Thread: I hadn't really considered this

Originally Posted by BobH

To learn to hone I just kept buying used razors that needed some to plenty of TLC. That way I did not keep grinding on the same razors wearing them away for nothing.

Bob

That sounds like enabling Bob.

"Hi, I'm Paul and I have RAD." ...

Actually that is a very good argument for buying razors, especially in lots. I have drawers full in one state or another of repair, renovation and restoration. This one addiction gave rise to others like HAD.

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

Ok, but why just grind away your razor, it’s meant for shaving not grinding, get a few cheap knives if you just want to grind. But hey it’s your steel, till it’s ground away

Your right TC. Luckily PaulFLUS generously sent me four blunt razors to learn and practice on that wouldn't matter if i killed em.

I still use those for practice rather than my others although they are in my rotation as well.

A lot of my razors are old beaters for less than $20 on the bay so I don't have a problem with honing them either, obviously I don't touch good stuff.

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

Actually that is a very good argument for buying razors, especially in lots.

I cut to the chase and just started buying raw steel.

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

My dad used stones with big bellies in them and he could get a knife so sharp it was scary.

Since knives are honed in an angle and not laying flat on the stone, they can be honed with a stone that has a big belly. It is not the same with straight razors that need to lay flat on the hone.

Originally Posted by Slur

Since knives are honed in an angle and not laying flat on the stone, they can be honed with a stone that has a big belly. It is not the same with straight razors that need to lay flat on the hone.

Yes that is true which I know can't be compared but don't forget that I also said...

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

...He didn't do as many razors but when I inherited his barber hone I flattened it because it was bellied also...

While I often use lapping film rather than stones, I do use my coarse stones a lot for edge repair and bevel setting. Usually I don't hone just one razor. I will do a batch of 10 or more. So, my coarse stones get lapped before every major session. Like @thp001, I try to minimize or eliminate overrun. Tiny little details can add up incrementally for a (maybe/sometimes/sorta) noticeably better edge. At least that is the theory that my possibly placebo effected brain works on. I agree with @PaulFLUS that honing in hand is a great way to keep the pressure balanced and regulated. Heel hooks? We know how to deal with heel hooks. Remove the heel! But a good X stroke with a good heel leading angle helps prevent them from forming.

@Euclid440 is right. First grid lapped away, only indicates flatness if it is ground off in just a few laps. I generally go a second time. The second go at it usually does get the grid off in just a few laps, and then you know it is pretty close to dead flat. I actually don't always draw the grid, for the first round. You can usually tell when you have a new fresh surface showing, without a grid.