Thread: It think it might be dead.

So far I have learned to hone well enough to take care of razors that are in good condition. I am still working on trying to figure out how to fix ones that have been favoured at the heel or toe either by the factory or previous owner.
Along the way I tried to fix a bismarck i have, the toe was a tiny bit wider than the heel so i though i would correct it. This is where it gets messy, I used too much pressure and created some unwanted honewear. So I left it on a shelf and said after many months i would return to fix my mistake.

Ugly as it is it seems its pretty even except for a bit above the "ark" in the "bismarck" etching which seems a bit heavy.

I would really like to know if there is a method to correct this terrible mistake without causing more damage to the blade geomoetry. Will honing with the correct pressure eventually even this out or is there another method.

Also if there are any new people reading this then the time when you think you have figured out how to adjust blade geometry is exactly the time you should go find another three or so extra ebay razors to prove that to yourself.

Answer to your question is yes.
i think what you have done may be intentionally or nor i am not sure left up the blade.
it seems like spine wear is even but edge is not.
someone has to hone the blade and don't worry about the spine wear . just get the bevel from heel to the tip. that is all.this shouldn't be a problem at all.
hope this helps

Dead? It's merely a flesh wound! A few minutes on a bevel setting stone and she will be right as rain.


Like Sham said, it could be from your uneven pressure or, more likely, it's warp in the blade. It's easy to see if you sight down the blade. Either way it can be "fixed".

To see if it's your mistake: magic marker the bevel, place on hone with light finger tip pressure on the spine ONLY, and make a few passes.

If that bellied out spot gets wiped away, it's the razor. If the marker is still present on that spot, you need to spend some quality time to reset the bevel.

make sure your stones are lapped, go easy on the pressure and you should be fine.

G'd morning, looking at the pics I'm not sure of the issue. If the issue is that there is more wear at the heel and the point that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Many times due to anomalies in the grind and the spine/bevel relationship you cannot get a symmetrical bevel. Doesn't matter as long as you have a bevel and get the razor shaving sharp. At least that is my experience. Cosmetically it may not be pleasing but sometimes that is the way it ends up.

plus one with Jimmy...

I would like to point out with perfect 20/20 hindsight that if you had used 1 layer of tape we would not be answering this thread...

BTW yes you can "correct the spine" but that can only be done with more removal of metal, always keep that in the back of your mind when Honing and Restoring razors... Not one person has figured out how to add steel to vintage razors,,, YET !!!!

Originally Posted by gssixgun

plus one with Jimmy...

I would like to point out with perfect 20/20 hindsight that if you had used 1 layer of tape we would not be answering this thread...

I would thank Glen for saving me from having to post, but.... it needs repeating, one layer of tape would have helped. A big +1 to Jimmy, Sham and Joe!