Thread: I can't seem to get it sharp enough. I have a video of what I'm doing. Please help

So I bought a Dovo along with a few other items from Shavenation and although the razor came shave ready, it's not shave ready anymore. I tried stropping, but I'm guessing I messed up the edge because it couldn't cut my gfs hair even if I pulled it against the edge...

So I bought some norton 2 sided stones. 250/1k, 4k,8k. They came extremely rough, so I had to lap them. It took a seriously long time to lap them using 250 grit paper with a slab of granite.

I've watched whatever videos are available on youtube for honing a straight razor. Please watch what I'm doing and tell me what I'm doing wrong and what I should be doing instead. I really appreciate the help. Thanks.





Chris

Maybe try doing circles or x strokes and see if that helps...or the pyramid method. Look up Lynns or Glens videos on here..they helped me alot when I started.

I'd really try to master rolling the blade over on its spine. Lifting it the way you do would be fine if it was certain that the cutting edge left the stone before the spine, but you'd only have to lift it spine first a few times, and only slightly, and you'd be putting a bit of sideways pressure on the edge, maybe enough to roll or dull it.

And +1 to Catrentshaving's post - I find circles quicker and more consistent, and in general, if something isn't working, try something else.

(BTW I'm still a newb at honing, so take this with a pinch of FWIW.)

I would agree with Catrent, watch the videos that are available. They will help you a lot.

Some basic tips:
Don't move off the 1K until you can cut hairs easily.
Use some pressure on the 1K stone or you will be there forever.
Keep your stones wet during honing.

If all else fails, send it out to be honed. Don't ruin a razor because you aren't able to get it sharp enough.

Originally Posted by rmalak

I would agree with Catrent, watch the videos that are available. They will help you a lot.

Some basic tips:
Don't move off the 1K until you can cut hairs easily.
Use some pressure on the 1K stone or you will be there forever.
Keep your stones wet during honing.

If all else fails, send it out to be honed. Don't ruin a razor because you aren't able to get it sharp enough.

+1 here for sure. If you're just touching up a razor that is meant to be "shave ready" don't drop down to below your 8K.

1k is for bevel setting.

Now that you're on the 1k, don't move off it until you can cut hairs easily. (that's with razor against the skin not in the air) and don't be afraid to apply some pressure when bevel setting.

Keep at it, you'll get there in the end.

One thing I would point out pressure on the 1k is ok, but when the bevel is about set I would stop using pressure and go with light strokes. The light strokes will help smooth out the razor from the heavy pressure strokes. I always finish with light strokes. That goes for all stones and all grits. One other thing is if you get frustrated or whatever when honing stop and walk away for awhile. Let your hands and mind rest. I don't know how many times when I first started honing that I couldn't get a bevel set and would get mad and frustrated. Once I realized to walk away and relax I was able to get better edges once I came back to them.

What does your bevel look like? Have you tried the marker test to see what sort of contact your getting between blade and hone?
Grant

I've only watched the first three minutes so far, but my recommendations would be:

1. Learn to hone with one hand. Doing so will pay off in major benefits in speed and
accurate honing. Watch Lynn's videos and pay attention to how he holds his right
elbow up at or above the level of the stone while honing. Doing so will give you more
control over flatness on the stone than honing with two hands does. Also, you will
avoid slight pressure differences that, in my opinion, and I started with two hands,
are unavoidable and unnoticeable when using two hands.

2. You are rotating the blade toward the stone, not away from it. That sets you up for
inevitable mistakes, and those mistakes will be costly.

3. Don't lift the blade. At the end of the stroke, rotate the edge away from the stone while
keeping the spine on the stone.

4. At 1K, I would always use tape. Taping is an issue in itself. I always use it, have 50
razors, and not a one has a mark on the spine. If you don't care how your razors look
then tape is not an issue.

I think that if you start with those recommendations you'll find your progress goes more quickly.
I thought the switch to one hand honing was a pain, but one hour later I had it down and was
easily keeping the blade flat. Keeping the right elbow elevated at the level of the stone is the key.
That was uncomfortable for 15 minutes, but quickly became habitual and comfortable.

Good luck!

At 4:46 is when you made your mistake.

As far as what you're doing on the hone, I didn't see or hear anything that would cause a problem.

Never move past 1k until that razor is cutting effortlessly. It's just a matter of patience. And patience comes with practice. After you successfully set a couple bevels, and see the rewards of exercising that patience at 1k, it'll come more easily for you to spend the appropriate amount of time there. You need to understand and accept that everything you did after 4:46 was wasted effort. Your strokes are fine. Although I would take Ace's suggestions if I were you. And just to re-iterate: Don't move past 1k until the razor is cutting effortlessly. The better it's cutting hairs coming off 1k, the better your edge will be.

Good luck!

Have you checked if the spine/blade is straight and not slightly warped (wouldn't be the first Dovo that happens to)? You can compensate for that, but it's a more advanced technique...