Taking out nicks...

I recently scored a Red Injun #301 from eBay (here is the link... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=220050192402) in very good condition save a couple of small nicks close to the tip of the blade. I have 2 Norton combination hones (220/1000 and 4000/8000) and am wondering how coarse that I will need to go to get out the nicks. They are about a millimeter deep (at the VERY most). I don't want to take off any more of the blade that is absolutely necessary. Other than the nicks, the blade is in a amazing shape. It can pass the thumb test and the HHT 3 or 4 times out of 10. Another great things about this razor is that from looking at hone wear, this thing has only seen a hone 1 or 2 times...EVER!!!

Thanks in advance for any advise you can give.

- Mike

I'd tape the spine, come to the point of ALMOST removing the nick with the 220, completely remove it with the 1000 and then get going with the regular 4k/8k honing.

Mike,

I'd vote for taping the spine with electrical tape and starting with the 1000-grit stone. Use some pressure.

As long as you protect the spine, you're going to take off the same amount of metal to get rid of those nicks, regardless of the grit you use. The only real difference will be time.

If it were me, I'd probably try the 1000 for a bit, and if that looked like it was going to take a while, I'd use the 220. I'm less shy about using the coarser stuff than some of the other guys.

When I almost have the nick out, I switch to 1000 again and start easing up on the pressure.

Keep applying that tape--you'll probably wear through it a few times.

Good luck,
Josh

Nice, Ilija. You just beat me to it. :)

Josh

I'm lazy by nature so I always look for the easiest practical solution :nj

I would tape the spine with electrical tape and start with the 4K for 50 laps. Then check the edge. If the nick is not appreciably reduced then go to the 1000 for 50 laps and check again. Continue with the 1000 grit, checking every 25-50 laps.
I have found that the most effective 1000 grit is wet/dry sandpaper. It is also very inexpensive.

I NEVER! use the 220-320-400-500 grit anymore. It simply tears up the edge far to much.

Hope this helps,:)

I firmly believe you should use the highest grit you can get away with so I would start with the 4K and use circular honing. I've taken out chips at that depth on the 4K so its not that big a deal you just have to use some elbow grease. If it seems like too much time then switch to the 1K. I would never go lower than that.

Thanks guys!!! :tu

Sorry it took so long to respond...but you know...the holidays...kids...all that...

I will try as high a grit as I can to get it into prime shape.

- Mike