Need help honing up the CS #13 Filarmonica

Just got it in yesterday and haven't been able to get it where I need it. As some of you know, it has a very pronounced smile--this one does not seem to be warped if I lay it on a flat surface.

I'm using a natural 6x2 combo Belgian from Howard (lapped)--this thing makes my other 2 str8s scary sharp. The hairs run & hide! I read about the rolling-x and tried it--lifting the heel toward the end of the stroke. The magic marker test is still a no-go sometimes. Under the scope on one side, it was allmost gone, but right @ the edge (super thin), there was a strip of black. Does that mean a double bevel on that side or am I just reading too much into this?

Any thoughts? This looks to be a killer shaver when I (eventually:rolleyes: )figure out how to hone it...

UPDATE:

I checked it w/ overhead lights on a flat countertop & there is a slight warp--when the heel is touching, the middle/toe are not quite touching. This is more promouncd on the "wash" side. Is this a doable project w/o a DMT 1200 or something really coarse? I'd post a pic, but I don't have a camera.

I believe you'll have to use the "rock-n-roll" method that is mentioned in the honing forum to deal with the warp/uneven edge. Take a look at the stickies in that forum to find out more, and use the search function too.

The Filly's are also a hard razor. All of the razors that gave me problems in honing seemed to be harder steel, so it took longer than I expected. I wound up getting my CS Filly honed by Lynn.

Good luck with the honing. They are very nice shavers once they've got a proper edge.

Okay, I played w/ it some more--using a rolling-x (where only about 1/2" of the stone at the edge is touching in a stroke). It definitely seems sharper on the TPT. I'll give it a whirl tomorrow & see how she cuts. If worse comes to worse, I guess I'll just have to send it to Lynn or Mike.

Another Update: pretty crappy shave--didn't really pull, but it was not close @ all (I actually had to touch up w/ my old DE:o )

Played w/ it some more and got sharper on the TPT, but I don't feel like trying it yet--I'll use my Wapi; I know how to refresh the edge on that!:)

Anyone else try to hone one of these things on a 2" wide hone?

Are the edges/sides of your blue lapped? I have a slightly warped Pipe, so I've been using the edge/side of my Swaty. It's real thin so it takes quict a while, but it really helps to develop the honing technique.

No, it's a combo stone (blue fading to coticule). Cool idea, though. Actually I thought about using my cotigura rubbing stone, (it's long & thin), but it was too short!:D On a side note, do you think it will be this much trouble every time I need to touch it up after I have it honed by a honemeister (I'm thinking that's the smart way to go with this thing)?

I've done alright with mine since the initial, correct honing by Lynn. BTW, I had a couple of hard razors done by David (heavydutysg135), and he did a great job getting them shaving sharp.

He's a Belgian user, too!:D

The rolling X pattern stroke is the solution but it will take a long time. The only other alternative is a narrow hone, 1", but you would still be using a rolling X pattern stroke.
A DMT would not be the answer. They will not take out a warp.

There is another solution, a curved, rounded hone, but that takes just as much time or longer and pressure control is critical.

Just my two cents,:)