Thread: help with honing damaged edge

Hi... I've posted this razor in beginner and workshop forum but I need some help to take it to the next level. I forged and ground this myself (first time doing one!) and have been able to get it shave arm hair very easily and it shaves my face and neck okay... very difficult in the mustache and chin. It was hollow ground but started to lose some of the hollowness when setting the bevel.

I set the bevel with coarse oil stone, going to fine oil stone then to 800 water stone, 900, then 4K/8K.

I can visibly see some unevenness along the edge so I guess I'm not confident that I did everything right at the coarser grits... so all of the above aside... if you have a razor capable of shaving, but have a visibly damaged edge, what is the best course of action???

Here are the pics... no attempts at aesthetics here... just trying to get a shaver. The antler is temporary....

I should clarify.... when I say 'damaged edge', I'm referring to uneven wear along the edge. When I first put the edge on I must have been using uneven pressure because the middle of the edge sort of eroded making the edge uneven... and I can also see little imperfections here and there along the edge. I'm sure I'm not explaining this well!

from the wear pattern, it looks like your hollow grind did a couple of things.

1. Doesn't look like it is uniform across the length of the spine. This is critical because the spine is what guides a razor on a hone. If the grind isn't very straight, you'll get an uneven wear pattern.

2. The depth on the grind seems to get shallower as you move out to the point... actually at the point it looks like there is virtually no hollow, creating much more wear.

OR... the uneven pattern could be because of excessive pressure throughout the entire honing process over many honing attempts (but for this I'd say there would have been LOTS of pressure, and lots of honing... or a quick attempt to hone on a grinder )

I'm not sure if I'm getting at your question, but as I understand it.. this is what I think I'm seeing.

hi... yes... that is what initially caused what you see. There was uneven grinding which caused some initial problems. But then I used a coarse stone to basically 'grind' the spine so that it is even with the edge. I believe that now it is.

Basically... I just would like some tips on how to approach this like I was simply fixing an older, abused razor edge. Is it simply just going to a coarse stone and back down? Or should I re-grind??

Originally Posted by ScottARoush

hi... yes... that is what initially caused what you see. There was uneven grinding which caused some initial problems. But then I used a coarse stone to basically 'grind' the spine so that it is even with the edge. I believe that now it is.

Basically... I just would like some tips on how to approach this like I was simply fixing an older, abused razor edge. Is it simply just going to a coarse stone and back down? Or should I re-grind??

Ok, I have something that I think may help... give me a bit to put my hands on it and I'll post it. IMHO, as long as there is variation in the grind, you'll see variation in the bevel. That said, as long as you meet at a good consistent angle ensuring that the entire bevel is set, you'll be able to get a useable edge (without regards to cosmetics as you said). If you want the edge and the cosmetics though, it may need a regrind.

If I were just trying to hone it, I'd start on about a 1k grit stone with medium pressure circles followed by x-strokes until the bevel is set entirely. Then after that, I'd move up in grits through at least 8k, making sure that the edge shaves hair across the entire length as I go... then shave test and adjust on the high grit stones until I'm pleased.

Have you got a smaller grinding wheel to make your razor a bit more hollow? That's close to a full wedge and they are a bugger to hone. I've only made a couple straights, but something I did when grinding the hollow was to take a fat sharpie and use it a lot to show highs and lows along with a straight edge. IMO, the final grinding of the hollow is the hardest and most detailed part of making a straight.

thanks folks... no... I don't have a smaller wheel yet. But I may have to get one it looks like. Although... I do have the 2" contact wheel on my platen attachment. That may be too small.

The flattening of the end of the blade, as you mention was definitely due to an uneven grind... and I flattened it by trying to set the edge to the spine. So I'm hoping it is the case where all I have to do is go back through the process that Del1r1um mentioned. To be honest... I haven't used those techniques yet.. as far as the 'pressure circles'. I will have to do some research on that!

For my three razors I used a Craftsman wet grinder from sears...no worries about heat ruining the heat treat or temper, but not near as fast as what you guys are used to with your grinders.

Originally Posted by ScottARoush

To be honest... I haven't used those techniques yet.. as far as the 'pressure circles'. I will have to do some research on that!

Just think of this as putting the razor on the stone (contacting the hone on the spine and edge) and making small circles for about 30 second per side with some moderate, but even pressure down on the stone. After that, look at some x strokes (honing wiki is very useful here)

Also, a 2" wheel is probably not "too hollow" here... especially since your razor is so small (around 4/8 if I remember correctly). It does depend on your comfort with hollow grinding though, I'd hate to see you burn through it.

Good luck, keep us posted on how it goes.