Thread: Microtome Honing Help

Found this beast of a microtome today and am wanting to hone it. I seem to remember a thread that gave tips on honing a microtome for shaving, but I can't seem to find it. If anyone has any tips or can give me a link to the thread I would be grateful. It is 8/8 with a 4" blade length. Here is a pic:

I have done quite a few of these now and made them into what I call "Microsoris"

Here is what I have found with honing them

1. They get very very very sharp
2. They can get very harsh also because of the geometry of the edge, they were not ever designed to shave they were designed to cut tissue

You have to use tape to create a slight bevel on the backside (I use 1 layer) this allows for the smooth to be added back into the honing.. I just tape the spine as normal razor and then use a Kamisori honing technique and I get good results..
You have to really back off on pressure when shaving much like a Japanese Kamisori, barely glide the edge over the skin, basically wipe away the lather and the hair will come with it..

Try it and see what you think and if you come up with a different routine that feels good on the face please let me know

Here is my experience with that animal ..... http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...Puma+Microtome

Got the beast honed up last night. Started by taping it with three layers on the flat side and one on the hollow side. Did both back and forth x strokes and some 10:1 strokes. Started with the King 800 to set the bevel. Didn't take as long as I thought it did. Moved to the King 4000 once it was cutting arm hair daily well. Instead of using my 8k I tried something different and used a two sided barber hone. I did this to avoid some of the chippiness I seem to get with the King 8k. Worked well as a substitute. Finally I finished with around 100 light strokes on a translucent Arkie. The resulting shave this morning was fantastic. Although the blade was heavy and kind of unwieldy, I got a smooth two pass shave. I could probably push the edge a little further but I think I'll let it be for now. Thank you Glen and Jimmy for your help.

All I can say, is that I am duely impressed!!!

tinkersd