Thread: Good pre-honing warpage test

The marker test is great to use for diagnosing exact abnormalities in edge flatness that would then commonly require more advanced honing techniques.

Here is an easy test I use when I first get a razor to get a quick idea of what kind of honing I'll have to get into; again, the marker test is much more precise, but is used when honing rather than prior to honing.


Sure, pretty self explanatory, but lay the blade on a flat surface (hopefully your hone is such a surface!). A significantly warped blade will be easy to spot on the side of this side of the blade (what I call the "front" side or etch/wash side). Now it's not possible to see this great view of the edge when you use your same hand and just flip the blade so.....

swap hands. The edge still faces you looking at the other side of the blade. And on this razor.....what this? Spine must be off. This edge is not flat on the "back" side of the blade. Using only the weight of the blade, no or virtually no pressure, etc. would get nothing except frustration and time wasted on this razor since close to 50% of the edge on this one side is not making contact with the hone. A very narrow hone would probably accommodate the faulty contours of this razor and others like it, but I don't currently have a narrow hones.

Heel on that same side is not flat either. No wonder this new TI just can't seem to get sharp with the traditional "text book" method of honing.

A fair amount of the new Wapis I've purchased (3 our of 8) exhibit this type of behavior (edge flat on one side of the blade, not on the other).

This test has worked for me to give me a "first impression" of how a blade is before I start honing. I do have razors that are flat on both sides, razors that I can't slip a piece of paper under while on they're laying flat on the hone. I like those razors better.

Nice thread, this is a fairly common problem that is fairly easy to spot when it is significant. As you said narrow hones (or the side of a hone) will work well with this type of razor but there are also some advanced rolling techniques that one can use to hone a razor with warping issues on a wide hone. If I can get someone to bring a digital video camera to my get together at the end of march I will make a video tutorial on how I evenly hone these razors on a wide hone.

David, that would be absolutely awesome if you could make a vid on your technique. I know that many many of us would be indebted to you!! I have tried to visualize many of the text descriptions of this type of technique and simply can't. I'm crossing my fingers that you'll be able to videotape it.

Many thanks in advance, David. Wow, I'd be able to actually bring a bunch of cool old razors I have but can't as of yet hone, into my rotation?

Chris L

Originally Posted by Chrisl

Many thanks in advance, David. Wow, I'd be able to actually bring a bunch of cool old razors I have but can't as of yet hone, into my rotation?

Chris L

That razor looks like the perfect candidate, I am almost positive that I would be able to hone that one evenly. Is there anyone with a digital video camera in the Los Angeles area that would like to help me put together a simple video/lesson and get a free in-person honing lesson?

Originally Posted by heavydutysg135

That razor looks like the perfect candidate, I am almost positive that I would be able to hone that one evenly. Is there anyone with a digital video camera in the Los Angeles area that would like to help me put together a simple video/lesson and get a free in-person honing lesson?

I can either bring a camera to the meetup, or if you like we can arrange a time to get together before then.

Originally Posted by heavydutysg135

That razor looks like the perfect candidate, I am almost positive that I would be able to hone that one evenly. Is there anyone with a digital video camera in the Los Angeles area that would like to help me put together a simple video/lesson and get a free in-person honing lesson?

Did this happen?, could be nice to see how to hone such a thing.

I hope that this can come together.
So many older razors have some sort of flatness problems.

Originally Posted by asbjorn

Did this happen?, could be nice to see how to hone such a thing.

Not sure if chris is sending the razor, but I'll be bringing a camera to the meetup on the 30th to record a video for heavy duty, look for it in a monthish.

Oops, sorry guys, I hadn't checked this thread until just now. I also apologize that the TI pictured with the warpage won't be available for your meet up; I stewed myself into a bit of a I don't know what and.....I mailed it back directly to TI in France. Since I had tried to hone its problem out unsuccessfully, and clearly it did have a problem, I didn't think it was right for me to send it back to Classic Shaving where I originally bought it from. I figured I was OK with parting with the $20 postage. I wasn't nasty in my letter to TI by any means, but I finally decided I wanted to send it back to them. We'll see what happens.........

I sure hope that one of you at the Cali meet-up will have a warped razor. Please please have a warped razor!!!!!

Chris L

If that video ever gets made I would greatly appreciate taking a peek.