Thread: What are you working on?

Outstanding!

Thank you all for the kind words. Yes Mike the shave is quite enjoyable but the stropping is a bit of a trick. That is part of the rub and a balancing act with trying to make a razor that is art but still functional. Although I have to say that the tail helps with the grip as you can put 3 fingers on top of it instead of just one. It also helps with balance as the blade is quite heavy.

Randy, using diamond plates is exactly where I started. It took such a long time partly because the bevel became wide in spots during the final level set process even after all the initial grinding and test bevel. As a result I had to grind more just in front of the bevel to narrow it out. Otherwise I would probably still be honing away. I decided to leave the face a rougher finish as the extremely polished bevel was a nice contrast.

I feel like all the planets aligned well for me on this one beyond the work that I put in. Hopefully I will have the same good fortune in the future.

Nice work, Paul.

So I've been shaving with my test razor for the last week or so and it is good. The edge is holding fine but there are some spots that shave better than others, mainly the middle of the smile shaves best which is good since that is the first spot to present to the face. The heel and the toe are fine but not great like the bottom of the smile. I notice it mainly doing a straight stroke but it just walks through the hairs doing a sweeping, scything stroke which the smiling blade is perfect for. I am happy with the outcome especially being the fact that it is my first I got to finished but I would like to get it to walk through no matter what stroke I use. It may be that I just need to spend more time on the stones since it is the first one I have honed from no edge. I mean, I know how to hone but it is possible that I was a little impatient to get to the shave and wasn't diligent enough on the trouble spots. It could also be that it is a little tricky to strop and just needs more time on the leather.

Also I figured the geometry incorrectly using the rule of thumb I read in a post of 4 to 1 ratio run over rise without checking the math. For the record the ratio is 3 to 1 NOT 4 to 1. 4 to 1 gives a 14.04 bevel angle; 3 to 1 gives 18.43. Because of that I have stacked tape to compensate. Maybe
that has affected the honing more than I thought. Again, whatever it is it was a test razor so...ya know. It passes the tests and it shaves well. I guess I just want GREAT. Maybe I will get there already but meanwhile I am still viewing it as a learning experience.

Easier to stack tape than to remove metal at least at the present time.

I have also fell to pressure of the "Funky Monkey Tail" and although I think it looks cool I now understand why it doesn't work well!

I have or have had several razors with crazy tails, I find them to be a stropping challenge and because of it they don’t get used much.
It good to see you having success Paul.
Victor is pretty amazing at the math so if in doubt you could check in with him.

I find that honing a wedge or similar type grind where the edge has no flex to be difficult.(another reason I haven't made a razor yet) My theory is that flex allows more of the edge to contact the hone so any inaccuracy is covered up.

Interesting theory. There is some logic to it. Next time I’m honing razors I’ll have to pay attention to that.

Originally Posted by tintin

I find that honing a wedge or similar type grind where the edge has no flex to be difficult.(another reason I haven't made a razor yet) My theory is that flex allows more of the edge to contact the hone so any inaccuracy is covered up.

I can attest to that, Vern.

Well I like the way you can get more fingers on it. Especially with so much smile it helps with grip. Unfortunately it also makes it a pain in the keister to strop. I guess you can't have everything. Besides, if you did have everything where would you put it all?