Thread: Weird results from the Marker test

So, If you know anything about my honing, you will know that I can constantly put out great shaving razors, but that I also take HOURS to set a bevel (3-7 hours on average)

Well, I would really like to cut that time down... Problem is, I don't know how... Here's my current problem: I have a razor with an edge that is flat (with a slight curl at the toe, but that's not a problem)

I have the bevel, to the naked eye, fully set... However, whenever I try the marker test, the bottom half of the back side of the blade doesn't pass... That's the results I had before even starting to set the bevel, and now, two hours later, those are my results...

I am on the 1k doing circles nonstop, and, no matter how much metal is removed, the area won't shrink... No matter what I do, this area won't lose marker... Do I need to just keep removing metal until it is one clean pass, or should I give up and use the rolling X?

Also: this is only on the back of the blade.. Witht he front of the blade, an x stroke removes marker cleanly from heel to toe, with the back of the blade, an x stroke removes the top half of marker, but not the bottom half...

Any suggestions? Sorry if that wasn't clear enough

how's the hone wear on the spine?
Also do you use tape?

Hone wear is fairly light and pretty even (and it is wearing where the marker won't remove from, if that helps)

I /hate/ using tape (just for personal OCD Bevel angle reasons) so no, I don't

could we see a pic so that everyone is clear on exactly which parts of the bevel aren't being touched... Also, any pics showing possible spine wear, warping etc. would help. If this is what I'm picturing, I believe I had a warped (twisted really) blade that did this until I used the rolling x....

Originally Posted by Del1r1um

could we see a pic so that everyone is clear on exactly which parts of the bevel aren't being touched... Also, any pics showing possible spine wear, warping etc. would help. If this is what I'm picturing, I believe I had a warped (twisted really) blade that did this until I used the rolling x....

Fairly crappy camera, but I'll try

Here are pictures of the problem... From the middle down where it's darkened, that's the marker... dunno how visible it is.. Sorry

Any other angles you need?

usually when I have a razor that does not hone with standard circles or x strokes, I test which more exotic stroke will do the job.
You could also try narrower stone if you have one and see if this will help.

Originally Posted by mainaman

usually when I have a razor that does not hone with standard circles or x strokes, I test which more exotic stroke will do the job.
You could also try narrower stone if you have one and see if this will help.

Heres my question: If I just stick with the circles for a long time, will it remove enough metal to smooth it out, or will that not work? Do I have to find a varied stroke that fits the bill?

Originally Posted by ShavedZombie

So, If you know anything about my honing, you will know that I can constantly put out great shaving razors, but that I also take HOURS to set a bevel (3-7 hours on average)

I'm not sure how to reconcile the two halves of that sentence.

First, if the back of the blade is the one causing trouble, could you please provide a photo of that side of the blade? Spine wear might be informative. Second, could you clarify what you mean by the "slight curl of the toe?"

Originally Posted by ShavedZombie

Heres my question: If I just stick with the circles for a long time, will it remove enough metal to smooth it out, or will that not work? Do I have to find a varied stroke that fits the bill?

Circles only, might or might not work the problem, depending how much warp you have. IMHO working for many hours with stroke that might or might not solve the problem is counter productive, not to mention the hone wear you will induce on the spine. The proper stroke will do the trick much much faster.

As Delirium suggested try rolling x, those are usually very good for problematic edges.