Thread: Wedge honing question

The real key on the wedge honing is using the 45 degree angle.

I've been using Lynn's method of pryimid honing and have had very good results with my hollow ground blades. But the wedges are driving me crazy. Bevel setting is very uneven. I'm using a Norton 4000/8000 and a 12,000 finishing stone. I haven't even made it past the 4000 grit stone with the wedge (W&B). What is meant by the 45 degree angle? Flat like a X stroke or lifting the spine to 45 degrees? Thanks for your help.

The 45 degree is holding the razor at an attitude of 45 to the hone instead of 90 degrees. Not lifting the spine. If you have a smiling wedge you might need to use a rolling X as seen in the Wiki honing guide here. Use some marker and see if you are in contact with the stone from heel to point.

Wedges are notoriously tougher to hone than full hollows because there is just way more metal to cut through. If you are setting a bevel with a 4k it will be slow progress. Might be time to get the norton 220/1k combo.

Thanks Jimmy. You've been a big help to this noob. I run into one of your old posts a couple of weeks ago that really improved my shaves. Thanks.

Ya depending on the makeup of the wedge it can be a chore, a chore I happen to enjoy I use the rolling X at the 45deg (heal leading), stroking along in scything motion. 9 times out of 10 this will show grinds along the length of the edge.

The next chopper I get I'll see if I can make a video of it.

Also, don't worry about the bevel/spine wear being uneven. Just focus on getting the bevel set.

My personal favorite is rocking/rolling circles :-)

don't worry about the bevel/spine wear being uneven

O.K., I can get it shaving if I don't have to worry about keeping the bevel even. Thanks for the help.