Thread: Just picked up a challange.

Hello all,

So I just received two new used razors. One a Boker King Cutter that Im sure will turn out just fine. The other a Tillotson Celebrated Full wedge.

I am having serious problems with the latter. I have never honed a wedge, never to mention one with such a large smile.

It came to me completely blunt with absolutely no bevel; I have no idea how it got to be in such bad condition other than the fact that it is about 180 years old.

I've been at it for maybe 30 or 40 minutes trying to reset the bevel, but it still will not cut arm hair. This, I have read, means that the bevel is not set. Is there any reason why it would take so long? Should I just continue to use my Norton 4K until it will cut?

I just dont want to damage the blade if it wont help the shave. There is a noticable difference however. The bevel is at least present now, and it of uniform thickness all the way down the blade which tells me my rolling-x's are nice and even.

Any ideas on how to get this thing cutting?

If there is interest I can post pictures... if it will help

Wedges can take some amount of work, and using a 4k is really ambitious of you..
I have taken over an hour on a 1k to sort out a wedge bevel...

The problem with most of them is that there are actually multiple bevels, you have to even these all up to do it right...
Turn the razor to an extreme heel forward (over 45 degrees) angle, and do some X strokes, you will be able to "feel" the bumps of many bevels these need to be smoothed out, then you're getting someplace...
You can use circles to help with cutting these bevels even, if you don't have a 1k try making a slurry on the 4k to help cut faster...
Wedges are usually a lot of work, however now and the you get one that hasn't been abused, and they hone just as fast an easy as any hollow grind....

Just finished up honing it! It took me many hours to do, but its done.
I just used it a moment ago and it is the best shave i have ever had. The extra weight behind the blade feels a lot better to me than my hollows. Although I must say that the blade itself is not as sharp as my Boker,it still shaved BBS on most of my face; the exception being my neck since I really need a ATG pass to get BBS but I dont like the irritation it causes me.

I will be wanting to get her rescaled since the current ones are terrible (to me). I will post some pictures once it is all done up nicely.