Thread: Micro chipping

How far back in grit does one go if you want to remove micro chips, say 3 or 4 on the length of the blade. Now I understand that is doesn't necessarily affect the comfort of the shave. Let's assume that I'm a freak and just want the perfect "looking" edge and have the time.

Kind regards,

Everyone has their favorite hone for this. personally I use the Norton 4K for chip removal and circular honing.

If I am restoring the blade or the chips seem large I usually work them out on the 1000 grit paper before I get to my hones.

If it's a blade I've used and its just showing pretty bad wear or I screwed it up somehow, I usually work any tiny chips out on the 4000 as well.

Sigh, I was hoping not to have go down that far...oh well. Starting over again isn't all that bad, I guess.

Kind regards,

It won't be that bad. Once the chips are gone you'll have a perfect bevel to build on

You may not have to go that far if you don't want to. Just be patient with a high grit and work some circular honing or back honing as you go and you may be able to remove small microchips as long as your patient.

Finish with light no pressure pulling x strokes and you should be able to pull off finishing without recreating the original microchips. Be particularly careful not to let the blade smack down on the hone on the roll from edge to edge. It has to touch down lightly.

If you are really talking "micro" chips, as in not visible to the anked eye, you don't need to go very far at all.
I usually go back to the 8k if I have micro chips, or a wire edge.

Worst case scenario, one or two passes on a 4k...

If you find that 25 laps on the 8K has not either removed or noticeable reduced the chip then drop back to the next lower grit. I do not use the circle stroke anymore because it has caused me problems in the past. YMMV.

Hope this helps,