Thread: Honing poor/hard steel and bad geometry???

Originally Posted by RezDog

One of the things that some people have done is to send it out to have someone else asses the razor and hone it. It is an option. Sometimes we struggle and struggle and in the end it is either beyond our skills or completely not our skills at all. Have you ever had a good shave with this razor? Did it come with a great edge?

It did not shave well when I got it very tuggy. I have had good shaves with it, but not as crisp as all my other Hart blades. I can get a very straight and chip free edge with this razor but there is just that white faint reflective line that exist after I strop it that will not come together. I have honed modern and vintage razors with out any problems except for this one bloody razor.

Bevel setting should never take "hours". A razor, as we all know, is a very thin piece of steel, and getting the two sides to join should only take a few minutes. If this is not happening, do not keep grinding away without figuring out why the bevel isn't setting. I would have an experienced guy set the bevel, and explain to you his method, and why you were having trouble.

Originally Posted by Wayne1963

Bevel setting should never take "hours". A razor, as we all know, is a very thin piece of steel, and getting the two sides to join should only take a few minutes. If this is not happening, do not keep grinding away without figuring out why the bevel isn't setting. I would have an experienced guy set the bevel, and explain to you his method, and why you were having trouble.

I don't mean hours in one sitting. I mean hours of different times trying to set the bevel. I have meet with Bejay here from SRP he has shown me how to properly set bevels, and I have been very successful at repeating his advice. This razor (which I have 8 of them from the same manufacturer) will not bevel set like the rest.

Originally Posted by dshaves

It did not shave well when I got it very tuggy. I have had good shaves with it, but not as crisp as all my other Hart blades. I can get a very straight and chip free edge with this razor but there is just that white faint reflective line that exist after I strop it that will not come together. I have honed modern and vintage razors with out any problems except for this one bloody razor.

If there is an experienced member near by, and it sounds like you have already met with Bejay before, then I think you should get together with him and this razor, or perhaps just give or send him this razor.

Originally Posted by RezDog

If there is an experienced member near by, and it sounds like you have already met with Bejay before, then I think you should get together with him and this razor, or perhaps just give or send him this razor.

I will probably get with him. What I cannot understand is how my other Harts with the same 1/4" grind and manufactured steel? have no problems setting bevels and shave wonderfully but this one won't.

It sounds mysterious. A meet should get you beyond this one way or the other. It may have nothing to do with your honing.

Originally Posted by dshaves

Old Hart steel razor.

Start with 2 layers of tape

The first production Harts were made at 12° - 13° angles

You might need a 3rd layer Micro bevel to get it to hold since you weakened the bevel by chasing it without tape...

hint***

Each layer of 700 3M tape will change the bevel angle about .65° (varies with razor size figured at 6/8) so 2 layers = 1.3° change

So if you started at 12.5 and add 2 layers you would be at 14° ish the Straight Razor formula targets 16° as the sought after angle

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Start with 2 layers of tape

The first production Harts were made at 12° - 13° angles

You might need a 3rd layer Micro bevel to get it to hold since you weakened the bevel by chasing it without tape...

hint***

Each layer of 700 3M tape will change the bevel angle about .65° (varies with razor size figured at 6/8) so 2 layers = 1.3° change

So if you started at 12.5 and add 2 layers you would be at 14° ish the Straight Razor formula targets 16° as the sought after angle

I will try that as it is worth a shot, I could only learn something. Should I start with the 1k Chosera or since I am so close should I just bevel set on the 4k SG?

Since you are going "UP" in angle that should pull it together for you

If it were me I would start at the 3-5 k level and sneak up on it

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Since you are going "UP" in angle that should pull it together for you

If it were me I would start at the 3-5 k level and sneak up on it

Okay I will just focus on X strokes to keep the pace even! Maybe I will try video tape and post it.