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 :gaah:. 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?
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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!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Corin

... Interestingly, my Fox restoration does well on the sharpness tests but is not as comfortable to shave with as Larry's blade...

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exactly.

sharpness can be approximated with (non-shave) testing, comfort cannot, and we seek both.

Those are incredible pics! I never have seen or thought of that approach before but what a cool method to use that could help objectify a pot of things... Shave Prep, Hot vs Cold H2O, Shave Oil/Not... Really interesting!

Thanks for sharimg... Not to mention introducing another affliction... MAD... Microscope Acquisition Disorder! Nice... ;-)

Shawn
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Ha ha, I like that. This forum is a great way to feed my tool addiction :rock: