Thread: Sharpening Experiment, anyone?

Originally Posted by jendeindustries

But I am very interested in conducting an experiment, nonetheless. I want to buy some cheap ebay razors, and sharpen one each on the Nortons, my cotecule, King, Shapton Pros and Glass. The discuss the differences when sharpening, and when using. Unfortunately, this will probably only add to the confusion, and it will only serve to tell us which combo is best for cheap ebay knives!

This will add 2 variables to the equation: different blades and different stones. If you wanna do it scientifically you need to change only one variable at a time. But that of course would mean you have to buy a number of similar razors which will be hard if you want to use decent and affordable razors.

I "won" 3 razors, so I will be using the Pro, Glass, on 2 of them, and the Nortons (up to 8K, then finishing with the cotecule.

Pros will be the 1k, 2k,5k, 8k, 15k, 30k
Glass will be the 1k, 2k, 4k, 8k, 16k, 30k
Norton will be 1k, 4k, 8k, cotecule (not using a slurry stone)

Again, I know very well what each medium does, I just want to see what happens to each blade as I sharpen it. I've been spending a lot of time with my razor on my glass stones this past 2 weeks, and I am anxious to take it to my pros.

Originally Posted by jendeindustries

I "won" 3 razors, so I will be using the Pro, Glass, on 2 of them, and the Nortons (up to 8K, then finishing with the cotecule.

Pros will be the 1k, 2k,5k, 8k, 15k, 30k
Glass will be the 1k, 2k, 4k, 8k, 16k, 30k
Norton will be 1k, 4k, 8k, cotecule (not using a slurry stone)

Again, I know very well what each medium does, I just want to see what happens to each blade as I sharpen it. I've been spending a lot of time with my razor on my glass stones this past 2 weeks, and I am anxious to take it to my pros.

Wanna know how it's gonna turn out...........................

Have fun,

Lynn

Originally Posted by 0livia

I've done something like that but with natural hones only. Here (lower part of the page)
The 5 blades were identical and the number of strokes as well.
Such a test to see what each hone can do is not too reliable
because you have a scratched surface that you want to get smoother.
Its like bending a horse shoe straight.
The better method would be using a hone on a pristine surface like a piece of a CD.

Anyway, cheap eBay blades can be very different.

Wow! Absolutely beautiful natural stones and photos Olivia! Gave me goose bumps, really!
May i ask why those photos aren't in wiki?
Oh, an English translation, for us people, who think our language is the center of the universe, would be nice. lol

Thanks,
Mac

Originally Posted by Lynn

Wanna know how it's gonna turn out...........................

Have fun,

Lynn

I haven't gotten the razors yet, but here's what I think will happen: Based on the fact that these razors are to be avoided, I don't think I will get a shave quality edge. I will be able to get them "sharp", but the steel is going to be so soft that the edge will flex like a bendy straw if used. And/Or, the edge of the razor will flake off as it becomes so thin.

Am I close?

I'd guess you'll be getting edges with a lot of micro chips rather.

We should start an SRP pool... Take bets on how long it takes the noob to accept his failure

OK, so I tried to sharpen one of the blacklisted ebay razors.

I was able to get it "sharp" dispite the eneven spine. A little tricky to compensate for the suddenly different angle it caused, but doable. I evened out the edge to make it a more even triangle on the shapton pro 1k. Then I went to the 2K, and was getting some interesting feedback from the stone. By 5K, it was clear that the stone was still cutting, rather than "rubbing" the blade at this point. I have never felt that before, which told me that the blade was definitely too soft - softer than cheap SS kitchen knives - to hold a really refined edge.

I thought about abandoning the experiment, but wanted to be complete in my failure, just to be sure. I went to the 8K and then the 15K. Again, both stones felt like they were still cutting (it was actually kind of a satisfactory feeling, in a weird sort of way....) I didn't bother with the 30K.

By the end of the 15K, I was able to slice the tissue I used to clean the blade, but upon trying to shave some hairs off my arm, it required a raised angle, and it totally lacked that "mowing" effect that a "real" blade has. It was clear that such a refined edge on a soft steel would easily roll over with just one pass on facial hair.

But not all is lost, I will make remove the scales, pop the blade in a handle, sharpen it as a reed knife, and put it back up on ebay in order to regain some of my dignity.

On the positive side, I know that SR's can be shipped to Taiwan safely, and as long as the Post office is used rather than UPS, DHL, or Fed Ex, Customs will pretty much leave it alone.

I'm now ready for all of you to say "I told you so!" Thanks for everyone who still played along with me!

Originally Posted by jendeindustries

On the positive side, I know that SR's can be shipped to Taiwan safely, and as long as the Post office is used rather than UPS, DHL, or Fed Ex, Customs will pretty much leave it alone.

However, they may have lost their temper in transit!

Originally Posted by Kees

However, they may have lost their temper in transit!

Yes, That makes a lot of sense....the friction from the speedy delivery of the Taiwanese post man driving his motorcycle on the sidewalks must've created temperatures high enough to draw out the carbon