Thread: Pesky Chip

well, horror of horrors, I was shaving with a 5/8 SS Dovo last night and I accidentally whacked the edge of the razor on the tap while rinsing the blade

So, after a look at the edge under the 'scope, it looks like a pretty bad chip (I could see it without the 'scope) possibly 1/100 of an inch, maybe a tad less.

After that I taped up the spine and went to town on a 1200 grit waterstone, with little visible improvement after 50 laps.

Resto buffs: am I going to have to break down and go to a rougher hone? I've got some DMTS in 325 and 600 I use for knife sharpening, is that the only way to get the chip out?

50 laps is nothing when you're dealing with a serious chip. Your 1200 should do the job, but it's going to take some time. Stones vary widely in terms of how fast they cut. Some people go down to a 325 DMT, but that's pretty extreme. You might try posting on the honing forum.

I just removed a similar chip from a
blade on my DMT 1200 and it took
quite a few passes to get it out. Over
50 at least.

John

I have a 750 grit Norton Diamond Hone for such things and it can take a while even with that. Just have patience on the 1500 paper and you'll get there.

Yep, chips will make you talk to yourself. If you are new to honing, I think it is better to use a 1K or so for taking it out. It is easy to mess up the edge with something that cuts too fast. Slow and steady will help keep you from being frustrated. 1K type grit might even be too aggressive in many cases. More then a few times guys have gotten the chip out and to put in a frown or change the height between toe and heel.

Keep going on that 1200 until it's gone. Maybe do circles, that can help.