Thread: Not really shure if I have a problem

Originally Posted by Bart

I think you probably just took a leap in shaving skill.
Whether you learned something about honing, I'm not so sure. (only joking)
...
What's your method of honing? Edge testing? Pasted strops for finishing?
Maybe we can help figuring out what's happening with that edge, if you tell us.

Bart.

For honing I use Norton 4000/8000, then TM strop, first linen then leather side, not pasted.
If it was just my first razor, I'd say it is all my fault, but I already restored a Boker and it shaves great, with all the same steps of honing and stropping. Then I got another str8 from one of the members here that I touched up lightly and that shaves beautify. As a reference I have a TI from classicshaving.com honed by Lynn, interestingly enough if felt somewhat similar to this Wapi before I stropped it with ~50 passes.

So I'd buy the theory about wire edge, but most likely it needs lots of stropping. I'd like to try a pasted strop, but do not want to do it on my almost new latigo from TM. Also may be being not a full hollow ground, like my other razors, it needs a different angle.

Well, your second shave will tell you more. I don't use a Norton myself, but since so many guys use something to finish the edge afterwards, I reckon that 8K side might need a lot of stropping. It's not impossible that you had the slightest bit of a wire edge, that dissipated almost immediately by shaving a couple hundreds of whiskers.
I don't know about the angle theory: cutting angles of different razors don't variate that much. I don't think the grind of a razor comes into play with the angle you need to use on your face.

Gssixgun's advice to backhone 3 laps and finish again on the 8K can't possibly hurt, so I'd go with that, if the second shave doesn't really work out as great as the first.


Slightly
All kinds of funny things happened to my razors while I was learning to hone. but mostly the opposite of what you experienced: smooth shaving edges crumbling away mid shave. But looking back now... By nature, I'm a very optimistic wishful thinker. I probably often stood in front of my mirror while test-shaving, experiencing the self fulfilling prophecy of a well honed razor, only to find reality catching up with me, with each shaving stroke. Without wanting to be offensive, maybe, just maybe, your a bit more pessimistic than me, and expected that edge not to shave well, only to find out after a few shaving strokes that you did a good job after all? I know that the mind can play funny tricks. Ever saw people firewalking on hot coals?

Bottom line, I think your doing just fine.

Have a nice day,

Bart.

Wapi's have stiffer blades, so they are a little more unforgiving when it comes to finding the correct shaving angle.

When using full hollows, I find that I can get away with using angles outside the norm and still get a fantastic shave. The full hollows tend to flex a little you see which compensates for error.

Wapi's are great for learning to hone with as they are cheap and not much of a loss financially if you screw up. Whereas I believe full hollow grind blades are better to learn to shave with. The unbalanced heavy handle also makes it more difficult for a beginner to use with regard stropping & shaving as they have a different 'feel' to them.

Originally Posted by Bart

...


Slightly
All kinds of funny things happened to my razors while I was learning to hone. but mostly the opposite of what you experienced: smooth shaving edges crumbling away mid shave. But looking back now... By nature, I'm a very optimistic wishful thinker. I probably often stood in front of my mirror while test-shaving, experiencing the self fulfilling prophecy of a well honed razor, only to find reality catching up with me, with each shaving stroke. Without wanting to be offensive, maybe, just maybe, your a bit more pessimistic than me, and expected that edge not to shave well, only to find out after a few shaving strokes that you did a good job after all? I know that the mind can play funny tricks. Ever saw people firewalking on hot coals?

Bottom line, I think your doing just fine.

Have a nice day,

Bart.

You are probably right about my pessimistic view. I'd rather be surprised then disappointed.

As in the next comment it is probably true that the WAPI blade is a bit stiffer and not as forging as a full hollow grind, plus the heavy scales make it a bit awkward to handle at first. I think I need to give it at least a couple of more tries before I start making any conclusions.

Thank you guys.

Be patient mate, it's a sloooow process.