Thread: Honing a 5/8 vs. a 6/8

This doesn't make any sense to me. I have a couple of cheap 5/8 razors I started out with that I can hone and get them to a perfect edge. A couple of months ago, I bought a Dovo Bismark 6/8 from "Straight Razor Designs". When I first got it, it was shave ready and had a great edge. After 2 months, I decided to hit it a few times on the 8000 stone and it is duller than when I started. I've tried several honing methods and still cannot get it to pass the hanging hair test. Are there any differences between honing a 5/8 vs. a 6/8?

Originally Posted by kcarlisle

This doesn't make any sense to me. I have a couple of cheap 5/8 razors I started out with that I can hone and get them to a perfect edge. A couple of months ago, I bought a Dovo Bismark 6/8 from "Straight Razor Designs". When I first got it, it was shave ready and had a great edge. After 2 months, I decided to hit it a few times on the 8000 stone and it is duller than when I started. I've tried several honing methods and still cannot get it to pass the hanging hair test. Are there any differences between honing a 5/8 vs. a 6/8?

not for me.

I find it get's a little tougher to hone a hollow 7/8 but 6/8 is about the same as 5/8 for me in terms of honing feel. If you aren't using tape (electrical), one layer might help you deal with leverage of wider blade.

there is none between them.there is differences among different razor,s makers even differences between among dovo.s different name of razor. Hope this helps

If the Bismark is made of harder steel , then it might take longer to hone.
Also you may need to go to lower grit to set the bevel.

Technically there is no difference in honing.
However, there can be difference in steel.

Also, the structure might be different. If it is a full hollow, a wide blade might flex more, requiring a lighter touch. Otoh a wide blade may be easier to keep stable.

I haven't tried using electrical tape yet. It was only the first time I used only the 8000 stone to freshen the edge. After I found I could'nt shave with it, I went down to the 4000 and back to the 8000 but still didn't get a good edge. On one of my attempts, I swore up and down that I got a good edge but after the first few passes on my cheek it got dull. With the wider width, is it possible to have too great a bevel that dulls quickly? I'm wondering if the tape will lessen the bevel and hold a better edge.

basically if you are new to honing will better tape the back.
You are asking you think you may over hone the blade?
i doubt it. why it is not easy overhone the blade . you should be perfectionist and know what are you doing. then you may overhone.
in honing very important part is setting bevel.
if your bevel hasn't set then you will go up and down a lot on the hones and result will be none.
would you mind giving full information name of the blade how you start to hone etc every single details you can.
in this case we will know how to help better.

Originally Posted by kcarlisle

This doesn't make any sense to me. I have a couple of cheap 5/8 razors I started out with that I can hone and get them to a perfect edge. A couple of months ago, I bought a Dovo Bismark 6/8 from "Straight Razor Designs". When I first got it, it was shave ready and had a great edge. After 2 months, I decided to hit it a few times on the 8000 stone and it is duller than when I started. I've tried several honing methods and still cannot get it to pass the hanging hair test. Are there any differences between honing a 5/8 vs. a 6/8?

You were set up for a nice easy re-touch (Lynn & Don don't use tape BTW), some how you went past that when you attempted to sharpen the razor... I am of course assuming that the razor went slowly dull...

When you say 4k/8k are you talking Norton???

How dull is the razor now will it even grab at arm hair now???

I thought SRD had a free honing certificate when you bought a razor from them. Cant you send it back for a touchup?

Honing is Honing. You make adjustments for the blade if needed, but basically between 5/8 and 6/8th, no. Lynn doesn't tape, so you shouldn't tape the spine IMO. Doesn't SRD offer a free 2nd honing with the purchase of one of there razor's....?