edge and as the razor moves down the stone, roll the angle to almost even with the edge.