All but 1 inch from the Tip

[onotoman]

Hi Guys,

Fist of all, I've just noticed that this is my 1,000th post on B&B (time flies!)

Anyway I'm getting good honing results consistently now other than the last inch or so at the tip of a razor (it's OK, but just not as good as the rest of the blade) and I had a couple of questions:

Presumably I'm not getting the pressure right as the tip of the razor is on or leaves the stone - is this just down to more practice?

Can I 'dress' that last inch or is it better to start the whole process again?

I have a 1K, 4K and Coticule.

As always, advice greatly appreciated.

[Doc226]

Do you have any pics? It the tip "smiling" if so, you might need rolling stroke.

You should be just fine with the stones you have to be able to deal with most things.

[Kentos]

Practice definitely makes perfect. Many times razors aren't perfectly flat, so pressure may need to be directed away from the spine and more towards the edge. Or as Doc pointed out a rolling x-as you reach the toe of the razor lift the scale end of the razor just a tad as you maintain a finger on the toe. A tad=1 or 2 millimeters.

If you ink the bevel and take a few laps you can test out various techniques or how much to lift the scale end to find the one that hits that toe satisfactorily.

[Fast Eddie]

Try a 1 inch long piece of shim tape over the spine at the point. That will raise the spine and lower the forward 1 inch of the blade edge so it has a better chance of contacting the stone. This will also work in conjunction with the rolling X stroke.

Fast

[Disburden]

Concentrate on keeping your elbow high as you hone. That is why your tip is duller than the rest of the blade.

This is common for new honers.

[onotoman]

Great tips guys,

I'll try the Rolling X, Elbow lift and Tape techniques and the ink on the blade is also a great idea.

Best wishes

[onotoman]

I can't think why I haven't thought of this. When I did may Engineering Apprenticeship (many years ago) we would apply blue ink to metal pieces that we were lapping or filing etc to see any high points etc.

Practice definitely makes perfect. Many times razors aren't perfectly flat, so pressure may need to be directed away from the spine and more towards the edge. Or as Doc pointed out a rolling x-as you reach the toe of the razor lift the scale end of the razor just a tad as you maintain a finger on the toe. A tad=1 or 2 millimeters.

If you ink the bevel and take a few laps you can test out various techniques or how much to lift the scale end to find the one that hits that toe satisfactorily.

[Disburden]

Jerry Sell is a member on SRP and Sham's site Razorandstone.com.
He has been shaving with a straight razor for decades and learned honing from Sham himself (probably the best honer I have experienced...).
Jerry has a blog and a great guide on how to learn to hone.

Read it here, it is VERY helpful:

http://www.razorandstone.com/showthr...raight-shavers

Also click on his username and see is blogs on honing and stropping. He has helped me a lot and will also exchange emails with you on honing.

[paco664]

ok........ you have received excellent advice.....

but...

the title of this thread made me laugh my entire ass off.... it was all i could do not to type "thats what she said"........

[trick420]

ok........ you have received excellent advice.....

but...

the title of this thread made me laugh my entire ass off.... it was all i could do not to type "thats what she said"........

Funny, I was just thinking "There's an inappropriate comment in that title somewhere..." Or fodder for a custom title...