Finally set the bevel...

Got a PIF Double Duck Satinedge that had a small frown and deep patina. Got it shined up a bit and went to work on the frown. Used Undream's method of a 45 degree angle and scraping it against some wet - dry sandpaper. Did that for most of the frown and then went to work on setting the bevel. I don't have stones so it was only the lapping film for me. I used 3 layers of tape, then two, then one on 12 micron film. Gave it a preliminary test.... nope. Taped it back up and tried again. I still had multiple bevels. After two tries with this method, I went to the 1000 grit wet - dry sand paper. Three layers of tape until the marker test came out well, then two and repeat marker test, then one repeat marker test. Did some more circles, heel forward laps, x strokes and straight laps and I was able to cut the hair at skin level. Went on to the film again. The marker test showed I was still (barely) wearing the top of the bevel and not the whole thing.

So, I cut a new piece of film and that did the trick. It felt better, I could feel it cutting. Did a bit of work still, but it is now popping hairs. After 1.5+ hours on it tonight, it was time to hang it up and put the little ones to bed. Later I will finish the honing along with the Case temperite that has been waiting for honing as well.

Unorthodox, and stones are WAY better and faster (at least for bevels), but got it done on the cheap!

that sounds like my experience removing the frown on my first razor. Lots and lots and lots of work on wet-or-dry sandpaper.

Once you understand that there's no shortcut -- that you _must_ expose new metal at the deepest part of the frown, and remove as much metal from the rest of the blade as is necessary to achieve that -- it switches from "scary" to "tedious".

I still enjoy that razor. I'm sure yours will work out OK.

. Charles