Thread: Point me in the right direction...

I got my Waterville Cutlery razor back form Lynn last night, and purchased one from him tonight. The one I bought tonight will be my "benchmark" razor. I'm currently working on a Simmons razor, 5/8 blade. This thing was DULL! Wouldn't shave my arm hair. I ran it over the Norton 4/8 and got it to the point it is shaving hair. Tonight, I spent a LONG time on the 4k side of the Norton, but no improvement. What is the "coarsest" stone I should start with, or do I just need patience?

RT

I'm still figuring stuff out, but I picked up a razor on ebay that had lots of nicks in the edge. So many that I had to sand them out with a 1000 grit stone. It did the trick, but then I had to spent a fair amount of time on the 4000 re-establishing a razor-sharp edge. After awhile on the 8000, it was sharp and I've shaved with it a few times, but I don't like it as much as some of my other razors. This was based on some advice from a bunch of senior members (and you might have contributed to this discussion also). I don't know if any of this was useful.
Best,
Mark

I assume that the Simmons is an old razor?
Did you perform the thumbnail test to check for nicks or use a microscope to check for a deteriorated edge? In my limited experience ALL of the old razors have had at least a deteriorated edge on them that needed to be honed away with a coarse stone, 1000 grit. The 4000 will work but it will take a lot longer to accomplish than a 1000 stone.

Lynn has suggested using a counter-clockwise circular motion on the Norton 4000, using two hands,to work on the bevel and for small nick removal. I have tried that and it does work.

Since you have the 4000 Norton try using Lynns method before you go to a 1000 grit stone or sandpaper. Once the edge is established with the 4000 then start using the 8000 and a pyramid sequence and pay attention to the rate of change that occurs.

If you have spent a long time on the 4000 with no improvement that would suggest that your bevel has not been created. You will need more work on either the 4000 or the 1000 to create that bevel.

Hope this helps,

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

I got my Waterville Cutlery razor back form Lynn last night, and purchased one from him tonight. The one I bought tonight will be my "benchmark" razor. I'm currently working on a Simmons razor, 5/8 blade. This thing was DULL! Wouldn't shave my arm hair. I ran it over the Norton 4/8 and got it to the point it is shaving hair. Tonight, I spent a LONG time on the 4k side of the Norton, but no improvement. What is the "coarsest" stone I should start with, or do I just need patience?

RT

Randy,

I'm not sure how old the Simmons is, but it is in incredible shape. Tight blade fit, no scratches on the blade or scales. No water spots or rust, just no edge. I've got the RS microscope, need to pick up some batteries tonight. I have taken it from sliding right off of the thumbnail (no grip) to having a uniform (at least IMO) drag across the thumbnail. Feel like I'm on the right track, but have hit a wall. Any suggestions on a 1000 grit stone? I've got a Carborandum (sp?) that is fairly coarse, but can't make out the number on it. Also, it is an oil hone, and I'm not sure what oil to use. Yep, just plain old newbie questions at this point!

RT

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

I got my Waterville Cutlery razor back form Lynn last night, and purchased one from him tonight. The one I bought tonight will be my "benchmark" razor. I'm currently working on a Simmons razor, 5/8 blade. This thing was DULL! Wouldn't shave my arm hair. I ran it over the Norton 4/8 and got it to the point it is shaving hair. Tonight, I spent a LONG time on the 4k side of the Norton, but no improvement. What is the "coarsest" stone I should start with, or do I just need patience?

RT

I wouldn't go below 1K to create a rough edge. THen go to 4K to make it look good. After that the 8K will polish it to shaving sharpness.

If the microscope shows only minor nicks in the edge then use the 4000 stone in a circular pattern to establish the bevel and remove the nicks.
The 1000 grit is very aggressive, I only use it to remove large nicks and establish a bevel on an edge that has rust or pitting.

The two stones that you mentioned would fall into the very coarse category
(in razor terms). They are also very slow. If they are to coarse they WILL!
chip the edge of the razor.
A better solution is either a 1000 grit sheet of sandpaper or a 1000 grit waterstone. A Norton is the best of the stones for a straight razor.

Let us know what the microscope says.


Hope this helps,

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

Randy,

I'm not sure how old the Simmons is, but it is in incredible shape. Tight blade fit, no scratches on the blade or scales. No water spots or rust, just no edge. I've got the RS microscope, need to pick up some batteries tonight. I have taken it from sliding right off of the thumbnail (no grip) to having a uniform (at least IMO) drag across the thumbnail. Feel like I'm on the right track, but have hit a wall. Any suggestions on a 1000 grit stone? I've got a Carborandum (sp?) that is fairly coarse, but can't make out the number on it. Also, it is an oil hone, and I'm not sure what oil to use. Yep, just plain old newbie questions at this point!

RT

Thanks for all of the helpful input! Hopefully, I will get the batteries for the microscope today. Work has kept me busy. I will follow up with a report tonight on the blade condition. Also, I just got a razor back from Lynn, so I will have a razor for good comparison.

Would a Norton 1000 grit be a good stone to have in my arsenol? My immediate plans are to get the pastes I need for my paddle strop to take care of my shaving razors, but I am enjoying the challenge of "restoring" a razor to shaving sharpness.

RT

A Norton 1000 was one of the best investments I have made when it comes to restoring the bevel on a Ebay special.

Just my two cents,

Randy,

I appreciate your 2 cents! Got the microscope up and running, compared the Simmons (my project) to the Waterville I just got back from Lynn, a Barber's Pet that I have been using and a custom razor I got from Papa Bull. Granted, my eyesight is not the best in the world, but it appears I am on the right track. No nicks. I can definitely see where I have the bevel very uniform on both sides. I'll see about getting a Norton 1000 ordered, but for now, will continue with the Norton 4000 side of my 4/8 stone.

On the 1000, I see that it is available as a 220/1000 combo and a 1000/4000 combo, or just as a 1000 grit. Any reason I would prefer one over the other, since I already have the 4/8k?

Randy

Why not purchase the 220/1000 combo? The only reason I have the single grit hones is because I bought them at estate sales.

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

Randy,
On the 1000, I see that it is available as a 220/1000 combo and a 1000/4000 combo, or just as a 1000 grit. Any reason I would prefer one over the other, since I already have the 4/8k?

Randy