Thread: Is it normal to take so long..

Try adding a layer of tape. It seems when it's taking a ridicolous amount of time and you know your strokes are good you probably need to change the angle by taping the spine. I always start without tape usually and especially with these vintage razors end up adding tape in order to get a good sharp edge.

I'll give it a try tomorrow!

The only way I got the blade decent was by using some 3M sandpaper. What grit would you recommend? I know 3M sandpaper differs in rating from a Norton for example.

what kind of grind are you working with? I am working on a Fredrick Reynolds as well, it is almost a full wedge and has taken a couple of hundred laps on the 1k. It has a pretty good smile to it, so I am using the rolling x stroke. I am seeing progress, but it has huge scratches all along the bevel that I am going to get out with the 1k before I move to the 4k.

I expect another 2 - 3 hours of work before this is ready to go.

Get a jewelers loupe (10x) or a microscope and keep an eye on your progress. It takes time.

It has a bit of a smile but not much it's a 5/8 hollow ground blade. I think I'm gonna get some more 3M sandpaper today and get the bevel done and then move directly to the 8k and then yellow coticule with water.

Not sure what grit of sandpaper to get though I was using some 2000 grit 3m automotive paper (I was told that it's the equivalent of a 4k water stone) I might just go with something lower this time..

I would recommend that you use the 4K after the sandpaper. The 4K will smooth out the sandpaper's scratch pattern. If you are using a sandpaper grit that is sufficient to set a bevel, then I would suspect the scratches will be too deep to be smoothed out by the 8K.

Of course, I should point out that I have NEVER set a bevel, or honed at all, on sandpaper so it's likely that you should ignore my advice.

How long does it take to make 1000 strokes?
I always managed to loose count so i keep time. Setting a bevel is seldom formulaic imho. There's too many different directions needed to keep count, and I just cant see getting there by light finishing strokes for the entire effort.

two more questions? what is happening on the spine? What are you leaving on the stone?