Thread: Trouble Honing a razor

I have 5 razors. I have one that is a bear to get as sharp as the others. It is carbon steel. I have taken it through all the same progressions as the others and spent a little more time with it on the 8K and 12K levels. My fridour is killer sharp my waker 1/4 grind is too. My new ugly little Challenge razor just came off the hones and is going to get tested in the morn (it is popping hairs like a champ).
I just have the hardest time getting this particular razor to pop hairs like the others or do a little shave test on that soft upper bicep hair that the other sharp ones will just melt off. (that is my last test before the shave test)

I would rather not mention the name of this razor because someone may think that I am bashing the razor. This is a pretty expensive razor from one of my most favorite vendors. I do not want to bring anything negative towards them. I am sure it is "user error".

What can I do? I have thought about selling it and getting another razor that is a little bit easier to hone.

Suggestions?

Originally Posted by krisbarger

What can I do? I have thought about selling it and getting another razor that is a little bit easier to hone.

Suggestions?

You could do a few things... like shave with it or something and keep experimenting, or you could send a PM to one of the honemeisters to see if they would troubleshoot it for you... if they have an abnormal honing experience maybe you just have a tough blade on your hands that takes forever to hone... if all goes smoothly for the honemeister, it must be something that you are doing (or not doing).

That's what I'd do anyway, especially if it is a high dollar razor.

Good Luck

Dave

It could be you still do not have bevel set on the razor.
DO you have a loupe or a scope to take a look at the bevel?

It does have a bevel. It was set by someone else that is very respected. This razor just can't seem to get as sharp as others I have.

Originally Posted by krisbarger

It does have a bevel. It was set by someone else that is very respected. This razor just can't seem to get as sharp as others I have.

May be you could ask them to help you with trouble shooting the problem then, they would know all the specifics that we are not aware of.

kris,

I have one of that is similarly frustrating. Probably not the same brand, but one which exhibits the same behavior on the hones and no it's not a Zeepk. All my other razors have cooperated with me; this one - pffht - it mocks me. I'll try some more hone action and some pasted strop action and some incantations. Maybe that will help.

If I really hang in there, how long do you think it will take to run the edge up to the spine?

I feel ya!!





LOLOLOLOL

Originally Posted by Bruce

kris,

I have one of that is similarly frustrating. Probably not the same brand, but one which exhibits the same behavior on the hones and no it's not a Zeepk. All my other razors have cooperated with me; this one - pffht - it mocks me. I'll try some more hone action and some pasted strop action and some incantations. Maybe that will help.

If I really hang in there, how long do you think it will take to run the edge up to the spine?

I've been thinking this over. One possible explanation is that the razor is simply not as good as the others. As a friend of mine is fond of pointing out, every horse cannot win the race. Perhaps the steel, heat treat or tempering wasn't as good as your others. OTOH, with honing I don't hit a home run every time I go to bat.

When I get one that is troublesome I might put it aside and come back to it later. If it is shaving well but not up to the sharpness or smoothness of the others try your finishing stone. If some work on that doesn't get it drop back to the previous grit. In some cases I've just taken it to square one and started all over again with circles on a bevel setter. Depends on the razor and how it is shaving.

Originally Posted by krisbarger

It does have a bevel. It was set by someone else that is very respected. This razor just can't seem to get as sharp as others I have.

Is this the same one you posted about on the other forum, where you said you were going to reset the bevel and see what you could get done after that? If you trust the bevel, why would you reset it?

Well, I was just taking some advice. It can't hurt to try it.