Thread: QUESTION ON HONING

I have a Wade and Butcher, that I've been shaving with, and when I first got it, I had to reshape the edge of the blade slightly. It had quite a frown to it. I got the edge flat on it, but like a couple other of my razors, I noticed that as I'm honing, the spine does not seem to want to lay flat on the hone, from one end of the blade to the other. That is to say that I have to employ a kind of rocking motion to maintain contact with the edge, the whole way across the length of the blade. Now I did manage to get an exremely comfortable shaving edge with this blade, but the problem is that the width of the edge bevel varies across the blade, and when I have to touch up the edge, it is extremely difficult to replicate the exact motions that I originally used to set the edge. Should I try to get a perfect width on the edge bevel, and if so, how do you do that when the blade does not want to lay flat on the hones? Also, what makes a blade lay funny on the hone like that? It doesn't appear that the blade is bent in any way, and I have had this problem with other razors as well.Any info will be helpfull.

Take my suggestions with a grain of salt. I need to see this stuff to make any sense of it. I work through these issues. The main reason is that I have blades that shave well and are easy to update. So, what survival does a "bad" razor have in my bathroom. The trash can is right under the razor bowl. I think the razors can see the trash can from their bowl just by looking over the edge of the sink.

What I do is keep honing, sometimes applying finger pressure to the spots that need more honing until its right. I've never failed to eventually correct a razor. But, it takes me time.

I would be really concerned though if this has happened more than once. That is the beginning of a trend in straight razor honing world.

If you were to post a photo of the blade it might be helpful to offer advice. Here is the SRP Wiki on honing. If you check out the tutorial on "the rolling x" that is what it sounds like you have been doing. Also check out "Lynn Abrams on Honing." Lynn has found that a heel leading 45 degree angle is effective in dealing with smiling blades or blades with uneven spines.

Having a uniform bevel from one end to the other and on both sides is desireable but it doesn't always work out that way. IME as long as you have a bevel whether even or uneven you can get the razor shaving.

The first problem you describe (the frown) can be caused by the second problem (the bent/badly ground blade). Put some magic marker on both sides of the bevel and run it straight down the hone on each side, no rocking, and see where the wear marks are. If the blade is even slightly bent then you will see more wear in the middle on one side and on the other wide will see more wear at one or both ends of the blade.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Take my suggestions with a grain of salt. I need to see this stuff to make any sense of it. I work through these issues. The main reason is that I have blades that shave well and are easy to update. So, what survival does a "bad" razor have in my bathroom. The trash can is right under the razor bowl. I think the razors can see the trash can from their bowl just by looking over the edge of the sink.

What I do is keep honing, sometimes applying finger pressure to the spots that need more honing until its right. I've never failed to eventually correct a razor. But, it takes me time.

I would be really concerned though if this has happened more than once. That is the beginning of a trend in straight razor honing world.

Is what you're saying in your last comment meaning that I may be using incorrect honing techniques. If so, you may be absolutely right. I sometimes wonder if the fact that I use nothing but diamond plate hones, and the spyderco ultra fine hone may be some of my problems. I sometimes feel that perhaps a waterstone like the norton 4000/8000 combo might give me better results as far as an even bevel is concerned. Whats your thoughts on that?

I am a staunch believer that the entire "try a different hone crowd" is full of it. If you cause the same problem, or the same problem seems to come up consistently then you should consider that you are doing something wrong. I would never make that assertion unless you say something to suggest a mistake in my mind. After all I have to behave nicely in public.

To me it seems really rare to come across two razors with the same problem. The only exception to this is excessive toe area hone wear. But, if you are causing the problem we should get that diagnosed quickly. I am only suggesting, as nicely as possible, that you should consider it.

I think every error in honing is caused by a honing mistake. Unless of course, you have two razors from the same original owner.

Assuming that the edge is flat length-wise, why can't you just tape the edge and even out the spine with some 120-400 grit? Sure it removes metal, but that's on the spine. If there's decoration on it, I can see why it's not desirable, but it doesn't seem that way.

Just a thought.