Getting nowhere

One of my blades needed toughing up, as it was starting to drag. As it has a scalloped back, I taped it, although looking at it, it has been honed in the past without. So I tried to touch it up on a Norton 8K and all it did was blunt it. Is this because of the tape? So I removed the tape and tried again with no success. So I tried going back to a 4K, and working through a pyramid, but it just seems to be getting worse, now I have a very attractive butter knife!!
Do I need to now go back and set a new bevel (not done this before) on a 4K. If so can I do this with tape on or should I redo it without.

How many layers of tape did you use, and are you new to honing? First attempts at honing can be interesting.

By adding a layer of tape you are increasing the angle, so if the razor was honed without tape you can use tape when touching it up, but you will create a micro bevel, the other way around doesn't work that well as the angel will be decreased and the edge won't have contact with the hone.

My guess is that your problem lyes in the technique, the best would probably be to send it out for honing, but if you want to go on and try fixing it by yourself I would say you should use one layer of tape, and work the 4K until it shaves arm hair easily before moving up to the 8K.

Are your hone properly lapped?

Taping is something you decide to do or not do, a preference thing. I tape all of mine even those with spine wear. From what you've described, I would recommend that you tape it until you've mastered honing, just for the sake of your razors and for your sake because getting uneven and over honed spines can cause a lot of heartache. Later decide if you will or won't. It sounds like you may need to reset the bevel because what ever is going on with the edge and bevel right now is probably inconsistent from honing both ways. Actually, I would recommend getting it honed by a pro for now and then go into honing a little at a time. If you decide to go ahead and hone it, it might be good to find a member in your area that could show you the ropes and help out. If you decide to go for it, try to show images of the edge, bevel and spine and there will be some honemeisters here that can give you some help. Good Luck!!

Regards,

Howard

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How many layers of tape did you use, and are you new to honing? First attempts at honing can be interesting

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One layer, and have only touched up one other razor, which went fine.

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Taping is something you decide to do or not do, a preference thing. I tape all of mine even those with spine wear. From what you've described, I would recommend that you tape it until you've mastered honing, just for the sake of your razors and for your sake because getting uneven and over honed spines can cause a lot of heartache. Later decide if you will or won't. It sounds like you may need to reset the bevel because what ever is going on with the edge and bevel right now is probably inconsistent from honing both ways. Actually, I would recommend getting it honed by a pro for now and then go into honing a little at a time. If you decide to go ahead and hone it, it might be good to find a member in your area that could show you the ropes and help out. If you decide to go for it, try to show images of the edge, bevel and spine and there will be some honemeisters here that can give you some help. Good Luck!!

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Thanks fo the advice. Looking at the edge, one side is fairly consistent, but the other is noticeably wider at the ends. Also when running that side on the stone, the spine feels rougher than on the other side.
Don't know if there is anyone in Calgary that has experience and is willing to show someone the ropes.

Success! As a number of people have posted, I walked away and left a lost cause yesterday, went back to it today with a clear mind and in less than half an hour achieved a reasonable edge (will try shaving with it tonight). Having watched some gssixgun and lynn Youtube videos again, I taped the spine and reset the bevel. I think my mistake yesterday was applying too much pressure. Thanks for all the advise, hopefully things will just get better!

Update-Shaved with it tonight and it was suprisingly smooth, not as good as the pro honed ones I have, but even with three passes there was no burn.

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Originally Posted by Urbane1

Success! As a number of people have posted, I walked away and left a lost cause yesterday, went back to it today with a clear mind and in less than half an hour achieved a reasonable edge (will try shaving with it tonight). Having watched some gssixgun and lynn Youtube videos again, I taped the spine and reset the bevel. I think my mistake yesterday was applying too much pressure. Thanks for all the advise, hopefully things will just get better!

Update-Shaved with it tonight and it was suprisingly smooth, not as good as the pro honed ones I have, but even with three passes there was no burn.

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Just remember, when touching up an edge (or using high grit finishers period) use basically zero-pressure, pretty much the weight of the blade only.

Congrats on your success :)