Thread: No clue, no microscope, first honing, shave test average

Cornelius, when you do the TPT it shouldn't cut you. Touch the blade very lightly and if it is sharp it will grab the skin. If it is dull your thumb pad will slide along as if it were on ice. The duller the more it slides and the sharper the more it grabs. I was told to use a new DE blade to practice the TPT and that helped a lot. You'll like the microscope.

Originally Posted by Cornelius

I think I get the idea

Not that nobody never told me before

yes, that's also about the only way we can get some objective information on the blade over the internet, so it's kind of a prerequisite for troubleshooting. but you'll probably be able to tell the issues when you look at it yourself

Thank you. It will be the first time I'll use a microscope, so I'll have to figure out how much to magnify and then be able to identify what I'm seeing. I have an approximate idea from the pictures I've seen on here, but having you guys look at the images sure is a huge help. I hope the microscope I bought is ok. Sounds ok from the specs with the magnification, resolution and USB port, but I'm unsure about the lighting. We'll see. Thanks again!

Originally Posted by Cornelius

Thank you. It will be the first time I'll use a microscope, so I'll have to figure out how much to magnify and then be able to identify what I'm seeing. I have an approximate idea from the pictures I've seen on here, but having you guys look at the images sure is a huge help. I hope the microscope I bought is ok. Sounds ok from the specs with the magnification, resolution and USB port, but I'm unsure about the lighting. We'll see. Thanks again!

You might need to add a desk light to really bounce that light off the edge and reveal the bevel. Regardless of your method I am lookin' forward to the pics.

You might try using a permanent marker to paint the bevels of the razor before honing on the Coticule. After 5-20 laps you will be able to see if your Coticule is actually working the edge. You can reapply the ink as often as needed throughout the honing process.

• If it isn't yet working out to the very edge, then go to something like 1200 to 4000 to set the edge.
• If it is working the edge, maybe your downward pressure is a bit too heavy.

When I first started honing razors, it was difficult to convince myself that super-light and even finishing strokes really do make a great difference.

This is something you probably did: Is your coticule lapped flat?

Good luck,

Originally Posted by joke1176

You might need to add a desk light to really bounce that light off the edge and reveal the bevel. Regardless of your method I am lookin' forward to the pics.

That reminds me I have a softbox (light tent) and 2 5,000 K light sources, I should be alright by putting these next to the microscope.

Originally Posted by Sticky

You might try using a permanent marker to paint the bevels of the razor before honing on the Coticule. After 5-20 laps you will be able to see if your Coticule is actually working the edge. You can reapply the ink as often as needed throughout the honing process.

• If it isn't yet working out to the very edge, then go to something like 1200 to 4000 to set the edge.
• If it is working the edge, maybe your downward pressure is a bit too heavy.

When I first started honing razors, it was difficult to convince myself that super-light and even finishing strokes really do make a great difference.

This is something you probably did: Is your coticule lapped flat?

Good luck,

Good suggestion with the marker - in the beginning, that's probably all I need. I've read about it, but never tried it. Will do, thanks!

Yes, the coticule is flat. I bought it lapped from Bruno on here, drew a pattern with a marker onto it, lapped it with the DMT 325 and realized it was flat as promised.