frustrated with e.a. berg 4/8 frameback

I'm on my third? failed attempt to hone this razor. Three times now I've honed it up to where it's just barely shy of shave-ready, then bam. The thing's dull as a butter knife. Happens about the time I start fine tuning with diamond on felt. I haven't had any problems with any of the four other razors I''ve worked on since I got the diamond. Seriously, it went from almost there to blunt in maybe five laps on the felt, and that's after 10 laps that made a noticeable improvement in sharpness. I'm not using any pressure to speak of and I've tried to be very careful about keeping the blade flat. I don't think I'm rolling the edge or anything, so what n00b mistake am I making here?

Any help would be appreciated. For some reason I've taken quite a shine to this little thing and would like to shave with it.

I'm not sure exactly what the problem is here but here are a few things you could try.

The diamond sprays are quite aggresive and you can easily dull an edge if you use too much pressure or too many strokes, as I'm sure you know. It may be that this razor is softer steel than the others and so requires fewer strokes on the diamond. Try 5 laps only and see how that is.

What honing progression are you using? Again, if its softer steel you might actually be overhoning the edge very slightly and the diamond just dulls it. Maybe try coming off the hones earlier than you did with the others and go to your pastes from there?

Maybe try a different paste? CrOx or a finer diamond spray like 0.25m?

Maybe try not using the pastes at all and take it right up on a really fine hone like a 16k or 30k Shapton? Then just strop and shave as usual.

In the end, if the approach you are using isnt working now then try a few other things and see what works!

If it still wont behave after experimentation then it may be time to capitulate and send it to a honemeister. Then ask them what they did to it to get it shave ready!

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

+1 on Stubear's remarks. Diamond spray is really agressive and I think actually can over sharpen the edge. This may be what is happening to you. The diamond stuff was actually designed for the super steels used in knives, not for high carbon steel razors. So UMMV.
If you get really frustrated with this, PM me and I will give you a hand with it.

Ray

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Originally Posted by freeman

I'm not using any pressure to speak of and I've tried to be very careful about keeping the blade flat. I don't think I'm rolling the edge or anything, so what n00b mistake am I making here?

Any help would be appreciated. For some reason I've taken quite a shine to this little thing and would like to shave with it.

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There is 0 chance you are rolling edge.
what above said is could be the reason.
Or another possibility is temper is wrong on your razor. this doesn't mean you have done it may be before you.
GL

A corroded edge will do the same thing. If you have a scope use it to inspect the edge, if it looks like swiss cheese with holes and pits, it will have to be taken back to the bevel setting stage and kept there until the corrosion is abraded away.

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Originally Posted by nun2sharp

A corroded edge will do the same thing. If you have a scope use it to inspect the edge, if it looks like swiss cheese with holes and pits, it will have to be taken back to the bevel setting stage and kept there until the corrosion is abraded away.

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Hmm. Picking up a scope this weekend. Thanks for the advice, this community is great!

No luck on the scope, the local Radio Hack wasn't stocking them. But...it seems like the 4th time is the charm. Finally got a shave out of it although there's still room for improvement. Staying away from the diamond felt and sticking to Crox on leather seemed to do the trick.

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs050...._4012118_n.jpg