Thread: Looking 4 advice - 2 separate issues

Hello All,
Been lurking here for a while...reading, learning and trying. A big THANK YOU for sharing!!

The info.: I'm right handed and use a Norton 4K/8K hone...Been working on two razors. I have both of them close, but not quite there. #1 pulls and burns, so I decided to get more into the detail as to why...

1) Marsh Bros., Sheffield, hollow ground, 4/8 to 5/8 round point. When laid on the hone for a "pull" stroke, this razor lies flat. When in the "push" orientation, it has a rocking to it, almost like a twist. Should I keep trying to work this one side back into flat or stop while I'm ahead and try to find an available honemeister to send it to for the experienced touch??

2) Fredrick Reynolds, Sheffield, Extra hollow ground, 5/8 round point. When I started this one, it was butter knife dull. I noticed as I was working this razor, that the toe was not contacting as well as the heel. I'd make contact on the toe because of my loose, newbie technique. I finally got it to the point to try shaving...the hone was telling me the story. The heel to the mid-point of the edge was divine...the mid-point to the toe was awful. The question here...should I keep working this on the hone until the entire edge is uniform or send it out for some love??
Joe

I would vote to send both of them out. Its a cop out though because I'm tired of trying to explain honing with worn out typing fingers.

The alternatives are a little complex and probably belong in the advanced honing section but essentially involve honing/grinding the spine and creating not only the bevel but reestablishing the geometry of the entire blade.

Oh, btw, sometimes I can get around these issues just by applying tape. You sort of "go around" the problem of the bevel geometry by taping the spine. A simpler solution.

I would be glad to fix one for you too, ofcourse. Or atleast take a shot at it.

Thank you for confirming my suspicion, Alan. I know the Marsh is beyond my skills at this point. I think I could make the Reynolds work if I had a narrower stone and decent rolling X pattern technique.
Joe

It rarely hurts to try. Its really not hard to surmise what needs to be done to a razor to get "balance" between both sides and hone contact.

For the most part its just having the tools and the where-with-all to do it. I suggest you give it a shot and see what happens.