Thread: Big John 1944

Not exactly. Example: I have a blade that measures 3/4" and I hone that sucker down to just 1/4" of the razor is left. Is that 1/4 inch still safe to shave with?
I have some razors that were almost over honed. Would they be useable? I'll submit some pictures.

I read the hone forums and unfortunately didn't find anything that would answer my question.

Hi John. For starters welcome aboard. If you already have a couple of blades with reasonably little hone-wear, then you'll be fine for the rest of your life and then some. A barber would use one for about 10 years before replacing it. It will never become unsafe but at some point the bevel angle will become too extreme and you just won't be able to get a decent shave out of it.

Big John,

Look give it a try. You will know after a pass or two if you want to shave with it. Like with most things its all in the feel.

Hi Gary...

Any fishing trips lately?

theres a difference in Overhoned and Alot of hone wear. you may be asking the wrong question.

overhoned : is when you create your bevel, make it keen then continue to hone which ends up making the edge wirey. i think one of the easiest way to tell this is if you touch the razor to your face to start shaving and you cut yourself... i look for an overhoned edge.

alot of hone wear: you mentioned above taking a blade fomr 3/4 to 1/4 and if it would still shave.. YES it will. you can still make that edge sharp and shave with it. understand that in this dramatic example you have changed the shape of the razor, honed past the hollow ground etc etc. however, the EDGE can still be made keen.

so Overhoning talks about the edge becoming wirey, past keeness. while alot of hone wear talks about change in shape/size of the actual blade as you asked about in your question.

~J

Thanks guys for all your good answers and help. I will feel more comfortable using all of the razors but just not at the same time.