Thread: It's not flat...

So I have 3 bokers in varius states of sharpness (all from eBay). I have a norton 330/1000 and 4K/8k combos. When I ink the edge and the spine on 2 of the 3 razors and do say 4 laps on the 1k I don't see complete elimination of the ink. So it's like the spine and edge don't sit completely flat on the stone. (Stones have been flattened with a diamond plate). This is apparent in the bevel on the cutting edge which is not even in width, on one side the bevel increases from heel to toe and on the other it is the opposite. Any suggestions on how to work on this? A more exaggerated X pattern, more pressure, less pressure and move to 330 and wait for everything to even out?
T

It sounds like you have a warped blade. Elimination of ink on the spine is irrelevant IMHO. More important is that you do have full elimination of ink on the bevel. If warping is minimal you can try a coarser hone and reset the bevel. If warpage is more than minimal you might need to use narrower hones to get a sharp edge all along.

I agree with Kees. Don't worry about the spine. It often happens this way with uneven bevels where it takes more time in one spot to remove the ink. I don't think it is "bad" necessarily, but you need to use specific techniques to sharpen the whole edge (x pattern, rolling, etc.).

So I know this is discouraged but here goes. I placed the hone lengthwise away from me and used gentle pressure with my fingertips across the length of the blade, pushing away and then flipping and drawing back. 1st pass on 1K and almost all the ink on the blade was gone, 2nd pass gone. Did 10 passes like this. Moved to 4k and did 15 laps same pressure, TNT, not quite, 15 more, TNT passed. Moved to 8k 15 laps, 50 on the strop. HHT failed. 10 laps at 4k, then 15 at 8k, 50 on strop, HHT fails. 15 laps at 8k, 50 on strop HHT passes on 75% of blade (ping) and catches on remaining 25 but doesn't go "ping" when the hair comes off. Will do cheeks with this tomorrow and see what comes of it. This is my first blade to "pass" (use this term loosely as not 100%) HHT so I am very pleased right now.
T

Congrats! A few lighter touches with the same stroke should give you some additional sharpness if you need it.

Sounds to me from what you said is that you used a 2 handed hone technique... Although it seems to be frowned upon, the 2 handed method does work, especially on not quite perfect blades. Sometimes just a touch of pressure will correct the blade, sometimes just the fingers guideing the back of the spine will do the trick.... I kind of visualize ruts in a snowy road when I use this method, you are trying to drive slowly down the road and cut new ruts that keep you centered in the road, the old hone job is trying to pull you back into the same bad ruts. if you can get that one pass to go straight, you can drive over the same spot again, and again, until you have cut new straight ruts.... Wow now that was way out there!!!!!! Sorry, Keep up the good work

Yes 2 hands, your descriptions is out there but you're right.