Thread: Tried to touch up a blade today and went backwards...

Can i ask? something just jumped out at me there. you said you used the TNT and TPT. How often did you use the TNT? as it was starting to get sharp? because if you did thats why the blade isn't getting better.. the TNT is only supposed to be used with bevel setting, not on further grit levels

Originally Posted by tekbow

Can i ask? something just jumped out at me there. you said you used the TNT and TPT. How often did you use the TNT? as it was starting to get sharp? because if you did thats why the blade isn't getting better.. the TNT is only supposed to be used with bevel setting, not on further grit levels

Yes, thanks. I only used the TNT a couple of times and only after I wasn't having any other success and was beginning to reach for whatever I could to try and understand what wasn't working.

Mjsorkin offered to have a chat about honing with me today. He very generously gave me over an hour of his time and really brought many things into better perspective (thanks Michael!).

Between that conversation and Ryan82's post this morning, I now realize that I probably went too far right from the start on a blade that needed much less to bring the edge back to shaving really well again. That, coupled with awkward first honing strokes and a number of newbie mistakes dulled the blade slightly, but quickly, rather than sharpened it. By the time I even got to the TNT, the razor was dulled.

Much thanks to all you guys for the info and help. It is all really useful and appreciated. Thanks to Michael again for taking so much time to explain and clarify things I've read about, but didn't fully understand. Because of this I have a better game plan going forward for bringing the razor back with the stones I have.

Much thanks for the honing offers as well, both Michael and Pinklather. I will take that offer if I am unable to get this back to shave ready. Then, at least, I'll have a properly honed blade again to start with. When it begins to degrade slightly, I'll know to start much more conservatively with my touch up and will hopefully have more success. For now, I will continue to practice and evaluate and attempt to bring the edge back into shape. As I said, I am tenacious and I will get this eventually.

Thanks for all the help! This forum and the people who inhabit it are just an invaluable resource. I'm really not sure I would enjoy the journey as much as I do without this site and community.

Perhaps even more importantly, all of you guys continue to demonstrate the kind of character, helpfulness, and kindness that really leaves the best of impressions about humankind in general. This is good, as I'd rather we not blow ourselves to kingdom come or something equally unwise--for all its challenges, I'm enjoying the heck out of it here (on planet earth)!

I am not a pro honer by any means at all, but I think maby getting a cheap vintage blade to try and work on might save the edge's on your good blades...good luck

Originally Posted by sleekandsmooth

I am not a pro honer by any means at all, but I think maby getting a cheap vintage blade to try and work on might save the edge's on your good blades...good luck

Yes...when I have some extra dollars I'm also going to look for something on fleabay or somewhere that I can practice with as well. It's just that I don't have any coarser grit stones yet to set a bevel.

I noticed you said you used electrical tape. If the person that honed your razor did not use electrical tape, you will be honing at the wrong angle, and need to set a new bevel to compensate. I don't know anything about you hones, but they sound as though they are a higher grit. You likely need to come down in grit to sort out the damage. I have a Norton 4/8, and this would be my starting point in this situation. Good Luck.

I enjoyed every bit of our conversation today. If it turns out that I was able to help in any way, I'll be glad.

Michael

Originally Posted by VictorM

I noticed you said you used electrical tape. If the person that honed your razor did not use electrical tape, you will be honing at the wrong angle, and need to set a new bevel to compensate.

Actually, the opposite holds true.

If the original honer (OH) used tape and the new owner (NO) doesn't, the NO would be polishing the sides of the bevel because the angle would be shallower than the first bevel. In this case the OH may or may not have used tape; regardless, if the NO uses tape the resulting angle will either be the same or steeper than the first bevel (technically called a double bevel). Either way, there is no unnecessary bevel resetting required.

Not trying to be rude, just trying to save time and unnecessary steel removal for you guys

Ryan82
You are absolutely right, I didn't think that out completely. If the OH did use tape and the NO did not, then there would be the need to re-bevel. Thanks for the correction.

I agree with Ryan. I have increased angles with tape. Then a few strokes on 8k and it was all good. Going the other way is harder.

Michael

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Actually, the opposite holds true.

If the original honer (OH) used tape and the new owner (NO) doesn't, the NO would be polishing the sides of the bevel because the angle would be shallower than the first bevel. In this case the OH may or may not have used tape; regardless, if the NO uses tape the resulting angle will either be the same or steeper than the first bevel (technically called a double bevel). Either way, there is no unnecessary bevel resetting required.

Not trying to be rude, just trying to save time and unnecessary steel removal for you guys

A BIG thank you on that! When I saw the first post on this I was disappointed that there would be nothing I could do.

@Michael - oh you most definitely helped a whole lot. Even if I do wind up having this blade honed again by a more experienced honer, I am much better prepared to have some success with my own honing because of our marathon chat today. And my understanding of the basic elements and focus of honing a razor increased dramatically. I am now looking forward to honing more and learning. I was a bit dispodent before we talked. Many thanks indeed!

I'll keep you all posted--especially when I achieve some success!