Thread: Rogue razor

Hi everyone!
I have been using straight razors for 12wks now ,am thoroughly enjoying this art although progress is at best slow .i dont cut myself so often now and face is gradually getting smoother, so must be doing something right!
TECHNIQUE TEQHNIQUE TECHNIQUE!
I have a collection of 6 razors,but only use 5 on a daily rotation basis.The
reason i dont use the 6th is I CANNOT SHARPEN THE D----D THING!!
It was a gift from another ebay seller who sent it FREE with my favorite razor (a vintage Nowill & co sheffield steel wedge circa 1900).
I have sharpened several vintage razors to shaving standard but despite all attempts this one remains blunt.(maybe thats why it was free!!)
It is a Kropp 3/4 inch blade sheffield steel ground in Hamburg. Quite a good quality razor (or so i thought)even though it has extensive hone wear on the spine.
I know all you will say is "get it sharpened Professionally"-but this has gone too far for that .I will personally sharpen this razor or ...........(you know)!!!
I have one problem.My hones only start at 3K which i believe is not ideal for cutting a new bevel.
I have thrown it in my razor box having given up (temporarily of course).
ROGUE RAZOR has won round one!(and round two) etc etc .
Has anyone any thoughts on this??
regards
Noggs

Hey Noggs,

I'd recommend getting a 1k stone to speed up the bevel
setting job, but you could get by with your 3k. Check out
the `circles' technique that Lynn uses in the following
videos:

Honing videos - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Also, as you know, don't let it frustrate you -- if the
edge isn't coming put it away for another day




- Scott

since your hones start at 3000 you can either get a lower grit, preferably 1000, try sandpaper, or just keep on your 3000 grit hone until the razor gets sharp. slurry can speed up the process.
if i were you i'd try to figure out what the problem is. if you look at the edge under magnification you can get some ideas of what is happening. if that's not an option try to cover the edge with a marker and the wear pattern may be useful.
i have one more idea but the things above should cover that case as well.

Hi Gugi,
Thanks for the advice,i have tried at least 3 or 4 times to sharpen this razor but after 100+ passes or more on the 3k hone it gets a little frustrating!!- also until very recently i was worried about overhoning but have since found on the wiki that this is very rare. l will probably get a 1k hone eventually but for now i'll try that sandpaper or the marker both seem interesting- er-now wheres that razor??
Nice to know your out there!!
regards
Noggs

Hi sebell,
Thanks for your advice- will probably acquire a 1k hone eventually to speed up bevel & repair work.Funds a little tight at moment but will keep an eye out for a bargain.
Once again thnks-nice to know your out there.
regards
Noggs

300-400 passes is not all that much, or is way too much, it really depends on the starting point.
The problems with honing are mostly with assessment, at least that's what I've seen on the razors I've gotten with inadequate edges.
In any case let us know how it's going.

noggs, can you post a photo of the offending blade ? Sometimes the best thing to do when you have heavy honewear on the spine is to use a layer or two of tape to raise the blade angle back to what it would have been. Have you done the marker test on the edge to see if your stroke is making contact for the length of the blade ?

If you do circles, say 40 on each side with firm pressure. Follow with 20 x strokes and do a TNT. If it isn't there or is close do another 40 circles with light pressure followed by another 20 x strokes. Lynn gave me that recipe for setting bevels and it has been very effective IME.

Hi jimmyhad,
Thanks for that formula -will try to get pictures on site if all this advice comes to nothing-will be appying this to my razor asap.
Once again thanks -I'll keep you informed of progress!
regards
Noggs