what is over honing?

I have been shaving with a straight for several weeks now and have had a lot of success. I have been learning honing from the resources here and have honed (out of necessity) my new 44/20 brand (a Dovo?) 5/8 roundpoint to where it gives me a reasonably nice shave. Then I bought an old Genco at an antique store a few days ago and honed it, and I find its a smoother shave than my 44/20. So, back to the 44/20 and rehoned it, and I improved it but its stilll not as smooth as the Genco. So I am wondering if the 44/20 is "overhoned". Is that really possible? I am using 3m microabrasive film (.5 micron) for the final polishing and under a microscope at 60 X it looks pretty smooth. The other difference between the 2 razors is the Genco is a much thinner/lighter blade (almost a singing blade?). Maybe its stilll my technique.

Yea, its possible. Just do some circular honing then return to forward honing. Pay attention as the blade gets sharper and sharper with each iteration. Lets say you add 20 strokes on 8K each time.

When the blade starts getting duller, your overhoning.

Its really that simple. Do more circular honing, then use only enough strokes to get the blade where it was before, its most sharpest.

THEN STOP!

Check out this link: http://straightrazorpalace.com/downl...?do=file&id=67

Download and go to PDF page 44 (page 69 of the book) and read the section on honing.



Scott