Thread: Only sharp on one side of the blade?

Alright, I've got a blade that is stumping me.

I've set the bevel and gone to the 4k. Now I am doing test shaves on my arm and when I shave with the back of the blade up (hold in right hand, shave back of left hand) I don't get any hairs to pop. When I shave with the front of the blade up (hold in left hand, shave back of right hand) hairs fall off before the blade even gets close to them its so sharp.

I've tried going back to the 1k for 20 - 30 more laps, followed by ~50 laps on the 4k. I still have the same problem.

I use 1 layer of tape on all of my razors. That shouldn't be a problem.

Suggestions anyone?

Test for a folded edge using either the point of a pin, gently slide it toward the edge, or use the back of your thumbnail gently draged spine to edge..

The pin will catch, or the nail will peel if a folded edge is present check in a few spots...

About 5 backhoning strokes will correct it...

Hope that helps

I'll give that a try when I tackle this next. I put the stones away for the day. No honing when frustrated for me.

Smart man...

I can't think of much else other than a severe twist in the blade but that should be very noticable...

Sorry that is all I can think of now

You said you set the bevel, but you need to make sure both bevels are set - to me that means staying on the 1k until the hairs are popping from either side.

A marker test may help show you why one side is not responding well if the problem is not a folded edge

What kind of razor and condition??

Other than this I would look to the difference in pressure you are putting on the side of the razor without the burr.

Have you tried circles??

Have fun,

Lynn

Its a Wester Bros Yankee Shaver in almost NOS condition.

Here's an image from the ebay auction.




btw, I haven't tried circles yet.

Put some marker on the edge and let it dry. Do a few strokes on your hone and see what is being removed. You may have to alter your x stroke and the angle of approach to hit the edge from heel to point. The circles Lynn suggests will help create a symbiotic relationship between the spine and the edge. Here is a video with Lynn demonstrating the technique.

You have not set the proper bevel yet.
in another words think about this.
At the moment you have Japanese style blade(this is example ok)
your blade will act as you describe until you hone not enough honed side of the blade and get "v"shape.
hope this helps.

Before you go crazy trying to reset the bevel, have you also tried just shaving with the blade and see how it performs? I know this sounds obvious, but sometimes when I'm honing, I have a difficult time getting hairs to "pop" off my hand or arm, even when I know for sure that the razor is completely sharp and shave ready, and it turns out the problem is the angle that I'm holding the razor or the length of hair that's left on my arm or something else that has nothing to do with the razor. Just try lathering up and shaving with the blade, using both sides, and see if your original judgment about the blade is correct.

I know there have been lots of comments here about a rolled edge or burred edge, but mechanically, I just don't see how it would be possible for the razor to cut like a champion when one side is facing up and then be completely dull when the other side is facing up. At the very most, it sounds like your bevel might be somewhat assymetrical, and that may not be something that's worth correcting if you are getting good shaves from the edge you have.

Just my two cents, anyway.