Thread: Maintaining the edge for a beginner

Originally Posted by pcm

Hi,
Would a paddle strop be a better way for a beginner (trying to eliminate all the variables)?

Hi PCM and welcome.

Well, there is a lot here. I may not hit all the bullet points, but I'm sure the fellas will.

Concerning the above statement: I am one of those who bought a board strop 3" from Glen (gssixgun) and swear by it to this day. Originally, I have a 3" hanging strop, but discovered that it had a defect. Now it and it's hanging felt counterpart have CrOx on them. The 3" strop also removed the need to learn the X-stroke right away. While it is a skill that you will need eventually(another contentious firestarter in and of itself), you don't need that variable steepening the learning curve in the beginning.

The board strop does help remove some of the beginning difficulties in stropping, in my experience. The twisting, cupping, etc.

As per refreshing an edge honed by Lynn, I'd double check with him about the last stone in came off of during the honing process. Usually, if CrOx doesn't get your blade to sing again, you can pull out the stone (say, a Nani 12K) and do a few strokes like Lynn on his video. Literally, only takes a few strokes. I definitely would not go down to the 8K level to do a refresh of a blade honed by Lynn. While a person could shave comfortably of an 8K all their lives, most honemeisters bring their edge up to a higher grit for their customers.

As per the shiny spot, if you look top down and the edge of the razor with the edge facing your eyes and the spine farthest away, shine light on the it, do you see and shiny spots as your eyes run along its edge?

I would think that the "ding" was caused by the sink contact. I'm a little surprised it hasn't significally affected the shave. I've never been able to strop something like that out. IMO, only honing will straighten that ding out again.

Very nice blades, btw!

Oh, quick query. Just out of personal interest, I was wondering why your were going to send the other blade out to Dovo? Are they offering free honing or something?

In no order at all,

Siguy

ps-Finding a mentor in your area will be one of the best pieces of advice that any beginner could take. Wish I had... May want to get a little more specific in your locale profile.

Originally Posted by Siguy

Hi PCM and welcome.

Well, there is a lot here. I may not hit all the bullet points, but I'm sure the fellas will.

Concerning the above statement: I am one of those who bought a board strop 3" from Glen (gssixgun) and swear by it to this day. Originally, I have a 3" hanging strop, but discovered that it had a defect. Now it and it's hanging felt counterpart have CrOx on them. The 3" strop also removed the need to learn the X-stroke right away. While it is a skill that you will need eventually(another contentious firestarter in and of itself), you don't need that variable steepening the learning curve in the beginning.

The board strop does help remove some of the beginning difficulties in stropping, in my experience. The twisting, cupping, etc.

As per refreshing an edge honed by Lynn, I'd double check with him about the last stone in came off of during the honing process. Usually, if CrOx doesn't get your blade to sing again, you can pull out the stone (say, a Nani 12K) and do a few strokes like Lynn on his video. Literally, only takes a few strokes. I definitely would not go down to the 8K level to do a refresh of a blade honed by Lynn. While a person could shave comfortably of an 8K all their lives, most honemeisters bring their edge up to a higher grit for their customers.

As per the shiny spot, if you look top down and the edge of the razor with the edge facing your eyes and the spine farthest away, shine light on the it, do you see and shiny spots as your eyes run along its edge?

I looked closely at it today. It looks like, at the spot mentioned , and a bit closer to the toe, there are small shiny spots. I notice it more looking at the blade from the side, especially on the printed side.

I also see that on the toe (tip) right at the curve, on the printed side, the edge is very slightly rolled toward the printed side. We're talking about 1/16" or less.

This is making sense, as I'm having the most difficulty on the left side of my face, where the printed side is in contact. I've been trying to avoid using the end of the blade, in that area as well. Mostly because I know of the nick, but it looks like here is another factor there.

Maybe too much pressure, and/or the strop twisting (hence the inquiry on the paddles).

I would think that the "ding" was caused by the sink contact. I'm a little surprised it hasn't significally affected the shave. I've never been able to strop something like that out. IMO, only honing will straighten that ding out again.

