Thread: My razor won't get sharp..

Hi everybody!

I have been into the straight razoring now for a couple of weeks. And my shaves have gone from terrible to less terrible..

My problem seems to be the sharpness of the razor. When i do my first pass, there are typically quite a lot of hair left, it also drags on my face and isn't all that comfortable.

I use a Norton 4000/8000 grit stone. As I just got my hands on Lynn's DVD, I now know I have been using to much pressure when honing. But still my edge isn't keen, even after trying Lynn's pyramid honing. I don't have any finer stones or diamond paste..

The strop I'm using was something i got off ebay, not the best i presume. But atleast genuine leather.

The razor is supposed to be a NOS, I suspect it's a OS. It spells SOLINGEN on the shaft, and 41 Albert Dörner Haan-Solingen on one side of the blade. On the other it spells Made From Kayser Ellison&co's Best Sheffield Silver Steel.
The blade is quite small, I think 4/8.

Anybody got an idea of what to do?

Thanks,
Thomas
-Norway

First off Welcome to SRP! Now quickly to your question.

It can be a pretty difficult thing to get a razor shave ready on a hone. That being said, it is not impossible for someone to learn but it is MUCH easier if they know what they are trying to achieve. I would suggest getting in touch with a honemeister near you and getting them to put a shave ready edge on your blade. That way, you will have an Idea of what a sharp razor should feel like when you go to hone yourself. This also allows you to concentrate on building a good shaving technique.

Some folks would rather learn everything right off the bat. If that sounds like you, then I would suggest reading all the stickies in the honing section and learning about setting the bevel. Then check out this great set of videos: http://straightrazorpalace.com/videos/21876-progressive-straight-razor-honing-clinic-9-part-video-series.html

No matter what, it will be much easier to learn with a shave ready blade from a honemeister to compare it to.

Good Luck!

-Rob

I think having a shave ready standard to go by is a great idea. However when you get there on your own you will know.

Making your own paddle strop is fairly simple, just make sure you get a flat piece for your wooden substrate. I think it is far easier to learn a consistant stroke with a paddle, and you could add some paste to one side.

Then get to shaving, searching old threads, and ask questions.

I started shaving in the evenings so I could devote more time to problem solving. When shaving in the morning and things weren't going right I'd fall back on my old methods of shaving to get out the door, but then I'd have to wait until next day to see if I had made progress with my edge.

I would especially search threads on technique, it sounds like you may have too much angle and too straight line direction of cut.

But all that is one noobie to another so take it fwiw

I started with a shave ready razor and managed to mess up my edge after only a couple of weeks. I simply used a paddle strop with some chromium oxide paste on it and then stropped with my hanging to get it back into shape. I'm pretty new at this as well and it's great to have a forum devoted to helping us when we stubble, er, stumble. Bad shaving pun, I know. If you can't use them here, then where?

I think many of us will agree that even a skilled honer will not get a great edge off an 8000 grit stone. you can shave with it, but it won't be magnificent.

My finest stone is only 6000. Between that and a very cheap paddle strop with aluminum oxide powder, I get an edge that does a great job. I think he should eventually be able to get a very good edge with an 8000 grit stone.

Originally Posted by Legatia

Hi everybody!

I have been into the straight razoring now for a couple of weeks. And my shaves have gone from terrible to less terrible..

My problem seems to be the sharpness of the razor. When i do my first pass, there are typically quite a lot of hair left, it also drags on my face and isn't all that comfortable. Yep a dull razor, how dull is the question???? Does it pop arm hairs???? easily????

I use a Norton 4000/8000 grit stone. As I just got my hands on Lynn's DVD, I now know I have been using to much pressure when honing. But still my edge isn't keen, even after trying Lynn's pyramid honing. I don't have any finer stones or diamond paste.. Which pyramid did you use and how many times did you use it?????

The strop I'm using was something i got off ebay, not the best i presume. But atleast genuine leather. Just so long as it is smooth and in good shape it will do.... In a pinch just regular old folded newspaper can help after the leather strop....

The razor is supposed to be a NOS, I suspect it's a OS. It spells SOLINGEN on the shaft, and 41 Albert Dörner Haan-Solingen on one side of the blade. On the other it spells Made From Kayser Ellison&co's Best Sheffield Silver Steel. That makes me believe that it might have had the original factory bevel on there (not good) which would make me think that the aggressive pyramid is in order maybe twice....

The blade is quite small, I think 4/8. Sometimes the small blades are actually harder to hone just because they are harder to keep flat on the hone...

Anybody got an idea of what to do?
Those pyramids are designed to sneak up on a shaving edge, and to keep Norton users from over-honing the razor... That 4k/8k Norton is more than adequate to get you a nice sharp shaving edge, It justs takes some patience.... One of the things that I would warn against, DON"T rush it, take yer time just like any learned skill you have to work at it..
Try doing an arm hair test after each pyramid, it is one of the easiest tests there is, if it is popping arm hairs you are in the ball park, if not you are not even close... Once you get it popping arm hairs easily, on the whole edge, then go 10 more very light laps on just the 8k, strop, and test shave...

Thanks,
Thomas
-Norway

Thomas : I just am going to hit the reset button and try and take each question for you....
BTW where are you in Norge, I lived outside Oslo for 3 years

I think we have a member from Norway.

Welcome to the forum. The razor you've got has a rather good reputation, so I suspect it's just a matter of skill and patience to get it right. Follow glen's suggestions, or send it to a honemeister.
I guess if this thread continues to be mostly on honing I shall move it to the honing section of the forums. I think for now it's fine here.

Hi and welcome, it's nice to see another Norwegian here