Thread: An expiriment with Sharpmaker rods in lieu of a proper hone.

(Also an experiment in really long thread titles!)

NOTE: I'm a veteran knife knut but a new razor fan so I defer to the experts' advice in all matters concerning razor care.

Just a newb chiming in but I used the rods from my Sharpmaker to bring a dull and chipped edge on my J.R. Torrey back to life. I started with the medium grit rod to work out the chips and flatten the edge out using the non-notched sides, being very careful not to use too much pressure. I made long, slow passes and lifted the razor edge-first at the end of each stroke. Once I was satisfied with my starting point, I made a tiny bit of paste with water and the compound from crocus cloth, brushed it on one flat of the fine rod and very carefully worked the razor on it using the same technique as the medium. With some patience, I worked up a 'mirror' edge without too much trouble. It then got a few strokes on some news print, in case I had misaligned the edge at any point, and tried it out with pretty good results. The razor first shaved a bit of wet (not lathered) arm hair without any grabbing so I gave it a go on both cheeks. It seemed to shave fairly easy but I'll definitely be honing and stropping it properly before putting it to regular use.
Might this be a good option in a pinch for a neglected or otherwise damaged razor instead of using a finer hone? Is there something I could have done wrong that might not be immediately apparent to a newbie? I do plan on buying a nice set of hones when the budget allows. I'm trying to buy my first home and every dollar counts at the moment but I'd also like to know if I'm just making more trouble for myself.
Thanks!

Originally Posted by BoneDaddy

(Also an experiment in really long thread titles!)

NOTE: I'm a veteran knife knut but a new razor fan so I defer to the experts' advice in all matters concerning razor care.

Just a newb chiming in but I used the rods from my Sharpmaker to bring a dull and chipped edge on my J.R. Torrey back to life. I started with the medium grit rod to work out the chips and flatten the edge out using the non-notched sides, being very careful not to use too much pressure. I made long, slow passes and lifted the razor edge-first at the end of each stroke. Once I was satisfied with my starting point, I made a tiny bit of paste with water and the compound from crocus cloth, brushed it on one flat of the fine rod and very carefully worked the razor on it using the same technique as the medium. With some patience, I worked up a 'mirror' edge without too much trouble. It then got a few strokes on some news print, in case I had misaligned the edge at any point, and tried it out with pretty good results. The razor first shaved a bit of wet (not lathered) arm hair without any grabbing so I gave it a go on both cheeks. It seemed to shave fairly easy but I'll definitely be honing and stropping it properly before putting it to regular use.
Might this be a good option in a pinch for a neglected or otherwise damaged razor instead of using a finer hone? Is there something I could have done wrong that might not be immediately apparent to a newbie? I do plan on buying a nice set of hones when the budget allows. I'm trying to buy my first home and every dollar counts at the moment but I'd also like to know if I'm just making more trouble for myself.
Thanks!

I don't have any experience, but I've heard it's not a good idea. Could be more of an issue if it's someone assuming the use is the same as a knife. Hopefully someone more experienced will comment as I find this interesting.

I've never used the rods so I can't speak from experience. I'm assuming you have magnification since you say you got the chips out ? Aside from the supposition, and I could be wrong, that the grit levels might not be appropriate to a razor, I would worry about being able to control pressure on such a narrow honing surface. When you get to the chin and neck you'll know more as far as the shave goes. In the meanwhile, good luck with it.

Originally Posted by Cove5440

I don't have any experience, but I've heard it's not a good idea. Could be more of an issue if it's someone assuming the use is the same as a knife. Hopefully someone more experienced will comment as I find this interesting.

Using the rod in the stand would probably be a bad idea. I set up a jig to hold mine flat and level, like a normal hone.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I've never used the rods so I can't speak from experience. I'm assuming you have magnification since you say you got the chips out ? Aside from the supposition, and I could be wrong, that the grit levels might not be appropriate to a razor, I would worry about being able to control pressure on such a narrow honing surface. When you get to the chin and neck you'll know more as far as the shave goes. In the meanwhile, good luck with it.

I used a jeweler's loop and couldn't discern any chips in the edge but that doesn't mean they're aren't smaller chips that I was unable to detect. I went into the project knowing that the grit of the fine rod would be too course for a proper shaving edge. I like to think that with the rods already well-used and the addition of the compound, the grit would be a bit finer. I was extremely careful not to apply too much pressure, barely any at all, as I've seen how easy it is to damage a fine edge with a bad stroke. I also would like to clarify that I don't mean to use this method as a replacement for regular honing but something I can do to repair edges while I'm waiting for a proper hone. Beyond the initial test, I won't be using the razor again until it's properly honed.

Sounds like you did good! I too have touched up a razor with fine Sharpmaker rods with pleasing results. The instructions that came with my older Sharpmaker even includes a section on how to use it for honing a razor.

Originally Posted by JeffR

Sounds like you did good! I too have touched up a razor with fine Sharpmaker rods with pleasing results. The instructions that came with my older Sharpmaker even includes a section on how to use it for honing a razor.

Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one! Did you end up using the razor after the Sharpmaker without additional honing or stropping? I've been chalking up the surprising results to the news print follow-up.

Originally Posted by BoneDaddy

Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one! Did you end up using the razor after the Sharpmaker without additional honing or stropping? I've been chalking up the surprising results to the news print follow-up.

I'm pretty sure I stropped first before shaving. You're probably right to attribute a lot of the shave quality to the news print stropping.

Originally Posted by JeffR

I'm pretty sure I stropped first before shaving. You're probably right to attribute a lot of the shave quality to the news print stropping.

I thought so and I'd still like to get a good honing in before I go for the whole-nine but it's looking like a marginal success. What do you use for your 'real' hone?

These are what you are talking about ???

The only "Problem" is making sure you don't frown the blade which is way more likely with "Rod" style systems, that can be a real pain to fix..
You can actually shave off of a 1k stone, we have been saying that for years, and recently quite a few of the newer guys put it to the test and learned it was true..The grit of the rods are probably pretty low compared to where most people take their edges for razors but it will do in a pinch..

Since I only hone my own razors my "real" hone is a hard Arkansas stone. Mind you, I've been doing this for a while, and in addition to using a feather-light touch for the final strokes on the stone I actually pay more attention to stropping on canvas then leather. To me the real "magic" in getting a razor to comfy-shave condition is in the stropping.

Gssixgun knows what he's talking about; for getting the ultimate edge on a razor the avid honers generally use much finer stones.