Thread: Big John 1944

Hi Guys,
I've just been sort of lurking, soaking up all the excellent information. I need to know about the razors purchased on Ebay. Is there a point where a razor can be honed to much to use?
I have several I've sanitized, cleaned up and honed but I wouldn't want to use one that may be overhoned and unsafe. I've been using a SR for about two months and today is the first day I nicked myself. I'll shut up and wait for all you veterans to answer.

Hi and welcome,

You can overhone and produce a wire edge, but this is not exclusive to Ebay razors. I'm no expert on identifying an overhoned razor (at least not without a microscope), but I'm sure there are several threads which have dealt with this issue - try a search.

If you do discover you've overhoned, you can back-hone for a few strokes (ie hone like you are stropping). Then, start again.

Not sure if this is what you're after. Hope it's helpful anyway.

James.

Welcome Big John,

Try looking in the hone section at some of the old threads. Ask away as the guys on this site are more than willing to help.

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.