Razor is working! But a new problem...

Thanks for your suggestions in other posts guys.

I'm shaving with my Solingen straight razor! I don't think it is as sharp as it could be, but I'm improving (largely thanks to your collective help, so thanks!).

I think my barber's hone has made a difference.

I also have a cheap pakistani razor that I am using to learn on. I don't expect it to be a serious shaving razor or to hold an edge for long, but I would like to practice putting an edge on it.

Yesterday I tested the edge before shaving with my other razor, and it wouldn't cut into my facial hair unless it is held at an incredibly steep angle - around 45 degrees (and even then didn't cut much).

So, I took it to the strops: 50x linen and 100x leather.

Still no good.

Then back to the barber's hone. 10x, followed by the same strop treatment.

It seemed better, but when I tried it on my face this evening it was no good.

So I took it back to the 4k grit sandpaper (approx = 8k hone...right?), followed by the barber's hone.

The blade seemed much better and was catching at a lesser angle - maybe 15 or 20 degrees.

When I stropped, the blade wouldn't catch again unless I increased the angle.

Am I stropping wrong? I lay the strop flat on the table when I use it.

I'm going to try to use the razor without stropping.

From what I've read on a few occasions is that your Pakistani razor is something to steer clear of. Good for working on your technique but hard to get the results your looking for.

If the razor were capable of taking an edge, I'd suspect it needs bevel work.

At the last "Frozen Toe Meet" at Mike Blue's shop, someone brought a pakistani razor. Throughout the two days I'd pick it up here and there and hone on it for awhile, as well as looking under the stereo microscope to see what was happening. I never was able to get a shaving edge on it.
I'm sure there will be some variance in the Pakistani razors, but your problem could simply be that the razor won't take an edge.

My apologies! +1 on the Pakistani razor. Solingen stuck in my head and was what I was thinking about when replying.

Howard :)

Thanks for the info guys.

I started shopping today for another reputable razor; perhaps that will help.

Great video. It was very helpful.

In the mean time, I am going to go work on the crappy razor and see what I can see! :)