Need honing Help!

I purchased a Dorvo blade a few months back, but it has lost its edge (pulls when I shave instead of cutting). I purchased several hones to try and get the edge back up where it needs to be, but I just can't seem to get a good edge on it.

Hones:
Norton 4000/8000 grit block
Naniwa Super Stone 12000

I ran it across the Naniwa to try and just touch up the blade but that didn't seem to help much. So I ran it through the 4k, 8k, then the 12k and while the edge improved it's still not shaveable.

I really like the shave I get with the straight, but I just can't seem to get the blade back up to a shave ready status, and I don't want to have to send it out for sharpning every month in order to use it. I have ordered a Feather razor with replacement blades to try that out, but I'm not really sure how that will compare to an actual straight.

I am wondering if maybe I just have the angles wrong, and if so is there an easy way to make sure I get the correct angles? How do I figure out what I'm doing wrong while sharpening?

I do know that when I initially started trying to sharpen it using the Naniwa I was actually shaving the stone. I found out this was because the stone was not actually flat and have since corrected that problem with a flattening stone. Are there any guides or anything that would help me get the correct angle for a straight razor that I can use to get the Dorvo back into a shave ready state?

OK first, the spine is the angle, it lays flat on the hone...

Second Google "gssixgun honing, norton" and watch that video to get an idea first... There are other SR vids too including some from Lynn to watch but I would advise at least two or three then start again...

If you were literally "shaving the stone", that has to be a result of not keeping the blade flat on the stone. As gssixgun pointed out, the spine creates the proper angle by laying flat on the stone. If you tried to "adjust" that angle, that is the source of your problem.

Thanks guys, ya I was trying to keep the spine off the block, so I most likely did have the wrong angle. I'll try it again with the new info.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hostage67

Thanks guys, ya I was trying to keep the spine off the block, so I most likely did have the wrong angle. I'll try it again with the new info.

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If you want to keep the spine off the hone as some do
the classic solution is one layer of tape.

Since you did lift the spine the bevel is in trouble
but we do not know by how much.

Stick with your 4k/8k hone for now and lookup
the magic marker test. the videos by gssixgun are
good. Also review the pyramid method... as by the
numbers methods go it is a good one. Depending
on the trouble with the bevel you may have to
work through the pyramid a couple times.

Also make sure the hones stay flat. A sheet
of coarse 3M wet/dry paper is one trick to keep
the hones flat.

One hint... do not force it... it may take a number
of tries but if you use pressure and force you will
compound the issues.

the Norton 4k/8k is a good hone...
the 12k is gravy..

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, they definately helped. I was able to get my razor shaveable, still not as good as when it was professionally honed, but functional. That being said, my Feather also arrived and I gave it a run today. Oh my goodness, what a difference. Shaving with the incredibly sharp feather was significantly better. Much faster, easier shave, and no honing required is a definate bonus. Even getting the harder places (like under the nose and on the chin) was a breeze with such a sharp blade. The feather cut so well I couldn't even feel it cutting, it would just glide across my face.

So I think I will be replacing my regular straight with the feather from now on. I just can't get past the difference in how easily it cuts the hair lol.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hostage67

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, they definately helped. I was able to get my razor shaveable, still not as good as when it was professionally honed, but functional. That being said, my Feather also arrived and I gave it a run today. Oh my goodness, what a difference. Shaving with the incredibly sharp feather was significantly better. Much faster, easier shave, and no honing required is a definate bonus. Even getting the harder places (like under the nose and on the chin) was a breeze with such a sharp blade. The feather cut so well I couldn't even feel it cutting, it would just glide across my face.

So I think I will be replacing my regular straight with the feather from now on. I just can't get past the difference in how easily it cuts the hair lol.

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You will be back... ;) I have found that it is possible to hand hone
a razor to an edge that for me is nicer and smoother
than a Feather blade. It does take time and practice....

I love my Feather -- Some days it reminds my that
I still have a lot to learn, some days it rewards me
because I got this one honed and stropped better
than the Feather. When I get an edge just the
way I like it and no one is home I let myself hoot
and holler with pleasure.

That reminds me -- I should rinse the dust off
and see where I am.

Enjoy your feather... it is a darn fine solution for
wiping whiskers from a man's face.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

OK first, the spine is the angle, it lays flat on the hone...

Second Google "gssixgun honing, norton" and watch that video to get an idea first... There are other SR vids too including some from Lynn to watch but I would advise at least two or three then start again...

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Great videos, gssixgun!