Thread: Problem honing

Originally Posted by rodb

I've had a few that just don't like to be honed and I have to set them aside for a bit to save my own sanity lol!! Maybe the Hart has real hard steel and it just takes more time

I do believe that the steel is hard, or there is some property that causes different than my other razors. My sanity was tested with this one. lol

Originally Posted by Chugach68

I have Norton 1k, 4k, 8k and a c12k.

One thing to add, I have a carborundum barber hone that I also used to get this edge. I ended up using it after the c12 because I didn't like where the edge was,(it was still uncomfortable). After I used the barber hone I went back to the 8k and c12 again. I believe the barber hone is what finally got me over the hump on this razor.

In answer to your original question, I've had razors that have been trouble free for ages and then when re-honing was finally required, have proved absolute bastards to get right. My particular one at the moment is a Bengall from the 1890s that just refuses to play right. I'll solve the problem eventually by following one of Gssixgun's dictums - i.e. "try something different" - but until then, this one's giving me the you-know-whats.

Originally Posted by Maladroit

In answer to your original question, I've had razors that have been trouble free for ages and then when re-honing was finally required, have proved absolute bastards to get right. My particular one at the moment is a Bengall from the 1890s that just refuses to play right. I'll solve the problem eventually by following one of Gssixgun's dictums - i.e. "try something different" - but until then, this one's giving me the you-know-whats.

Oh that's an easy fix Mal, pre 1890 Bengall razors were magnetically aligned to be honed at latitude 40 degrees south or more. Just so happens I am at 41.8 degrees south, pretty much perfect. Not a lot of people know that...

Originally Posted by Grazor

Oh that's an easy fix Mal, pre 1890 Bengall razors were magnetically aligned to be honed at latitude 40 degrees south or more. Just so happens I am at 41.8 degrees south, pretty much perfect. Not a lot of people know that...

Aw S#!t, that must be it. I'm at 26.5 S; no wonder it doesn't want to come right!

I have a TI that gives me fits. Sometimes it will hone up great--other times, it couldn't pass as a rusty butter knife. I do love the challenge of it though.

Originally Posted by jseitz

I have a TI that gives me fits. Sometimes it will hone up great--other times, it couldn't pass as a rusty butter knife. I do love the challenge of it though.

So do you think it is the razor or you? My thoughts are, if I can get it to where I want, then why not the next time? I guess some razors are harder to be consistent with than others.

Originally Posted by jseitz

I have a TI that gives me fits. Sometimes it will hone up great--other times, it couldn't pass as a rusty butter knife. I do love the challenge of it though.

The C135 steel used by TI is quite hard. It is a challenge to hone. I found that I can get a great edge on mine if I spend longer on each hone to make sure all stria/scratches from the previous hone are removed. It takes some patience, but you will be rewarded with an edge that lasts longer than razors that hone more easily. Thus, during the lifetime of the razor, it really does not spend any more time on the hone. Each honing takes longer, but they will be less frequent.

Originally Posted by Chugach68

So do you think it is the razor or you? My thoughts are, if I can get it to where I want, then why not the next time? I guess some razors are harder to be consistent with than others.

Probably (mostly) me! lol I'd definitely consider myself still in the novice stage (but improving).

Originally Posted by RayClem

The C135 steel used by TI is quite hard. It is a challenge to hone. I found that I can get a great edge on mine if I spend longer on each hone to make sure all stria/scratches from the previous hone are removed. It takes some patience, but you will be rewarded with an edge that lasts longer than razors that hone more easily. Thus, during the lifetime of the razor, it really does not spend any more time on the hone. Each honing takes longer, but they will be less frequent.

Now I feel better! I'll try spending longer on each hone and make lots of use of my loop.