Thread: Narrow hones

Refine the technique you're using. I would definitely NOT recommend grinding the shoulder down. You might also try honing the length of the razor i.e. about 20 degrees off of straight along the edge. The 20 deg is because of the shoulder. Some razors, when honed into the edge will develop microchips and that's why, with some razors, I don't hone into the edge but more along the edge. You'll see this technique in my forthcoming DVD on honing razors with Shaptons. It stars myself and Harrelson Stanley.

When you hone, hone. Don't watch tv, grasshopper
My main advise is to round the edges of the stone, because that will hurt your edge badly otherwise.
That, and practising without distractions. I always sit at the kitchen table, with some music on to prevent me from starting to listen to the background noise of the tv in the living room.

If I work on a restoration project or on honing someone else's razor, I feel it deserves my complete attention in order to do the best I can. And if I don't feel like concentrating on the work, I put it away to prevent myself from doing a bad job or ruining a razor.