Well, I've been avoiding that part of the blade a bit. As soon as I get my loupe, I'll look at it again, and then send it in to Lynn.

Very nice blades, btw!

Oh, quick query. Just out of personal interest, I was wondering why your were going to send the other blade out to Dovo? Are they offering free honing or something?

In no order at all,

Siguy

ps-Finding a mentor in your area will be one of the best pieces of advice that any beginner could take. Wish I had... May want to get a little more specific in your locale profile.

The Dovo Best Quality, I got as a XMAS gift, and it came from SRD, and has a free honing. That's the one with the newbie issues.

The Spike I bought from the classifieds (magpie). I only used it once, and was very pleased. It too is well sharpened.

Thanks for the info!

So, you got a very nice Christmas gift purchased from SRD. Did you know that your order came with a guarantee?

From the SRD site:

"Every Straight Razor you purchase from us has been Professionally Honed by Hand at NO CHARGE to you! You will also receive a certificate good for your first Re-honing of the razor Free of Charge!

No one else offers you both these services free of charge!"

Why mess around? Send it out now. The quicker you send, the quicker you get back. Just sayin'

Post back

Originally Posted by Siguy

So, you got a very nice Christmas gift purchased from SRD. Did you know that your order came with a guarantee?

From the SRD site:

"Every Straight Razor you purchase from us has been Professionally Honed by Hand at NO CHARGE to you! You will also receive a certificate good for your first Re-honing of the razor Free of Charge!

No one else offers you both these services free of charge!"

Why mess around? Send it out now. The quicker you send, the quicker you get back. Just sayin'

Post back

Oh yeah... I'm planning on using that. I wanted to get the loupe (next week), so I can closely inspect the blade (and the Spike as a reference), so that I can learn more about my mistakes.

Yes, I'll put more info area in sig. I'm in NH, near the Manchester area.

Just an update...

I ordered a Naniwa 12K and DMT 325, a member is sending me some Cr-Ox, and I think I have a bead on a bench strop.

I still need to PM members in the area to see if anyone can help show me honing techniques.

I've been doing 50 strokes on the webbing and 100+ on the leather strop, being careful about pressure. It "seems" like the one small shiny spot is gone, and the other is less pronounced, but maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part

It does look like the corner on the toe has a tiny rolled edge. Just moving my fingernail from spine to edge, it snags right at the corner, on the one side (only). I must have bumped it on the sink. Glad I'm taking peoples' advice and keeping it totally away from the sink. I can hear it, when stropping on that side, especially on the webbing.

If I want to try to fix that issue (I'm thinking of trying and sending in for the free hone, if unsuccessful), what would be the approach? Try the 12k? Straight strokes, x pattern or other? How many strokes to try, before reassessing? It sounds like I should try highest possible, before going to lower grits.

When I get the loupe next week, I'll look at the bevel to see how that is.

Put a layer of tape on the spine and lap the 12k stone with the DMT. Pencil grit at least twice and make sure to spin the stone 180 degrees.

Look at the edge and mark any shiny spots with a dot of sharpie ink use a contrasting color, red, blue or green, on the bevel so you can easily find the problem area with the loupe.

Now do 10 lite laps, weight of the blade pressure. You blade was probably honed without tape so you will just be honing the edge or one third of the blade.

Now look at the edge and see if all the shiny spots are gone. The 12K Super Stone is pretty aggressive and should remove small chips in 10 laps.

If need be, do 10 more and inspect.

If all are removed, do 10 lite laps on Chrome Oxide on a Foam Core 3 inch paddle, Dollar store Foam Core makes a better paddle, the paper is rougher. Make sure your Chrome Ox is razor quality.

Then 50 on leather make sure to wipe your blade well. Make sure to use lite pressure on all stropping, especially the Chrome Ox strop.

Yes, I know you may not reset the bevel with 10 laps or 20. The goal is to refresh the edge and get you shaving not do a complete bevel set on a 12K.

@Euclid440 thanks! I just need to wait for some of the items to come in and I can give it a try.