I have a Gold Dollar marked "208" at the tang that appears to be about 13/16ths, full hollow, round point, with a very beveled heel. It's a big razor, with a nice fat spine. But I've been having some challenges in honing it, and could use some expertise from y'all who have worked with GDs before.

I'm using Naniwas, 1K - 5K - 8K - 12K. I am finishing on Japanese naturals. I've run the entire progression starting with a re-bevel at 1K, twice now.

The first challenge was that this GD is double shouldered, with shoulders that jut out much wider than I'm used to, and interfere with my usual honing stroke I use with other razors. I've adjusted to that now, but my first honing pass from 1K - 5K resulted in chipping right at the heel.

So I "bread knifed" the heel to remove this chipping, ran through re-beveling starting at 1K all the way up through 12K and thought I was good. Popped hanging hairs, but gave a lousy shave. I noticed that I seem now have a "twisting" bevel, when I look under a microscope. The edge is beautiful and deadly sharp on the front 2/3rds of the razor, but twists to form a much duller 2nd bevel in the rear towards the heel where I bread knifed.

I like this razor's size, shape, and grind, and think it has potential if I can figure it out. I am very willing to start over (again) at 1K and am open to advice from experienced GD honers.

(If you think the GDs suck, vent away. But know that I'm under no illusions that I'm honing a Dorko or Puma here, I realize what I'm working with. But I like it, and the challenge. )

Thanks!