Thread: Bevel setting issue in the middle

Hi guys,

I'm trying to set a good bevel with a shapton gs 1K. (And am a beginner ...)

So I've got 3 learning blades. One, I was able to hone, set a good bevel, and got it shaving quite "OK".
The other I'm trying out now is something else, It's actually my first razor, a Dovo, which I got year ago, and did try some honing on with a Coticule in the past. It didn't shave well anymore so ended up in the closet ...
Meanwhile I picked up a shapton GS progression and wanted to bring it back.

So, after doing the circle method, followed by straight strokes and x strokes. Not quite counting but watching the water, first I notice that one side was undercutting, the other side not in the middle.
The after doing the TNT I got the confirmation that in the middle something was off.
After doing the sharpie test it is clear that one side of the blade, at that spot I felt with the TNT, is not touching the hone.

What I tried so far was putting 1 finger on that spot and guided the blade doing straight strokes.
Every 5 strokes it finished with x strokes (without finger) and looked and felt at the edge.

Nothing changes.... so here I am wondering

PS: I'm using 1 layer of tape

Sounds like you may have a slightly bent spine, a frequent occurrence. To rectify this, I would suggest using a rolling X-stroke rather than applying a finger of the off-hand in selected places (which may risk to compound the problem). By using a rolling X-stroke, one is applying pressure from the shank more on a point-by-point basis, from the heel to the middle to the toe by the end of the stroke. In any case, adding tape seems like a good course of action, as it will protect the spine from needless damage during experimentation and add a very mild flattening effect to the bent spine, if that indeed is the case here.

Have you tried inking the edge to show exactly what is touching the hone.
Also a shiny reflection off the edge means it is not touching.

If a little pressure is not helping then maybe try a rolling X stroke.
Rock the blade gently from heel to toe as you perform a stroke.


Stay away from circles when learning is also an idea..

Check the blade for a frown, that's what sounds like to me

I was given the advise to check for a frown on another forum as well.
So I put my edge on my shapton and hold it into the light and bingo !
At that spot I'm noticing there is very minor, maybe just 1mm or so, light getting through.
So I'm guessing this is a very small frown.
Most likely I caused this myself when trying out my coticule (small one) a few years back.
That was the reason I didn't use the razor that much anymore as I couldn't get it sharp again.

I've googled the frown and what I mostly see in pics and video's is waaaay worse then my razor.

So will doing rolling x's overcome the issue and fix the bevel? Or will I have to do something else ?

Fyi

That's nothing. Just hone through it with the 1k to get to the edge.

Originally Posted by Brontosaurus

That's nothing. Just hone through with the 1k it to get to the edge.

Using ordinary 40 circles then x strokes or rolling x strokes for as many sets as needed?

From the shot in silhouette, that looks like a little wobble from the factory to me. I'd have to see another photo to see the hone wear as introduced, but circles to X-strokes or circles to rolling Xs usually gets me there. You can check the edge via the thumb-nail test or when its shaving arm-hair to know when the move on, but the middle area's not going to be there until it's already there at the 1k bevel-setting stage IMO.

If you are just starting out resist the urge to do anything drastic. You can't replace steel, so try the least invasive methods first. Please don't breadknife that it's not that bad.

As others have said xtra time on the 1k to hone past the frown is recommended. Use the sharpie throughout the process. Resist the urge to bear down on the blade.

By honing this way you are bringing the edge in line with the spine and the blade sort of corrects itself.

I am just a voice in the wind there are guys here with lots of expertise that will be along to help you- don't be afraid to ask!

Just my 2 cents


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