Thread: 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.

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.