Thread: How to sharprin this thing

Git thus razor out today. Traced the spine cetered it on the blade and cut the smile on it. Put it on a 220 rock and started the rolling x. Is there any way to speed this up to get the edge or is it just gona be thousands of strokes. This picture is before the cut.

I use 1 layer of 3M Super 88 tape on spine to minimize spine wear. Some will say I am wrong, but. I set bevel on 200, 300, 400, 600 diamond hone from Harbor Freight. Then 6k Japanese water stone (100-200) strokes each side. Finish on 20k Jasper with water. Finally strop on canvas with Theirs Isard strop paste from The Art of Shaving and then leather.

You may want to fasten temporary scales to make it easier to hold.

That is a pretty nice blade, don't learn on that one.

I find honing a razor without scales to be a pain, so I would recommend scales.

One layer of tape on the spine is good advice.

The edge on that blade is straight (bread-knifed?) and the spine has a slight curve to it, so a rolling x-stroke is most appropriate.

Use 1 layer of tape on the spine and change it frequently.
Attach some scales of some kind.
Please do not use the Norton 220 because you will develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
I assume you breadknifed that edge. That was a mistake.
Get a diamond hone to recreate an edge.

Im with Doc on putting n some kind of scales first. Even if its just thin pieces of wood with micro bolts. It will make honing a lot easier than trying it without scales.

As far as honing you could start with a dmt325 with a high angle then work it down closer to the stone. Tape, yes!

Originally Posted by Gasman

Im with Doc on putting n some kind of scales first. Even if its just thin pieces of wood with micro bolts. It will make honing a lot easier than trying it without scales.

As far as honing you could start with a dmt325 with a high angle then work it down closer to the stone. Tape, yes!

Agreed. Use a high angle to start.
A dmt 325 or 325 silicon carbide sandpaper changed frequently.

I'm gonna be the killjoy here. From what I can tell in the photo, it really looks like somebody ground down a big old wedge of the "eagle" etched variety, and tried to make it "pretty" There was probably a load of rust, or maybe even big chips in the edge.

MY concern with blades like this, is in the grind and polish process, the blade has at minimum, lost its geometry, and at worst, the steel has been overheated in the process, and may never take a shaving edge again.
Dont even waste time here. Go right to 2 layers of tape, and get a bevel set on that edge. Find out if its even worth the effort. If you can set the bevel on 2 layers of tape, you can quick and easy drop down to 1 layer of tape and reset the bevel.
It may look like a nice blade, but there is every chance in the world the person who had it before you has created a situation that a beginner will be overwhelmed by. If you cant get it, dont be afraid to send it off to a pro for an evaluation/honing. It may be worth it not to lose sleep/hair/sanity over!

In addition to the above concerns you might want to ask yourself about thru hardening steel, martisite and pearlite and which is left on the edge.

Are you trying to put a smile on the edge?

If so, the Make Me Smile, post will show you how to do it. But it is an advanced technique.

You need to scale the razor first, and as also said this is not the razor to learn to hone on.

What other stones do you have and what is your level of razor honing experience?

Ya it may be trash and it may not shave. But its an old manhattan cutlery blade. Figured its worth a try and will be stored to keep if nothing else. Thanks for that make me smile link ive looked everywhere for that.