Sharpmaker Question - honing my Dovo Straingt Razor -

Rival1314

Rival1314

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Aug 17, 2012
Messages
1,424
Hey all,

Recently purchased a Spyderco sharpmaker, I'm loving it so far. Has anyone used it for honing straight razors?? Any tips?? Has anyone had success with the SM, any issues??
 
Hi, I've got a Sharpmaker and a Dovo Black Star, and like yourself was obviously interested in putting the two together. When I've searched on the topic in the past on Bladeforums and on various shaving forums, the knife guys seemed to be more in favour of using the Sharpmaker than the shaving forum guys, possibly because more knife guys own Sharpmakers and are experienced in their use. However, the majority of posts I found on the issue reckoned that for various reasons the Sharpmaker wasn't the best thing to use, even that it shouldn't be used. I'd be very interested to hear more on this though.
 
If you are going to try, just use it like a normal flat stone. carefully keep the the spine and edge in contact and proceed gently. you'll want a final honing surface that is at least 8000 grit, not sure which rods will give you that. The edge on a straight shouldn't take much to get back, so just do a few strokes at a time. The sharpie trick will let you know if you are at the edge. My main concern is that you don't get a wide contact surface, so keeping everything straight ;) and level will take some doing.

YMMV I don't have a sharpmaker, I'm just going off what I've learned from using other ceramic stones on straights.
 
If thats the case, I wouldn't think the grits go up high enough any way. You must be quoting waterstones as a 2000 grit stone (Belgium yellow coticule)plus stropping gives a nice edge on a straight razor. I've seen Ceramic stones up to 1800 grit and they will work on a razor with more stropping. DM
 
Not sure, plus there is the factor of what measurement system you are using, I have an 8k ceramic that is marginal as a shaving edge by itself.... no experience with fine grit water stones, sorry. anything is worth a try though
 
For a re-hone I use the Norton 4000/8000 combo. There is a difference between re-honing and setting a new bevel.

I have never tried one on a sharp maker but my guess would be they are not near high enough grit to really get super sharp.
 
The Shapton Glass stones do get that fine and are pricey. In other shaving forums I've read taking a razor that fine is not required inorder to get a nice shave. But that high grit should do it. DM
 
On other forums there are guys that love Spyderco stones for razor finishing/honing. That said, I believe most are using the slip stones and not the Sharpmaker.

There is MUCH individuality in razor edge preference. There are many different abrasive types and I will attest to the differences in shave experience owing to these differences.

I would suggest that you absolutely can use the Sharpmaker to get a blade to pass HHT2-3 but you will have to test for yourself regarding shave comfort on your beard.

I would suggest using the upper storage slots but only use ONE rod at a time instead of two as the video shows. I would also suggest very low pressure as ceramics can leave rather harsh edges and seemingly most gents prefer a more mellow edge. Finally, I would also suggest the ultra fine rods as an addition to the kit...or an UF slip stone.
 
Yes, I've read on other shave forums about guys that like the UF Spyderco ceramic stone and I've used it with good success as well. The Belgium yellow coticule does take it a step finer but they're hard to find and pricey. So, I recommend more stropping. Let us know how it works. DM
 
thanks for the info guys! I'll prob give it a shot with the fine stones and strop from there. I'll let you all know how it goes. I will prob try just using one stone....I was afraid using 2 might result in a slightly uneven edge.
 
Other than the grit size I'd guess the Sharpmaker is set at too great of an angle for a razor.
 
David Martin said:
Yes, I've read on other shave forums about guys that like the UF Spyderco ceramic stone and I've used it with good success as well.
Click to expand...

I've had one of these a very long time, but have also not tried honing my razor with it. Might give it a try as it's a deal wider than the ceramic rods.

Rival1314 said:
I will prob try just using one stone....I was afraid using 2 might result in a slightly uneven edge.
Click to expand...

Yes, can see why you'd think that was a good idea. I drew the same conclusion after watching the Sharpmaker DVD.

db said:
Other than the grit size I'd guess the Sharpmaker is set at too great of an angle for a razor.
Click to expand...

Spyderco reccomend razor honing with the two ultra-fine rods laid in the storage slots, so they are basically flat (like a normal stone), but with a small gap. Mr Rival's concern I think, and certainly mine, is that the two rods, side by side, might not be exactly flat.
 
JB - you are correct, my concern is chipping or un-even honing resulting from the gap in stones. I have an old vintage Solingen razor, perhaps I'll use it as a test subject and share my results. I'm hesitant to do anything to mess up my Dovo...
 
Rival1314 said:
JB - you are correct, my concern is chipping or un-even honing resulting from the gap in stones. I have an old vintage Solingen razor, perhaps I'll use it as a test subject and share my results. I'm hesitant to do anything to mess up my Dovo...
Click to expand...

Be good to hear how it goes. I feel the same way about my Dovo, and it's the only straight razor I have. Good luck anyway :)
 
So i took my vintage D.Peres Solingen razor and used the SM with it....using one stone in the top flat slot of the Sharp Maker here's what I did:

5 passes on coarse,10 passes on fine, 3 passes on coarse, 5 passes on fine, 1 coarse, 5 fine.....
from there i did 10 passes on my pressed canvas strop with fine paste, 15 passes on pressed linen strop, 15 passes on leather strop.

when i put it up to a few hairs they fell over in terror!!! I can attest that the SM does indeed hone a straight razor...will be putting the Dovo Blackstar to it this weekend:thumbup:
 
Rival1314 said:
So i took my vintage D.Peres Solingen razor and used the SM with it....using one stone in the top flat slot of the Sharp Maker here's what I did:

5 passes on coarse,10 passes on fine, 3 passes on coarse, 5 passes on fine, 1 coarse, 5 fine.....
from there i did 10 passes on my pressed canvas strop with fine paste, 15 passes on pressed linen strop, 15 passes on leather strop.

when i put it up to a few hairs they fell over in terror!!! I can attest that the SM does indeed hone a straight razor...will be putting the Dovo Blackstar to it this weekend:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot for the report. Much appreciated :thumbup:
 
I used a fine Sharpmaker rod to bring an edge back to one of my J.R. Torreys. I was able to get it sharp enough to shave arm hair but nothing I'd be willing to use on my face. I tried finishing it on some newsprint and then stropping the hell out of it but I feel it's no substitute for a real hone (at least with my limited skills). What did work was a nice flat piece of balsa wood with chromium oxide on one side and iron oxide on the other with a bit of neatsfoot oil, all supplied by Whipped Dog.
Best of luck!


ETA: When I asked the same question on another forum, several members warned me about such a narrow stone encouraging a 'frowned' edge. Food for thought.
 
good feedback....eventually i will invest in a true 3in honing stone....funds are tight now though
 
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