Thread: Can't Keep Razor Sharp

Hi Guys,

I switched to a straght from DE a couple of weeks ago. I got a low-end Dovo SS 5/8 razor, 0.5 u diamond paste for one of my leather strops, and dove in.

The edge looked pretty bad under my microscope, so I pasted the strop and went to sharpening. After finishing with linen and bare leather on another strop, I could take slices from hairs on my arm. I'm not exactly sure what a "hanging hair test" is, but I canpop an arm hair in half by pushing the blade against it.

I shaved, which went alright, and then went for 20 passes on the linen followed by 50 on the leather. Back to hair popping sharpness. About 3 shaves later I had to hit the paste again.

My beard is pretty heavy, but I am only getting about 3 shaves before having to go to the paste. There is no wire edge -- I keep tabs with a 20x loupe and a microscope. The edge looks pretty rounded.

I suspect either I am using the razor in a manner that destroys the edge (most likely) or that the razor is too weak for my beard. I couldn't find anything searching, but I would assume this question has been asked before.

Any advice?

Scott

P.S. I have plans to buy a DMT (for lapping) and an 18k or 30k Shapton for future honing.

Scott,

Like most things, there are different strokes for different folks. I keep reading about gents going months on end without honing etc. but even my best razors are asking for a tweak at the end of the week. I don't have a particularly heavy beard though it does seem to be wiry. By tweak I mean a few laps on a chromium oxide pasted strop in my case... or perhaps 10 round trips on my Coticule before the CrO2 if it's been a while. I just happen to like my edges "piquant" rather than super smooth, other gents go the other way. Sounds like you're more in my camp. All that said, your razor might need some slight tweaking on a fine hone or two rather than a pasted strop.Pasted strops are fine but eventually the bevel needs to be brought back to straight and flat and that is best done on a hone or two.

I don't think I'd be concerned about your razor being a lower end Dovo.... yes, razors do make a difference but 90% is in regards to shape/size/finish rather than actual edge performance. My 150+ year old Sheffield razors shave just about as well as my latest custom razor... ok, I admit it... my Joe Chandler DOES shave smoother but it's probably as much the shape and weight plus pride in ownership as it is in brute capability. From my 4/8" Carbo Magnetic to my big wedges to my Joe Chandler custom, they all shave very very well when the edge is honed correctly and like I said, my preference is to tweak them lightly about once a week with a pasted strop or a fine hone. Others have great success with using linen to do the tweaking... I'm trying the same and it does seem to work but not quite as well as a pasted leather strop.... so far.

Regards

Christian

+1 on what is said above.


Pasted strops are great for maintenance, but if the bevel is not set right to begin with they sort of only mask sharpness issues.

I am having a similar issue with my 1/4 grind LeGrelot. I'll take it to the pasted strops, and it will be HHT cutting hairs smoothly and silently (BTW, the HHT is just as you describe, being able to cut unsupported hair in half). But that edge fades rather quickly. I am thinking to take this baby back to the hones to reset the bevel on it.

My Dovo Renaissance, on the other hand I've had about twenty shaves with nothing but leather stropping, and it is still as sharp as day one.


A separate issue may well have to do with technique. When I was first starting my edge would only last one shave, and then it was toast. What I was doing wrong was having too much blade angle. I found that by going to a really shallow blade angle in relation to my face improved shave smoothness, and edge retention dramatically.

Also beard prep helps. Make sure to soften up those whiskers with a hot shower, or hot towels for 3-5 minutes at least before shaving, especially since you have a heavy beard.

Have fun! Figuring this stuff out is part of the enjoyment.

Double-check your stropping technique. That was one of the hurdles I had to clear, and the two-three shave limit before dullness sounds familiar.

j

Originally Posted by Nord Jim

Double-check your stropping technique. That was one of the hurdles I had to clear, and the two-three shave limit before dullness sounds familiar.

j

I was going to suggest that also. I had a similar issue when I started. You might have to strap a lot more at first as well if you occasionally lift the edge off the strap

Thanks guys.

Sounds like I could be suffering from all of the above problems: bad stropping, too much angle, and no hone. I'll work on each of those.

It's great to have this site! Getting good information like this is invaluable.

Scott

Here is what I have seen:

1. Lifting the spine when stropping will dull the razor immediately. You can bring it back a little with a pasted strop, but usually not much. Once this kinda thing starts happening it is downhill from there. The good news is if you know what you are doing, a Swaty or other well lapped barber hone should bring it back with 20 - 50 strokes.

2. Excessive pressure when stropping with very hollow ground Solingen blades can actually crumble the edge. Under the microscope at 100X it looks like an indian has been making arrowheads. The pasted strop will get this to shave (but with some irritation) but if you keep at the hard pressure, it will just get worse and worse.


So, when you are stropping, keep that spine in contact with the strop ALWAYS. If in doubt about your pressure, back off. Feel for the draw. With the correct pressure, the razor engages the strop and you have to work with it to make it move--that's the way I describe it. You should get no reedy or singing noises, just a smooth low sound as you pull or push it. Takes practice.

Also, try rubbing down your strop real hard first, with your palm, to warm it up and soften it. I also use a 2" diameter cylindrical glass bottle on the strop. I go up and down it a few times hard. It really helps to flatten it and improves the draw by 1000%.

Good luck.

Paul

Always remember: a good prep really softens the whiskers and helps to keep your blade sharp.

Originally Posted by Kees

Always remember: a good prep really softens the whiskers and helps to keep your blade sharp.

My initial prep usually is pretty good, but I wonder about subsequent passes. I don't know what the deal is, but on the second (WTG) and third (XTG) passes I notice more difficulty. Not sure if that is from the change in direction, the razor actually getting dull that quickly, or what.

When I am done the razor absolutley requires attention before the next shave. By the end of the third shave it is downright dull.

Is it normal to hear screeching and see sparks on the third pass?

Scott

Originally Posted by beezaur

Is it normal to hear screeching and see sparks on the third pass?

Scott

If you go through wire you'll see sparks..

BTW: try stropping between passes.