Thread: Need help after honing...

Originally Posted by eanzenberg

Hey guys, here is another update. I decided to do another careful honing regiment before sending it off to a honemeister before I really mess up the blade. I did 10 passes on the Fine, 30 on the UF. I did 10 on the linen, then I rubbed the latigo up and down with my hands. When I stropped the latigo it was much smoother than before...it used to drag a bit but now was gliding. I did 30 on the latigo, and shaved.

I must say the shave was way better than the previous 2 attempts. It is still not as good as I remember first getting it, but I it is better than before. My question is, should I continue on the regiment, or just do 10 laps on the UF until it is perfect? Or, is this where I'll need an even finer stone? I thought the UF was very fine already, around 14000 grit comparable...

Let me know what I should try next..

When I'm honing, I have benchmarks for each step of the process. I have an expectation for what I expect the edge to feel like at 4K 8K 12K and .5µ. I don't got to the 8K until the edge is finished for the 4K stage. It takes a very long time to get a 8K benchmark if the 4k wasn't met. This comes with a lot experience. I use the little Radio Shack microscope to judge each stage and I also have a feel for each stage. Sometimes it might take a 10 laps to finish a stage, sometimes 20, sometimes 4 it all depends on the razor.

Try 30 more passes on the UF then test shave. If better but not there, then try another 30 and see what happens. If you had them, this would be a good time to try 10 strokes on a black paste followed by 10 on a green paste or .5 micron diamond.

Have fun,

Lynn

I talk about this on my site and my saying, which I first published over 12 years ago is "It's better to keep your blade sharp than it is to sharpen your blade". A few licks on a coticule and then a natural leather strop is all you need once a week and you'll keep your blade shave ready. Don't worry about all of the tests such as the HHT. The only test I consider worthwhile is the shaving of your face. Not someone else's face. Not someone else's arm or even your own arm. Shave your face. Now, what to do? I suggest you get a Radio Shack illuminated microscope for $10 and take a good close look at your razor edge from heel to toe on both sides. Then you'll know what you've got. Then hone on a coticule or Escher for about 20 strokes and see what's happened under the magnifier. Keep doing that until the edge is sharp again. Then strop for about 50 strokes total and look again. Keep using the magnifier until you can "feel" the edge being ready on the stone. Don't worry, you can bring this razor back and then . . . keep it there!