Quote Originally Posted by vvti713 View Post
PS should i use 1 or 2 layers of tape?
Every time i hone a full wedge (or very near wedge) I start with two layers of tape, otherwise in most cases the bevel will be ridiculously wide and you'll waste lots of steel like that. However, seeing as it isn't that wide, you might get away with one layer. But I'd still say two. Make sure you tape it evenly, otherwise your bevel might turn out uneven. I found that this is more of an aesthetic problem than a practical one, however.

I'd also advise using 'rolling' strokes since the edge has a bit of a smile. This is when you do X-strokes (or just straight ones, depending on the width of your hone of course) where you tilt the blade toe-up when you start your stroke and during the stroke you 'roll' or tilt the razor so you end with heel-up. It's a kind of a slow-motion seesaw motion, if you will. You can mark the edge with a marker to check if your stroke is right and the edge touches the hone evenly. This stroke REQUIRES that the spine is in constant contact with the hone, this is the tricky bit.

For the rest, I'll second what Glen said. Don't use too much pressure and be sure to check the bevel much more regularly when using low grit hones. I go on to actually advise doing this for the entire honing process, since the steel is less hard than most 'younger' steel; check what you're doing at much more regular intervals than with more modern (i.e. harder) razors. Really limit the amount of strokes, this is where I fudged up BIG TIME the first couple of times and I still have to remind myself every now and then to not get carried away. And check, check, check. You don't want to overhone (depending on your hones of course). It's a waste of steel, edge and time.

The last bit is also a general advice really, but applies even more to your razor since it is less hard and already quite worn down. Happy honing, bro.