Thread: Can't get this razor sharp!

Hello sirs!

Been trying to hone my first razor for Larry at whippeddog.com, and have had a little trouble so far. The razor came to me pretty dull. I have Naniwa 1k, 5k, 8k, and 12k Super Stones. I am trying Lynn’s circle method but can’t seem to get the razor to cut any hairs after the 5k. I have repeated the 1k and 5k parts several times and it still will not cut. When I run the edge across my thumbnail, it feels rough. The bevel is uneven and it appears that the edge is slightly curved in some places. I also have a DMT 325 if that is of any use here.
Do you guys have any suggestions?

Thanks!

kill the edge and begin at the 1k and make sure the bevel is set properly...don't even bother advancing until the bevel is set proper or you wont get the results your looking for hope it helps a bit

Can you post a pic? Those sight unseen razors often have major honewear and other issues that can affect honeability....

Is this your first time at honing? If it is, it is probably a pressure issue ( use less) if is not, I would try one layer of tape or two if the first doesn't do it. That would be my inexperience assessment without looking or feeling the blade! Double O

Ok here are some pictures of what's going on right now. I hope they are of some use (cell phone pics).



This is my first time honing, so I'd appreciate any ideas!

Try a minimum of two layers of electrical tape on the spine and see if it helps. The spine is showing some significant honewear.

When you're first setting the bevel, hold the blade as in your photos, with a bare light bulb over your head. Slowly rotate the blade away from you, and watch the reflection off the edge. You should see ONE flash, as the bevel reflects the light, then no others as you turn the blade further away from you. If you see any very slight line of reflection, right at the edge, at any time after you see the bevel flash, you aren't done setting the bevel yet.

It will be tiny, and if you're not sure you saw anything, you probably did. What you're likely to see is only the very tiniest bright line, irregularly along the edge, briefly, so watch carefully. You have to continue to hone the bevel until that line is gone.

It looks like you're honing in the center more on one side than the other--I suspect the blade has a bit of a wave in it, OR you're not paying attention. Ideally, the bevel should be the same size on both sides.

I'd like to kind of comment about using the reflection test for bevel setting. I think that not only does there need to be 'one flash' but the bevel has to be fully cut into the steel and have a definitive change from bevel to the rest of the razor via a noticeable line. I hope i'm explaining that properly. It might not be perfectly straight based on honeware/warpage of the blade but you'll still be able to see it clearly.

When first learning how to set a bevel a jewelers loupe is a huge help as well.

A few things.
If this is your first time honing you can expect set back, for a while.
What was the first stone you used in your progression?

You say the razor was dull when you got it, did it no shave at all?
A lot of pulling?

Thanks for the feedback.

The stone I started with was the Naniwa 1k. I also have the DMT 325, but would it ever be a good idea to use a razor on that?

The razor will actually not shave at all. Not really pulling, but simply gliding over the hairs with no resistance.

Thanks!