Thread: Opinion on this pitting please

I would like to know how far into the danger zone you guys think I am as far as getting a usable hone on this blade goes?

You're right to question what hides in that area. The only way to know is to do some initial bevel grinding to see if it hides further gremlins or that you can find clean steel. I've had similar blades where the elimination of one nick from pitting - only exposed another one. The odd thing is that it still took a wonderful edge and gave a great shave - nicks & all.

Yep, tape the spine and re-set the bevel until/if you get to good steel. Should be fine though after a bit one the 1K with some slurry to really take away some steel.

I think I can get a better macro for you guys

I am considerably blinder for it, but here you go

All the pics in the world won't really help you have to start rubbing steel on stone and find what is under the surface, as you start getting into new steel pics might help us help you but I think you will see what we are saying for yourself...

Stay on the low grit hones until you see clean steel under Magnification, and check often, many times you will think you are there only to find a microchip has popped out, I have even had then pop on the Linen stropping and had to go back and take another out of there

Early indications are it isn't as bad as I feared. Busted may ass to get it externally as clean as possible before venturing to the next step. Think I lucked out... The moral of this story is, if you are blind as a bat and going to look at antiques, bring a loupe with you to look at the business end of a straight you are thinking of buying...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

All the pics in the world won't really help you have to start rubbing steel on stone and find what is under the surface, as you start getting into new steel pics might help us help you but I think you will see what we are saying for yourself...

Stay on the low grit hones until you see clean steel under Magnification, and check often, many times you will think you are there only to find a microchip has popped out, I have even had then pop on the Linen stropping and had to go back and take another out of there

Been there. It is an "awwww Crap" moment for sure.

Originally Posted by pinklather

You're right to question what hides in that area. The only way to know is to do some initial bevel grinding to see if it hides further gremlins or that you can find clean steel. I've had similar blades where the elimination of one nick from pitting - only exposed another one. The odd thing is that it still took a wonderful edge and gave a great shave - nicks & all.

I saw one nice razor with one small black spot that went completely through the blade. You never know what's under there.

I have a big Wostenholm with a spine much larger than 1/4 inch. A touch-up revealed a major pit in the edge near the toe. I have resisted honing it to get past bad metal into good because I'm pretty sure what awaits me. Not honing it has allowed me to entertain the possibility that it still has life left in it, but I'm afraid the reality of the status of the blade will be revealed by more honing. One of these days, I'm going to get to work on it with my Chosera 1K or perhaps even my DMT 325. The sad prospect of what awaits me has kept me from doing it for over a year. It is an easy thing to put off. It is truly a sad thing to have a 9/8 blade, a near wedge, that may, in the end, be totally useless. Pitting can be a very bad thing.