Quote Originally Posted by DZEC View Post
I agree with Paul. I think I see some micr chips on the edge in the middle picture.

Using a pasted strop after a good linen stropping might bring them back to shaving readiness.

If that does not work, I suggest breadknifing the edge by LIGHTLY running the edge over the edge of your 8K and then using several X strokes on the 8k to bring the edge back. Then follow up with the pasted strop and see if that helps
By "LIGHTLY" should I assume you mean literally zero pressure other than gravity? Otherwise I don't see how you could do that at all without totally destroying the edge. I don't have a pasted strop, all I have is 1k stone, 4k/8k, micron cloth, strop with nice linen. I guess I could try the linen side of the strop and see if it helps.

Quote Originally Posted by outback View Post
For guys new to honing... This takes a little time, touching back up a razor on your finishing hone. U may be looking at a 1/2 hour or more, depending on your abilities. Especially if theirs chipping.

Maybe send um back to Paul, have I'm touch them back up for ya.
I don't have a finishing hone, I have a polishing wheel with 3 micron cloth (some people say not to try that). I could get one though.

Time is no object here, I bought these stones with the explicit goal of learning how to hone well myself, which is also why paul sent me the razor. I am more than happy to dump hours into this until I get decent at it.

It is pretty unfortunate though that half the point of that was to familiarize myself with what a properly honed blade feels like, so that it would be easier to evaluate the results of my own honing, only to then not be able to use it for a straight year. I did use it enough to get the idea though, I think.

Actually I just tried checked the blade again, it did catch and cut a loose piece of hair in a few areas, and did just fine shaving down my arm, so maybe I'm exaggerating how bad the edge is. This other cheap antique blade I'm trying to hone fails miserably at catching any hair at all, I will be much more aggressive trying to hone that one.