Heel and toe hone up fine, problem spot in the middle

I've got a razor which I'm having difficulty honing. The heel and toe have taken a good bevel, but there is an inch or so in the middle which won't get to a decent sharpness (judging by AHT - TNT feels the same all along.)

There is no spine wear, and no smile or frown, on a full hollow 5/8 Shumate razor. The sides of the bevel area are the same width all along the blade, and the same width on both sides.

Using a magic marker, it seems to be making contact evenly all along the edge, and looking at the tape after peeling it off the spine, there is even tape-wear from heel to toe on both sides.

I'm using a King 1k (freshly lapped) to set the bevel, and I've tried circles and x-strokes.

Any idea what might be causing the problem, and suggestions for solving it?

You can try to "push" the edge in. Just place your finger on the blade just behind where the problem area is. Use ONLY the weight of your finger, don't actually press down. Do this for 5 or 6 laps on both sides of the blade to keep everything even as possible, then 5 or 6 x strokes and see if there is any change. If there is then continue until the bevel is set completely, if no change, try again and check with the TNT or TPT again; skip the hair test until you think the bevel is set, then try shaving arm hair, that and shaving your face are the only reliable hair tests.

If it were me I would go the my 600 dmt or maybe the 325. And take off enough to ensure contact with the hone along the entire edge. My thinking is I would just do it now and get it over with. YMMV.

Are you absolutely sure about the middle section? On some razors I get a very nice TNT but a not very special arm hair. I just keep going and it all works out in the end, mostly.

However, if that doesn't tickle your fancy then try some circles, sawing stokes, rolling strokes etc. also take a look at the bevel under magnification if you can. It might indicate any issues.

James

I'll try the pushing technique, that sounds promising. I don't have a lower grit stone to go to.

The difference between heel/toe and the middle is very noticeable - the middle only cuts arm hair at skin level, and then not all the time, the heel and toe pop hair above skin level on contact.

I've already spent about 4 hours on this one, over 2 sessions. I'll try again soon.

Thanks for the suggestions.

One other thing and I hesitate to mention it because I know it's probably a no-brainer, but have you lapped your hone recently?

Edit: sorry, just saw you have freshly lapped your king.

James

On some "tests" it seems that the ends of the blade always pass easier than the middle. I always chalked it up to using slightly different angles and pressure when testing near the ends.

I don't get hung up on tests too much any more (except the shave test, that is)

Basically what Jimbo said first;)

One last thought, then I'll shut up.

I don't really know much about the king hones, but I assume they are perhaps an inch or so thick? It could be worthwhile trying to hone with a sliding x stroke on the long edge of the hone, mimicking how you'd do it on a narrow hone. I've had some luck with that in the past.

James

King hones are very thirsty. I had one, I use a dmt 1200 now. No lapping, just break it in first with the side of a screwdriver.

Change something :)

If you are using Slurry stop, if not, then try some

Add a layer of tape, subtract a layer of tape

Try stropping the razor then going back to honing

Try going up one stone then back down (the Pyramid)

Reading your first post everything sounds correct, but there is something off, that you are not seeing, so change something.

If you Google "gssixgun Honing" you are going to find quite a few Vids, many of them I did specifically using a King 1k as the bevel setter for the reason that they are very inexpensive and usually available locally..
Honestly they are great hones but they are a very thirsty one, I would say soak that puppy overnight or for at least on hour before you start honing, when I was using it I left it and my Nortons soaking always :)


One very important piece of advice, Never hone on the same razor and the same stone for more than 1 hour, walk away, take a break change strategies...

There has to be a frown in there somewhere or maybe spine is crooked. I have a setup of lapping film on 1 inch x 6 inch granite that I use for a blade that has a crooked spine. You can get that area because only 1 inch of the blade is on the hone. But I use it to finish the blade after bevel in progressive grits.

Thanks all.

I've just had another go (I had to wait a bit for some more arm hair :) ), and it's come out well. I tried a bit of slurry, which I haven't done before. I didn't think you used slurry on synthetic stones. I also tried lightly resting a finger on the middle of the blade.

I keep my King stone in a food container of water, but it does dry out quickly in use, so I added more water than usual to keep a pool on the surface instead of just being damp.

And thanks for all the videos, gssixgun, I watched a few of them (again) and I always seem to pick up something new.

Only took about 30 mins, from 1k all the way up to 12k, and it shaved pretty well. I'm happy with it.

Here's the razor:
Attachment 126306