Inconsistent bevel width along edge. My fault?

**jinenjo** · 06-10-2009, 05:09 PM

I can't remember now what this old antique razor looked like before I started honing with it. Basically, it's a wide bevel at the toe and heel, but quite narrow in between.

Now that I'm working with it, I'm wondering if it will affect my bevel setting. Or is it due to some serious uneven pressure (I spent some time on it trying to hone out two small nicks--on this thread, where you can actually see a picture of the blade) and may have done some foolish things.

At any rate, I'd like to know if anyone could offer advice here.

Salut,
LB

**mdunn** · 06-10-2009, 05:21 PM

perhaps the spine is warped?

**mparker762** · 06-10-2009, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by jinenjo

I can't remember now what this old antique razor looked like before I started honing with it. Basically, it's a wide bevel at the toe and heel, but quite narrow in between.

Is it like this on both sides, or only one? The photos in that thread only show the one side.

**jinenjo** · 06-10-2009, 06:21 PM

The other side is different. It appears more uniform, yet the bevel is wider at the toe. It actually looks to gradually increase in width from the heel toward the toe.

If this is a case of a warped spine, how do I tell for sure?

**mparker762** · 06-10-2009, 06:27 PM

Lay the razor flat on the hone, and hold it up to the light and see if any light shines between them. Check both the spine and the edge, since either one could be warped.

**chess1** · 06-10-2009, 06:42 PM

it could be warped as early said or uneven hone wear on the back of the blade. You don't have to worry about a lot. as long as you can set bevel and sharpness of the blade will be same from heel to tip you should be ok. there is no perfect blade.gl

**leighton** · 06-10-2009, 09:21 PM

If the answer to the following question is yes, don't worry about it.

Does it shave well?

**Fnord5** · 06-10-2009, 09:35 PM

If it does not shave well, go get a narrow hone/hones and try again.

**zippo** · 06-11-2009, 02:38 AM

there is an old trick for uneven blades ,turn the hone on it`s edge ,this makes your hone 1/2"-3/4" across support the hone ,eg between two thick books ,and hone normaly. This trick is also handy for excessively happy blades as well ( large smile)
Kind regards Peter

**mdunn** · 06-11-2009, 02:56 AM

Originally Posted by zippo

there is an old trick for uneven blades ,turn the hone on it`s edge ,this makes your hone 1/2"-3/4" across support the hone ,eg between two thick books ,and hone normaly. This trick is also handy for excessively happy blades as well ( large smile)
Kind regards Peter

yep! just make sure that side edge has been lapped and the edges have been rounded

**jinenjo** · 06-12-2009, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by leighton

Does it shave well?

Don't know yet. I'm still working on getting the nicks out and setting the bevel. This is my maiden voyage into honing, while starting from scratch.

Originally Posted by Fnord5

If it does not shave well, go get a narrow hone/hones and try again.

But I am working with a narrow hone. In fact I thought uneven pressure while honing may have contributed to this conundrum.

**leighton** · 06-12-2009, 11:41 AM

Hmm, could be your technique. Could be a lot of factors. Could even be because the spine is ground more or less at the heel and toe. I really wouldn't recommend a smiling blade to start your honing journey with.