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

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...

Please take the advice of the more experienced folks over mine, but here is my experience as a fellow beginner. I have only honed 2 razors at this point, but I did get both to a shavable edge. Both were ebay specials and the blades were very dull. I dont have a 1k stone, so I set the bevels on the 4k side of my norton. I used the circle method with a fair amount of pressure...20 circles on each side. I kept doing these until I got an edge that would cut arm hair. After that all my strokes were much much lighter...just the weight of the blade..just enough to keep the edge on the stone and move the water line. I wonder if your scales forward of the edge are too much weight at higher grit?? I then used a mini pyramid with x stokes, stropped real well and shaved. Keep at it, watch Lynns videos and any others that help and you will get it.

Hey Chris,

I think you may be canting the blade the wrong way on your pulling stroke. I did a really quick picture in paint to try to show you what I mean

Also I can hear the edge of the blade hitting the hone if I am not mistaken. Not all the time but sometimes. This is a result of not flipping on the spine.
Regarding honing with 2 hands, not as much a problem I would think. I do it that way as I find it gives my more stability, but you need to only be stabilizing the blade and not putting pressure on it. I could probably do with learning to hone with one hand too though.

Also definitely do circles it will get you to your goal much quicker. Watch Lynn's videos on youtube, he knows what he is talking about. Also try to get his DVD.

Also I couldn't see in the video as your hands were kind of blocking the hone but are you actually doing a x stroke or just going straight? You need to be taking the toe of the blade almost from one corner of the hone to the other. Something helpful which I read was to imagine that there are dots along the edge of the blade and lines evenly spaced out on the hone and try to give each dot an equal amount of time on each line as you go through the stroke.

Also allow me to point you to a thread which I started a few days ago upon my first real success with honing my razors. The method I use may not be perfect, it may need improvement , but at the moment it gives me a shave ready razor. Maybe it could give you an idea.

LINK: http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...zen-steel.html

Remember this is just my opinion and I have not been doing this for long at all so take into account the advice of more experienced members.

Most importantly: DONT GIVE UP

Good Luck

Daniel