Thread: Different type of smile?

So Last week I picked up two blades off of Ebay. A Genco and a Classic. The Classic was an easy honing and I can shave well with it. The Genco has been giving me a lot of trouble. When trying to reset the bevel on the Genco, I noticed that the toe and heel-only on one side-were getting sharpened well but the middle of blade was not getting touched at all. After a very close inspection of the blade I noticed that it has a slight warp if looking down at it from above, edge to spine. Is there any way to correct/work around this? or is this blade just lost to me?

If you mark the edge of the blade with a magic marker and then do 1 or 2 laps, look at the marker and see what hasn't been removed along the edge on both sides. One side is probably the opposite of the other.
The problem you are describing is, as you say, a warped blade. This requires a rolling -x stroke to mitigate the problem. That is more of an advanced stroke for you, if you are just starting out.
Go to the Wiki section and watch all the video's on honing to get an idea of how this is done and go from there. Perhaps maybe a different razor, with no warp, would help.

Ray

Originally Posted by rayman

If you mark the edge of the blade with a magic marker and then do 1 or 2 laps, look at the marker and see what hasn't been removed along the edge on both sides. One side is probably the opposite of the other.
The problem you are describing is, as you say, a warped blade. This requires a rolling -x stroke to mitigate the problem. That is more of an advanced stroke for you, if you are just starting out.
Go to the Wiki section and watch all the video's on honing to get an idea of how this is done and go from there. Perhaps maybe a different razor, with no warp, would help.

Ray

That is what I assumed is wrong with it. I bought these blades to practice on anyway, so I guess I'm getting my moneys worth in that respect. I have been working with a rolling X on a Norton 220 and I'm just placing a finger on the center of the blade when I'm doing the one side with the unevenness. I have gotten the bevel looking fairly even now but it still needs more work to get it actually sharp.
Thanks for the advice I'll be sure to post when I get it shaving... one day

I am currently teachng someone how to hone, over the phone. It seems to be working quite well for them. If you are interested in discussing your issue and maybe walking through the process to get you going I would be willing to help you. PM me your name, time zone, and phone number. I will then contact you later this evening.


Ray

Yay, I've finally set the bevel and it is even. I guess I just have to remember the strokes I used for the future :/

YEA!!! Way to go.

You really don't need to remember any stroke. All you have to remember is how to find the stroke. Some razors will require the same stroke and some will reqire a little adjustment. Now that you know how to find it, you shouldn't have any trouble.

Keep practicing

Ray

Read this.

At the bottom, is a few paragraphs on creating and maintaining a proper smile. This would also work to correct a frown.