Extremely frustrated, could use some teaching...Anyone in Philly?

I know I haven't been around here for a bit, but I have been actively honing and honing.

I have an unstamped razor that I made scales for (my first attempt at them) and I am trying to hone it (again, my first try at honing). I began this project months ago and I am no closer to having a usable razor. I have a Norton 4/8 and I have successfully used it to refresh other razors. But, no matter how long I spend doing circles and following all the information from the Norton Challenge, I can't get set a bevel to save my life. Seriously, over the past 3 months I have made zero progress on this razor. What could I possibly be doing wrong?

I'm really frustrated by this.

I wonder, are there any Philly area honers who might be willing to teach me in person? It would be helpful to me if there was anyone out there, who lives near me, who would be willing to watch me hone and tell me what I'm doing wrong, and show me to to do it. I've watched a ton of videos and to my eye I'm replicating what I see.

I'm also wondering if the razor is at fault...it doesn't appear warped, but maybe there's something going on I'm not aware of.

Any thoughts??

Do you have anything under 4k? I always set bevels on a 850 diamond plate or a 1k King stone. If the razor seriously needs a new bevel, I'm not sure a 4k will do it.

have you flatten your stone ?

You say it's an unstamped razor? What do you know about it? Is it a quality piece? That may be your problem right there. You got photos?

Key elements already stated here are:

1. Confirm the quality of that blade before honing any further.

2. The 4K is not the first choice for bevel setting, but it will do the job given ~2-4 times the strokes as a 1k stone.

3. Try taping the spine before going to the 8k for your finishing strokes then 60-80 strops on leather.

Of course this assumes that you have leveled your stones.

Good luck.

It is possible to establish a bevel with a 4K stone but likely takes 4 times as many strokes as with a 1K. If you're not really good yet at honing, many of those strokes may not really be productive. I believe the reason this is taking so long for you is that the less than ideal strokes are taking you back a step as you attempt to make progress. Get a 1K stone. You'll find your strokes with it are more effective and your mistakes will be more obvious. Obvious mistakes will help you avoid them in the future. Those of us who have learned to hone have done it by making all the mistakes and learning from them.

I've posted pics of the razor before but I can't seem to find the posts...it has a "45" stamped onto the tang.

I do flatten the stones with a DMT325.

I'll go the 1k route, though I don't know when I'll be able to get one. I'll have to scour the classifieds or ebay until I can find a cheap one.

U2 if your in philadelphia would be happy to meet up and help you out. Feel free to pm me.

do the marker test color the edge of your razor to see if your honing the whole bevel

Get some 1000-grit and 2000-grit wet-or-dry sandpaper at an auto parts store -- about $1 per sheet.

Cut them into 3"-wide strips, and put them on a flat surface -- glass or thick plastic.

With some water, the 1000-grit paper will set bevels very nicely. The 2000-grit paper will get the edge ready for the 4K stone.

Charles

PS -- I suspect that the number of strokes goes as the square of the grit. So one stroke on a 1K hone is worth 16 strokes on a 4K hone.

There is one thing not mentioned so far.......
a "frown" shape ( profile ) on the edge. If that's the case then you can hone it for a month of Sundays and get nowhere. Eliminate that possibility first. That is always one of the first things I check for, and frequently find, with vintage razors.

If money is a problem right now, go to a Home Depot and pick up one of the $5 Norton oil stones. I think the fine side is between 400 and 600 grit and would get you by until a proper bevel setter could be purchased. Just be careful with it because it can take a lot of steel off pretty quickly.

+100

Been there, done that. ALWAYS check that first!! Like Randy said you can waste hours on a razor with a frown.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by randydance062449

There is one thing not mentioned so far.......
a "frown" shape ( profile ) on the edge. If that's the case then you can hone it for a month of Sundays and get nowhere. Eliminate that possibility first. That is always one of the first things I check for, and frequently find, with vintage razors.

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As an offer you could mail the razor to me, I can evaluate it, and simply tell you what is wrong. If it doesn't take a regrind I could also hone it for you.

I don't expect to go to Philly any time soon, but usually go twice a year.

So, you have some options.


I think you should get another razor and try that.