Thread: Need help honing

Hi everyone. Long time lurker here, used to be active on robert williams old forum. On to the problem:

I have a stainless dovo that I just cannot get shavable with a lapped norton 4/8k wetstone. I sent this blade to Robert Williams about two years ago for sharpening. I was able to maintain the edge for a while but eventually it went to dull to shave. I've tried bringing it back countless times. I'm worried I may have messed up the bevel (one side is sharper than the other ).

I have the norton 4/8k, and some new old stock barber hones from redtrader, including a supposed lithide very fine grit stone (it's pretty small and haven't been able to get it to work like the finisher it should be). I can't ever get the hanging hair test to work. I have read all the tutorials and watched many honing videos, I do not know what my problem is.

From the looks of things, looks like Robert is very busy man nowadays with his custom work. Is there a really good honer here that can restore my blade?

Yes, there are many of good honers around here.

I think your problem is not all that unique, the norton has a tendency to create a "wire edge" if things don't go just right and barber hones can be tricky as well.

A good Coticule stone would be the most likely candidate for taking on a problem blade since there's not a lot that can go wrong with them, but that's only if you feel like picking up a new stone.

I'd take a look at your blade if you want, send me an email (see below).

There are several honemeisters on this forum but before you throw in the towel I suggest you add a higher grit stone or a pasted strop to your honing ritual. I would suggest a 12k or 16k stone at the minimum for the final touch.

When I first started honing a Norton 4/8k was the only hone I had and while it would get a razor sharp it didn't have that polished buttery edge feeling. I recently added a Shapton 16k to my ritual and the difference is night and day. For the ultimate add a few laps on a chromium oxide pasted strap.

You should also be aware that stainless needs a lot more work than a carbon blade.

Too late, sent it to Russel Baldridge lol. I have some barber hones that should be higher grit. I have lapped them a few times but they don't seem to cut well, they feel very scratchy and I fear I am harming the blade. Don't have money for another stone right now.

Maybe i'll post some pics of the barber hones to see if anyone knows aything about them.