Grind Issue?

**gssixgun** · 06-03-2011, 06:26 AM

A pic might help, but even then it is all but impossible to tell what the cause of the uneveness is without the razor in hand...

With a pic of uneven wear many will think it was the razor or a twist, but it very well could also be a honing error...

**hi_bud_gl** · 06-03-2011, 12:20 PM

if you didn't have "v' edge (due to uneven honing ) i doubt you would be able to get a good shave off the blade.
it could be you have uneven spine wear but edge is in "v' shave. this is the most important factor.
I agree with Glen that there is a lot factors could play role. Uneven honing strokes etc.
with pics it will help to tell what is going on with the blade.
if grinding is a little off by honing you can fix it very easily .
I haven't seen the perfect blade yet.
they all will have some issues.
hope this helps.

**CVEG** · 06-03-2011, 01:20 PM

It was a brand new razor from straightrazordesigns, so I am doubtful that it's a honing error. I will try and get some pics up to show what I'm talking about. Thanks for the replies.

**ScottGoodman** · 06-03-2011, 02:21 PM

Rolling the edge is something we have all done, mostly when developing the muscle memory in the early stages of learning to strop...so don't sweat it. Honing new razors is something that can be a PITA, I don't know how Lynn does it day in and out like he does. I have seen more funky grinds & crooked spines in the last few months than I care too...it's like they were hidden away only to be discovered by someone who thought they could make a buck.

Once you post a picture I'm sure the guys can help you out as you have heard from two true genuine honemiesters...but don't fret about the razor. If Lynn felt that it was ok to leave his hands & thru his store, the razor is fine. There are many techniques used with honing razors & you may not have tried the one that Lynn used.

If you showed where you lived under your avatar, someone relatively close with honing experience would more than likely assist you with your honing endeavors as well...If you are near northeaster Texas/southeastern Oklahoma PM me & I'll help you out.

**Lynn** · 06-03-2011, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by CVEG

It was a brand new razor from straightrazordesigns, so I am doubtful that it's a honing error. I will try and get some pics up to show what I'm talking about. Thanks for the replies.

No, it's the razors fault!!!! No, it's the hones fault!!!! No, it's the waters fault!!! No, it's the fault of the lighting!!! No, I really would blame the humidity!!!

No, I'm not making fun, but this is pretty typical of people new to straight razors and honing if this is the case. First you need to consider that learning to use the straight razor takes a little time for most people. Jumping right to the hones on a new one is usually not necessary. I would bet that your pressure is not the same on the stone going in both directions and once you have uneven flattening, the honing only get's tougher. Can't really tell what you did to FIX the razor other than I know it's not a honing error. How did your surmise that it was a grind issue and not something else? The BQ's are really consistent for being flat on the hones. I'll be happy to look at it as well as re-hone it.

All the best,

Lynn

**hoglahoo** · 06-03-2011, 02:32 PM

maybe he could bring it to the get-together for a live, public troubleshooting

**zib** · 06-03-2011, 02:33 PM

Unless your an experienced straight shaver, I'd suspect the pulling/tugging is from using an incorrect angle. Nicks in your strop, also are an idication that your new to this. If you felt it was the blade, and not you, the worst thing you can do, is try to "fix" it yourself, unless you have experience doing so. Many vendors, will not take a blade back, once you try and hone it, which is fair...I think it's very nice of Lynn to offer to fix it for you...As well as the other members....

It's very common for new str8 user's to have these problems. 99.9% of the time, it's user error...

Dovo makes a fine blade. Here's a vid...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ACJrAI3SxM

**hi_bud_gl** · 06-03-2011, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by CVEG

I decided to buy some hones in order to touch up the blade. I actually managed to fix the blade because it shaved much better. However, I did have trouble keeping the blade flat on the hone on one side. The other side sits perfectly flat. I was able to get the whole blade to touch by doing an "X" stroke on that side, but I feel like the grinding of the razor by the manufacturer might have been a little off. Upon further inspection, it looks like the spine of the razor is not even on both sides. Any comments or advise would be welcome. Thanks!

OP says he did hone the blade?
had problem keeping the blade flat?
that could end up honing error?

**CVEG** · 06-03-2011, 03:22 PM

I guess "fix" wasn't the correct term to use. I was just trying to "touch up" the blade due to my incorrect stropping technique. I wasn't trying to fix what I thought was a problem with the blade not being flush on the hone. Obviously I'm very inexperienced in this, so I am assuming I am the problem here.

I used the pyramid method (starting at 10 strokes) on the Norton 4k/8k, and then used a Naniwa 12k (approximately 10 strokes). I just had to use an "X" stroke to get the whole blade to touch when I was bringing the blade toward me. The blade sits flush on the other side (pushing the blade way from me). I was using just enough pressure to keep the blade on the hone. I've watched just about every honing video that Glen has put out probably 3 or 4 times, and they have been a great help. Obviously it's very difficult/impossible to tell how much pressure he is using, but by the sound and feel of the razor I felt like I wasn't using too much. I felt like I was just using the weight of the razor, and maybe a touch more. After doing this the shave was great. I had a small nick on my neck that stopped bleeding with the cold water splash.

I noticed unevenness from the beginning (the first time I set the blade on the 4k), so I might not be holding the razor correctly on the hone. I'll take a look at it again tonight and see if I can change some things to make it work.

I really appreciate the offer for you to look at it Lynn, but I'd like to take some pictures first and post to see what you guys think. Again, thanks everyone for your replies.

*Edit - Started the Pyramid with 10 stroke not 15

**BigJim** · 06-03-2011, 03:55 PM

I'm no honing expert, but one thing hasn't been mentioned. Maybe it's taken for granted but...

Are you sure that your hone is lapped flat? Glen talks about it in his honing vids, Lynn in his, etc.
I'm not sure how you could have the blade lie flat one direction and not flat the other. There are only a few possibilities.
1) You didn't notice that the razor wasn't making full contact in either direction. You only noticed it in one. I had that experience once, but it had to do with the way I was holding the razor, NOT the stone itself.
2) Your stone isn't lapped flat so at one point, noticeable only from one direction, the blade isn't making full contact...but that includes #1 as well.
3) Your razor has a warped spine/grind problem, but it would have to be significant and only on one side. The odds of a razor that deformed are low to begin with. The odds of one making it out of the Dovo factory are slim to none. The odds of said hunchback being honed to satisfaction by a person with Lynn's experience and passing right along are astronomical mathematically speaking.

There's obviously something amiss here. I don't doubt your experience one bit. But maybe some pictures of what you're observing would help shed light on things.

Keep digging!

Peace,

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