Thread: My razors won't get sharp...

I would compare looking at the edge through at least 10X magnification to looking out the windshield while you're driving. If you don't do it, you can't tell where you are and plan where you want to go. I don't trust my honing to tests or to feel. I have to see what I've got and that tells me what to do about it. If you get to the point where your bevel and edge look good under 10X, it's hard to go wrong. It can still be done, of course, but it's more difficult.

Are you wanting to shave with it or do cheap parlor tricks? If you wish to shave with it I would go from the 8k to a 12k and strop the bejesus out of it, 100 laps each linen then leather and go shave. You can get a good edge from the Norton 8k, but that takes a little experience.

If I missed it above, forgive. But, what are you using after the hones... diamond on felt, for example?

I've read over this thread several times and am becoming more and more suspicious that the original poster is using a jig to hold the razor and control the bevel angle. I am also strongly suspicious that this jig is designed for sharpening knives and so holding the razor spine substantially above the hone.

I could of course be completely wrong, but if I'm not then the sharpening angle is going to be completely wrong and until he corrects it he's never going to get a shaving edge no matter what he does.

My guess is that the OP is not using an x pattern. There are lots of other options too, like simply not having enough experience. The difference between good honing and okay honing, is the strop. :-)

I'm with Mick Russell. I think a knife jig may be being used by the OP. I had no problem honing my own razors once I read the info on the subject in the Wiki. Prior to that I was the typical 'knife guy' these blokes refer too. Mind you, prior to that I was in my early twenties and totally uneducated regarding razors and honing. When I finally got back into these things (In my 30's) and found info on the 'net, I was able to make progress. Once I found this site, I was able to become proficient enough to maintain my own razors to a level that is more than satisfactory for myself, and has also aided a few friends with their razors as well. I'm no guru honing expert, but I don't need to be.
My advice...Honing razors is easy enough if you take the time to learn the theory in the wiki first. The hardest thing will be relinquishing the pressure. When you think it is light, make it even lighter.


Mick

I took "built-in" to mean that the blade rests on the spine during honing, thus ensuring the proper angle. I don't read that to mean he's using a jig. The "jig" is the shape of the razor versus a knife. Am I taking crazy pills?

Originally Posted by Jimbo7

I took "built-in" to mean that the blade rests on the spine during honing, thus ensuring the proper angle. I don't read that to mean he's using a jig. The "jig" is the shape of the razor versus a knife. Am I taking crazy pills?

Perhaps, but that could be a seperate issue.

While looking around for some place to buy hones locally I came across a number of knife shaprening contraptions with replaceable stones and a frame/clamp that holds the blade to provide a constant honing angle. I found similar "jigs" that are used on bench stones as well. I took the OP's reference to a "jig" to refer to one of these. The exact wording being

Angle can't be a problem, since the jig is "built in."

. Of course I could be completely wrong, but that's how I read it.

Alright, well the multi-quote button doesn't seem to be working for me right now. I'll try to address everyone's input (which I appreciate, by the way; thanks.)

@Larry: I'm using a bare horsehide strop. That's all.

Originally Posted by MickRussell

I've read over this thread several times and am becoming more and more suspicious that the original poster is using a jig to hold the razor and control the bevel angle. I am also strongly suspicious that this jig is designed for sharpening knives and so holding the razor spine substantially above the hone.

Not at all. When I said "built in jig," I just meant that you lay the razor down on the hone, and the spine and bevel sets the angle for you. The "angle jig" is "built in."

@AFDavis11: The X-Pattern is where you set the blade on the hone and during the pass, pull the razor across the width of the stone, correct? I am doing that.

I'll whip out my microscope and have a look at what's going on under the hood. Thanks.

Excellent, and yes, you have that correct. I would take a look with the microscope. Hyper-sharpness is more about practice and learning to repeat a perfect stroke more than anything else. First, add more finishing strokes. Then, add more bevel work and go back to more finishing. Next, check the geometry and make sure that your getting allllllll the way to the edge. Finally, make sure the scales are extended perfectly to ensure back pressure when honing and that your pinky is curved under the scales when you complete a stroke.

If the scales are positioned too far forward (blade closing) the weight of the scales ADD to the pressure against the edge when honing. A big, easy thing to overlook. Push the scales back (blade more open) so that the torque on the edge is less. This will help ensure less pressure is applied when honing.

Don't forget to strop and experiment a little after all that. Scary sharp blades are works of art, not science.