Thread: Frustrated with 1K bevel

Some pictures of the Razor,
posting for gearhead222.

Hi Gearhead

I have read through the posts in this thread with much interest. I would like to suggest viewing some o the excellent YouTube videos that deal with honing straight razors. Some of our most experienced members have made some very good videos that may help you gain some better insight into honing razors. In particular look for videos by gssixgun and Lynn Abrams. These are some of the best instructional videos you will see. If you want something explained better, you can always pm them any questions you may have. Also have a look in the SRP Wiki, it also has heaps of great information.

Hang in there and enjoy the ride

FWIW I honed a wedge last night and today. The blade had a small chip in the edge. I started with 800 wet and dry sandpaper wrapped around the Norton 4/8. I did only a little bit on that and then went straight o the 4k. I did circles for an hour. Seriously. I possibly over honed it a tad. I did create a bit of hone wear, and in hindsight feel I should have used tape all the way. Normally I DO use tape, but it was wearing really fast.

This morning I did a pyramid on the 4/8 (20 x 4, 20 x 8, 19 x 4, 20 x 8, 18 x 4 20 x 8 etc) all the way to 1 x 4, 20 x 8). This morning, though I DID use tape. I realise I was creating a secondary bevel but that's fine by me. I don't really care what the bevel LOOKS like, only what it FEELS like.

I needed to rock the blade a little to get the heel; and the toe. I didn't worry a lot about the toe, though, as I don't really use the toe while shaving. I mainly use the belly and the heel. I tried to get a nice bevel on the heel; and had to concentrate on that a bit; even doing circles on the 8k for a while to get the toe. I don't use a microscope or loupe; just an old magnifying glass. It shaved leg hair last night. After some more patination forcing (the honing wore some of the previous forced patina (lemon, vinegar and lime)) off I finished with 20 laps on the Shapton 16 k.

the IMPORTANT thing for me is to know I'm not finished. I shaved with it; and it was nice, but as I'd already shaved that day it wasn't a real test. I know and accept that I'll need to keep on this razor; maybe over the weeks and months.

Don't try to get it 100% in one go. Give it a while. Keep working on it. I rotate 6 razors normally, and one (my De Pews) has been in a constant state of honing for maybe a year. I don't mind if when I use it it's not 100%. It just gives me something to DO later.

Also, keep a honing journal. Keep track of what you do. It'll allow you to work out what works and what doesn't and also allow you to give well considered advice to others in the future...

I offer this only as my experience, I realise I do a LOT that is not standard practice, but for me it works...