Thread: Need help Straightening out my Wacker (no pun intended).

Hello all,

As some of you have may read, I recently purchased a beautiful set of 5 Wackers. I can tell which ones were the prior owner's favorites because they show disproportionate use on the 2 nicest ones and the others feel like they have been used little if at all because it feels like the sharpness of the blade is only factory sharp. Still does the job, but nothing beats a nicely honed razor. I've read that Wackers can be finicky to hone. I was going to send them out but I don't have the ability to do that right now so I need to do it myself without ruining it. I have moderate honing skills and need advice on how what makes the Wackers more difficult to hone than other blades, and how to overcome it. I have a Norton 4k/8k and a chinese 12k finisher and would like to at least touch it up to bring out more of their potential. Anyone with experience honing wackers, please get me some advice. It would be highly appreciated fellas!

Wackers have a tendency to be hard and chippy steel, they are exceptional shavers when honed correctly..

Get them through the 8k level and stop, strop in on plain leather or linen then leather and shave, read through the JaNorton thread for tons of tips and tricks on getting the most out of that system...
Once you have a close comfortable shave and can see a smooth even edge under a little magnification, then and only then attempt to take it higher up, and this is where you need to sneak up on the final finish of the edge, because this is where the Wackers can go sideways, after the 8k level just really watch the edge progress.. Look for the very edge of the bevel to get sparkles on it, if it does you are far enough don't go farther if you do you will lose the final smoothness

g

Thanks Much Glen! I am sure you will eventually see at least a few of them soon!

Al, If you could use a hand, I'm just on the other side of the river. I love Wackers. I should take a family portrait of them.

Originally Posted by pinklather

Al, If you could use a hand, I'm just on the other side of the river. I love Wackers. I should take a family portrait of them.

Oh man, that would be great. I'd love to meet another "straight" guy in my neck of the woods. I've honed many blades but I'm afraid of injuring these babies. I'd love to meet you.