Thread: Honing a dull razor with Norton 4/8k

Disclaimer: I'm a complete newbie to honing. My Norton combo stone arrived just few days ago.

I was wondering if it's even possible to hone a dull (I can easily "put my finger against it and not get cut") Stainless Steel (!) razor with a 4000/8000 Norton waterstone. Do I perhaps need to order a 1000-grit hone, or would 4/8 combo do? I don't mind about wasting my time with it since I think I already did that yesterday

At least it seems to take forever to get anywhere. I've been able to get the edge to shine quite nicely and it even cuts _some_ hair when waving the razor around over arm hair. But mostly the hairs just bend down when they meet the razor.

I've done at least 100 strokes with the 4000-grit and almost as much with the 8k one.

Should I just continue?

Thanks,
Monco

You must have killer upper body strength by now.... Read and do what's explained in this, then strop on plain leather and see if anything changes.

There was no indication that the blade was over-honed but I did as you suggested anyway. I didn't see the wire edge coming off of the blade but it could have helped all the same.

I was able to get it to cut my arm hair quite effortlessly, although I have to keep it in a suitable angle. If I keep the blade perpendicular to the hair, it will (mostly) just glide over the hairs. I was also able to cut some of the thicker hairs of my head but accomplishing this wasn't easy at all. Most of the time I was just able to bend the hair with the help of the razor

I have no idea what I should do next but whatever it is, I'm not quitting just yet because at least I was able to do _something_ with the hone.

Monco

Is your razor new? or is it an Ebay/antique store find?


Let us know so we can help you further.

Oh, sorry, forgot to mention that. It is a new Solingen-branded razor. It's stainless steel (whatever that means). Check http://www.nippes-solingen.de/scheren/friseur.htm for a picture.

Funny thing is that I send it to the manufacturer who says it is very sharp and that I shouldn't try to hone it with a stone because "there's a honing device for that purpose".

Well, the razor seems to be fine, if a little warped or uneven on the other side of the blade but not much. I can see this by looking at which parts of the spine and the edge have wore out by honing. I can now shave arm hair with it which probably means I'm somewhere halfway.

Hello again!

I tried Davids link but got nothing however I assume, based on your respone, that he directed you to a section on wire edges and over honing.

Since you already have the 4000/8000 you can try the following first before going out abd buying a 1000 grit stone or a sheet of 1000 grit sandpaper ( much cheaper for one razor).

Try the following pyramid sequence

4000 hone 8000 hone
10/5
5/5
3/5
3/5
1/5
1/5

Now check the edge and notice the change then perform whatever test you use for sharpness. If it passes your sharpness test then strop the razor on plain leather 35 laps and have a test shave. If it does not pass your test then repeat the above but omit the 10/5 and instead start at 5/5 and test again. Repeat a couple of times if necessary. If the razor is stiil not good enough then reinstitute the 10/5. From the above you will develop a feel for the rate of change that occurs.
I finish off my razors with a
3/5
1/5
1/5
1/5
Pasted strop
plain strop

Keep us posted on the results please,

Did that, I can't notice any real difference. I did the pyramid sequence starting from 10/5, then repeated the same (now starting from 5/5) 2 times, then did it once again from 10/5. I stropped 30-40 times between all the sequences and tested the razor by shaving arm hair, sliding it on my ball of thumb, cutting hair. I couldn't feel any noticeable difference. I used very light pressure and constantly sprayed water on the 4000 side. I also soaked the stone for about 15 minutes before I started,

I can see how the stone makes the edge bevel shine and removes metal also from the spine, but I haven't encountered any of the symptoms of over honing (which uthed was referring to as I understand).

It feels like nothing has changed. It shaves arm hair but it doesn't even do that quite perfectly. And no way on earth it would cut a hanging hair (if I do the test correctly). I can press (literally push) the blade against my finger or skin and I've done this several times without getting a single wound. I have shaven my cheeks several times with the razor and haven't got a single wound (which is probably a bit weird for a beginner). Shaving other areas or against the skin is impossible due to the pull and resulting pain that the razor causes.

I can even tap the blade against my skin with a light force and it doesn't even leave a mark! I think this baby is simply dull as hell... So what about that sand paper option? I wouldn't want to spend my money on a 1000-grit stone.

Thanks for help
Monco

Hmm, I have to add that the spine seems to be quite severely warped on the other side and I can see that on the other side the tip and heel are honed while on the other side the center is honed. Please see http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group...e/message/6580 for more on the subject.

I first thought this was no big deal but I guess it could be the reason I'm getting nowhere. I also have to add that the razor is "hand made", whatever that means.

Originally Posted by monco

Hmm, I have to add that the spine seems to be quite severely warped on the other side and I can see that on the other side the tip and heel are honed while on the other side the center is honed. Please see http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group...e/message/6580 for more on the subject.

I first thought this was no big deal but I guess it could be the reason I'm getting nowhere. I also have to add that the razor is "hand made", whatever that means.

Try laying the razor flat on a glass table top. It it is warped to any but a negligible degree, it's toast as a fine shaver. The only repair method involves a visit to the smelting pot.

I have to think that David is right again.

If it is warped try to get a refund from the seller. Then look in the gallery section under the items for sale by members. You will find some quality razors there for a small amount of money and usually pre honed.

Best of luck,