Originally Posted by randydance062449
A 4/8 blade can be tough to hone, only a 3/8 is harder. Keeping the pressure balance even is the difficulty.
What is the name on your razor? Let us know.
If it is a Landers, Fray and Clark then that is one hard tempered steel razor!
You have been working on the razor for several weeks? Ok, we have done and heard that before. You most likely are now over honed. Overhoned means the edge is to thin. Thus it is weak. When an edge is weak it bends, curls or chips. We refer to this as a wire edge. Other professions call it a burr.
So...
1. Feel the edge of your blade with the pad of your thumb, both sides of the blade. Notice if it feels different at any spot. Remember that spot and how it feels in general.
2. Now perform the thumbnail test. You will probably feel an uneven "draw". remeber any place where the edge catches or skips.
3. Perform 10 back honing strokes on the 4000 grit Norton. This should wear off any wire edge. Then 5 normal strokes. Use 1-2 lbs of pressure.
4. Now do the thumb and thumbnail test again. The edge should feel more even with no catching. If it does not feel even then perform 5 more back honing strokes and 5 normal honing strokes.
5. Perform the two thumb tests again.
6. Now perform a sequence of the following pyramid
4000 hone/8000 hone
5/5 use 1-2 lbs of pressure
4/5 "" ""
3/5 "" ""
3/5 Light pressure
1/5 "
1/5 "
1/5 "
Then strop and shave test. Repeat if necessary starting at the 3/5 level.
Then let us know how it is going.
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Hope this helps,:)