Thread: Toe ok, middle dull

Hi,
I'm honing a razor I've had for awhile, usually I have a hard time getting the toe sharp. This time, the toe is fine, it is a section in the middle that isn't getting a good response. I've been doing mostly standard x-pattern, with some rolling pressure. Any tips on hone patterns to focus more on the middle section of the blade? I'm a bit worried I'm developing a frown, but not quite sure...

Thanks,
-Chief

Have you tried the marker on the edge to see how it is contacting the hone ? I had a blade that was sharpening unevenly and Lynn suggested circles until it was evened out. Then returned to the x pattern. That worked on that particular blade and others since then. You might try that.

yes if you continue what you are doing you will make frown. Try to do marker test and see what edge gives to You.
sometimes blades just twisted if you have similar to twist blade i am afraid you will end up doing only circles to get something from that blade.it is a pita.
if you have problem only in 1 side of the blade
Example you try marker test and see when you make stroke on left side only heel and tip touches the stone and middle is missing.
In the other hand other side of the blade(right side) every single point is touching
in this case you are in good shave.
tape middle of the portion with 1 layer of the tape(left side) and honed out rest of the blade(back) make them even until whole length of the blade touches.
if your marker test show
left side only tip that heel touches and middle is missing
right side shows only middle touches and heel and tip is missing
you are a little trouble. this is twisted blade and only way to get out from this situation is
to make circular motion all length of the blade in both side. This is really not easy if you are not experienced on this you will end up uneven honed blade.
some point of the blade will sharper then other.
i hope this helps.

Thanks for the tips. I'll work on the diagnosis and let you know

-Chief

on blades like this is to use a narrow hone, ideally about 20mm. I draw the blade X-fashion, all across the bevel. This does not correct the irregularity of the edge, but it ensures that the problem area sees the hone and gets sharp, and will not increase the frown since all of the edge sees the hone equally. I haven't had much luck (on these blades) with rolling or 45 degree Xs, though obviously some do. I'm fairly new at this, but I've managed to get several warped or otherwise irreglular blades to respond to this. I've been using the side of a BBW-coticule to establish and refine the edge, then the side of a C12k to finish. I'm in the market for a narrow BBW-cot combo bout. Hope this helps.

Have you lapped your hone recently?

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

Try to do marker test and see what edge gives to You.

Did the marker test, good news is all parts of the blade are hitting the hone. I thought I just needed a touch up, but apparently I needed to step back further into a slurry to get the entire bevel to respond. Seems ok now...

-Chief

Chief while you did marker test did you use x strokes or just strait strokes?
if you have done x strokes then your test is false positive
if you are used straight strokes you are fine and congratulations.
do what you think that is a right approach. go to lower grit stone and come back again.
hope this helps.
lets us know how you progression

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

Chief while you did marker test did you use x strokes or just strait strokes?
if you have done x strokes then your test is false positive
if you are used straight strokes you are fine and congratulations.
do what you think that is a right approach. go to lower grit stone and come back again.
hope this helps.
lets us know how you progression

Hi,
I didn't know that you should avoid the x-stroke while doing the marker test-- thanks for the tip. I reran it and still passed. Decided to lap the coti again just in case, this time it came out better, but not great. Still the toe and the heel are just right, but the middle section is not as sharp... (I don't get it...)

Funny-- I have three razors, and this razor is the only one I have a hard time honing (it is a 1/2 hollow Livi regrind). My other two razors are full hollow and 1/4 hollow-- and even the 1/4 hollow is easier to hone than this one... maybe this razor has harder steel?

-Chief

Different strokes for different folks ..... I always use the x pattern with the marker test. Aside from using circles and back and forth strokes for metal removal while bevel setting I only hone with the x stroke so I also use it with the marker test. So far so good.