Thread: 1st Professionally Honed Shave Microscope Pics- Whipped Dog

Hi Folks! I was self taught about 14 years ago and it was a mess. My honing hobby & recent acquisition of Chosera's inspired me to take another stab at straight razor shaving. Also, the craft of it just appeals to me. I started up again and made all the newb mistakes and will probably continue to due so . After some really bad razor burn with a restoration I decided to slow down, and try shaving Lynn's Beginner style. So I got myself a Whipped dog site unseen and took my baby steps. Interestingly, my Fox restoration does well on the sharpness tests but is not as comfortable to shave with as Larry's blade. I shaved the two cheeks different to test my technique and results: one side was 2 WTG passes (top pic) and the other is 1 WTG & 1XTG (bottom pic). I want to let me face rest and see how it feels later in the day. I'm trying to find that balance between closeness of shave and comfort. Suggestions?

That's one of the coolest before and after comparo pics I've ever seen. To me, that second one is a great shave.....the first one surprises me.....

Sweet pictures!

Did you pull your skin to a taut position? The 2 x WTG is markedly less smooth than the WTG/XTG.

Also, the WTG pic seems to show the whisker ends to be pointed. Pulling your skin taught should give the whisker ends a more flat look.

I did pull, but probably poorly. I seem to get tangled. Thank you for the advise, I'll revisit how I pull the skin and watch instructional videos again.

What stone are you using as a finishing stone. The guy that restores and hones my razors finsihes with an escher hone and the edge feels completely glassy and silky

I was finishing with an unfortunate 6k suehiro because prior to straight razors I never had a need to sharper further then that. I am waiting for a Naniwa Superstone 12k in the mail, I think that will do a better job. I have never worked with Eschers, but from what the master honers say I think that may be my next finishing stone purchase.

Corin
Those are amazing pics.

What camera did you use?

Dave

It's Veho USB Microscope. It's pretty good. I don't think it's 400X as advertised but I throw the image up on my TV and get a good view. With previous sharpening projects (tools & knives) I like that i could take a pick of the edge and then compare the difference afterwards.

Amazon.com: Veho VMS-004 Discovery Deluxe USB Microscope with x400 Magnification & Flexi Alloy Stand: Camera & Photo

Nice pics. I think you may have a little blood in the after shot!