Thread: Heel and toe are sharp, cant get belly

Hey all, so I have a taylors witness 1000 that I have been doing some work on, new scales etc, now i am trying to get it sharp!

So It started with a pretty bad smile that I just couldn't get right and I was messing things up more as I tried to hone with a more complex stroke and amateur honing skills.

So, I breadknifed it =\ Its a straight edge now, but as I'm honing the bevel isn't the most even...

I did some work with 600 grit sandpaper but mostly on my norton 4000. I have the toe and the heel sharp to the touch off the 400 and I am pretty sure I can get them to shaving if I keep going. Now the problem is the belly, it just isnt getting there!

BUT When I do a sharpie test on the bevel each stroke is making good contact and taking off all the marker. So I dont know if I should keep going or just give up? As long as i'm taking metal off I'll get there eventually?

Also I'm not so sure what to make of this, as the side of the blade with the even bevel has been taking metal off the spine very unevenly. The side that the spine is wearing on evenly is not generating a uniform bevel, so I assume my blade is warped somehow?

If there is anyone that can help I think its here!

The profile of the spine was correct for a smile. You ground off the smile.

You have to keep honing until you either get the smile back, or grind the spine down to what it needs to be for a straight edge.

Either way, you have a lot of grinding to do.

Originally Posted by nalbonen4

So It started with a pretty bad smile that I just couldn't get right and I was messing things up more as I tried to hone with a more complex stroke and amateur honing skills.

smile is a feature not defect.

So, I breadknifed it =\ Its a straight edge now, but as I'm honing the bevel isn't the most even...

never breadknife there are other ways to fix problems on edges.
IMHO you could have asked here before any attempt to fix the blade, but on the bright side you will learn a bunch from this project.

Yeah this all started as a cheap ebay project so I wont bee too torn up if it doesnt work out.

I also really like the rhythmic sound and motion of honing, it is very relaxing. Maybe some day I'll get to shaving with it!

You breadknifed it, first mistake, I have yet to see anything that NEEDS to be breadknifed. Your honing stroke should match the outline/smile of the edge.

Its a good thing you find this relaxing, you have some work to do. Have fun!

Originally Posted by nalbonen4

Yeah this all started as a cheap ebay project so I wont bee too torn up if it doesnt work out.

I also really like the rhythmic sound and motion of honing, it is very relaxing. Maybe some day I'll get to shaving with it!

No worries.....
Use the magic marker trick include the spine
and take a look at what is going on.

On a large hone like a Norton you can
do circles and the rapid back and forth
"Japanese" stroke.

If you have a mild DMT that can be a
big help. This is one time where tape
on the spine can help or not. Tape
and do a magic marker test.... Remove the
tape and do another magic marker test.

It will take some repetition but it will come back.

You have a good learning experience ahead of you . You will be learning as you gain experience .

Best case scenario I end up with a serviceable razor that will mean quite a bit to me after all the work that I put into it.

Worst case scenario I will have developed a lot of muscle memory in terms of my honing strokes and techniques, and have a nice letter opener.

I do need a nice letter opener.....

Looks like I win either way!

I think i'm in luck! I spent some time today with some 600 grit sandpaper and regularly changing two layers of tape as they wore out. Now I have an edge that is pretty coarse and rough but it is grabbing all along its length and catching on a thumb nail test. I might try to find a 1000 grit norton at home depot or something or some paper to put on some glass. If I dont get to that I'll just spend more time on the 4k to get it smoother!

I think I'll have a shaver yet! It is a nice sheffield blade and I have heard good things about it so I think im back on track, just took time!

Looks like your persistence paid off - well done!