Thread: not quite honed

Good morning everyone!

About two weeks ago I purchased a Dovo Shavette to see test the waters with this whole straight shaving thing. Within two days my skin was way happier and I decided to take the plunge and buy a real straight razor (Wapienica) from open_razor on ebay.

Knowing it was going to need to be honed, and being a fairly experienced metalworker, I decided I would do it myself and purchased a Norton 4K/8K and an old razor I found nearby at an antique shop. I was able to get the edge pretty honed but it's not quite sharp enough. It will cut hairs while shaving, but it also pulls a lot and it's not the most comfortable of shaves.

Does anybody have any tips that might help me get it sharper? I was figuring I would take it back to the 4K to further set the bevel, then 8K, then strop it up and shave test again. Any ideas would be really helpful, and I'm glad I read the forums and bought a practice razor before attempting to hone my NOS Wapi.

Thanks,
Bryan

Hi and welcome!

If the razor shaves, but pulls a little bit, you should probably try some conservative pyramids as described here
You should lapp your Norton, if you haven't already done it.

There are some good post about the pyramid system over in the basic honing section.


Hope this helps.

Thanks a bunch! I was looking at using the pyramid system, but I was also thinking that the bevel wasn't set and I needed to start over again from scratch. I did lap both sides of the stone last night, so I'm gonna try the pyramid and see how it goes.

Ok....So it turns out it wasn't my honing technique because I just honed the NOS Wapi and it works flawlessly!

I'm guessing my problem with the other one is that it is a blade that is at least 70 years old, and is going to require some extra work to get it shave ready. Any ideas out there as to how long it's gonna take?

Originally Posted by Bdehlin

Ok....So it turns out it wasn't my honing technique because I just honed the NOS Wapi and it works flawlessly!

I'm guessing my problem with the other one is that it is a blade that is at least 70 years old, and is going to require some extra work to get it shave ready. Any ideas out there as to how long it's gonna take?

Depends how bad the bevel edge is. If it has nicks/chips, add hours. If it has rust pits on the bevel by the edge, add more hours.

If the edge is consistent, but just very dull, it could be a matter of an hour or less.

Post some pics and you will get a more specific response than my vague ramblings.


If it's really bad, you would want something more aggressive than a 4k or you will be honing till the cows come home....and then leave again. Some folks (me included) use wet/dry sandpaper on something flat to rough a razor in, and then hones to really set the bevel and get it shave ready. Be careful with the sandpaper though.

Age isn't necessarily an indicator of edge quality, I got a razor that sat in a box for about 50 yrs or more. I just wiped the factory rust preventative off, made a few passes on a barber hone and it was shave ready. It really just depends on how it was handled during it's life.

Originally Posted by joke1176

Age isn't necessarily an indicator of edge quality, I got a razor that sat in a box for about 50 yrs or more. I just wiped the factory rust preventative off, made a few passes on a barber hone and it was shave ready. It really just depends on how it was handled during it's life.

Half of the razors in my usual rotation were made in the 1800's, (two of which are the best shaving devices I've ever used).

The age isn't necessarily the problem. You'll just need to examine the edge and hone it until any problem areas are non-existent.

If it has any significant hone wear it'll take longer to hone than the wapi did because you have to abrade off more material. Also, did you strop it thoroughly after the honing? some razors need 100 or more strokes before they shave correctly.

Congrats on your success though!