Beginning to hone question

Hello Gents!

I'm new to both straight razor shaving as well as honing. I keep the Dovo which I shave with sharp thanks to SRD's honing service, and have a bunch of $5/$10 blades I've picked up at antique stores in order to practice honing on my own. I've picked up a Norton combo set from SRD, with the 220/1k stone, the 4k/8k stone, and the flattening stone for lapping. I've lapped all 4 grits following the incredibly helpful videos from gssixgun, Lynn, and others. Now I've started trying to set a bevel on the 1k with the Manhattan Cutlery Co. razor I picked up for $10 and I can't seem to get it to the point of shaving any hair off my arm at all. I know this is a common tale among beginners but any advice you have would be most appreciated. I've watched Lynn's 4k/8k video as well as the one where gssixgun teaches someone how to hone.

So far I've tried:
--Keeping my elbow nicely lined up
--one handed honing
--two handed honing
--the 20 circle method, plus another 20 on the other side, then the 10-20 X-strokes that Lynn uses in his honing video (albeit on the 4k norton)
--The pyramid method
--more pressure
--less pressure
--practically no pressure.

I'm really committed to learning to hone, but I've run out of ideas of what to try next. I will note that I have not been using e-tape. I've attached 2 photos of the blade as it stands, as best as I could photograph. If there happens to be any skilled members of SRP in the NYC area who are up for teaching, I'd love to set something up.

Best,

--Jim

I would definitely throw a couple of layers of tape on that blade. It has a lot of honewear and the tape will increase the angle a bit. That will get you closer to the edge, and make the edge stronger.

I'd also put a bit of magic marker on the edge, then do a honing stroke and see where the marker is coming off. You need it to come off the blade at the very edge, and all the way from heel to toe.

I think that razor might be able to take an edge but I'm not sure it will ever be a great shaver. Looks quite worn.

I'm just over the GWB in new Jersey. I'd be happy to meet up if you want.

Michael

Thanks for the tip! I'll give both the tape and the magic marker a try. I'm willing to deal with this never being a great shaver, but I'd at least like to get it mowing hair off the 1k if possible.

I may take you up on the meet up as things progress!

The Dovo Glen taught me to hone takes an edge easily. I would not have cared to learn on some tougher vintage blade, that's for sure. I will say that meeting someone in person you will learn more in a few short hours than days or even weeks spent here. Good luck!

The arm hair test can be pretty subjective, and I've never used it as an indicator of anything. Some do with success. I would agree on the suggestion to use at least two layers of tape. Then evaluate the bevel visually under good lighting, preferably with a 10X loupe. You should be able to see with that setup whether the bevel is complete. I am much more comfortable with this way of evaluating bevels because my arm hair tests have been so variable.

That razor doesn't appear to be honed at all. This might be hard to believe but from a few good pictures I can often tell what the problem is. If those pics are post honing, you've got some serious geometry issues going on. I go to tape also.

I'm of the minority opinion about being able to shave off of 1k, but still that bevel looks untouched by anything with a grit higher than silk.

I can assure you it's seen everything from the 220 to get a tiny chip out, all the way to the 8k. I restarted with the 1k before I took the pictures though, after reading that I should be able to mow (as opposed to pop) some arm hair after spending some time on the 1k. Tape is up next. I'll try using a bit more pressure as well.

Wow! Do a marker test after some tape and take some post-op pics. If you tilt the bevel so it faces the camera, at 90 degrees, it would be easier to evaluate. You need to see physical action in the bevel. Still the bevel is way screwed.