Thread: Sharpening the razor

Well I don't know where to start. Most everyone has great advice on how to get the straight Razor sharp and I've tried all them, that's not to say I'm doing it correctly. I'm most interested in the strop suggestions. I have a new leather strop and use it every time before shaving but frankly, don't know if it helps or not.

The basic question is what is a great shave. The old razor seemed to give a good shave but I really like the satisfaction of shaving with a Straight Razor. So that's what I'm trying to master. I may be getting a good shave and don't know it. I've purchased a razor from a professional and it seems to pull and leave stubble like the one's I've "tried" to sharpen. I guess I'm more critical of my shaves now than before. You tend to except the save you are getting after 40 or 50 years and I guess maybe I'm expecting more from the Straight razor than I shood.

Finally, thanks for all the great advice. One suggestion I particularly liked was the idea of using a old style single edge blade as the test to get the feel on your thumb of a really sharp blade. I'm going to give that a try and will let you know how it works out.

It sounds to me as if its in your stropping technique or blade angle as you shave.

+1..
If your honed razor is performing the same as one honed by a pro, sounds like the fault may not be with the blades.
Welcome to the learning curve.

Originally Posted by wi0v

Well I don't know where to start. Most everyone has great advice on how to get the straight Razor sharp and I've tried all them, that's not to say I'm doing it correctly. I'm most interested in the strop suggestions. I have a new leather strop and use it every time before shaving but frankly, don't know if it helps or not.

The basic question is what is a great shave. The old razor seemed to give a good shave but I really like the satisfaction of shaving with a Straight Razor. So that's what I'm trying to master. I may be getting a good shave and don't know it. I've purchased a razor from a professional and it seems to pull and leave stubble like the one's I've "tried" to sharpen. I guess I'm more critical of my shaves now than before. You tend to except the save you are getting after 40 or 50 years and I guess maybe I'm expecting more from the Straight razor than I shood.

Finally, thanks for all the great advice. One suggestion I particularly liked was the idea of using a old style single edge blade as the test to get the feel on your thumb of a really sharp blade. I'm going to give that a try and will let you know how it works out.

Hey there, if you want, for the cost of postage, I'll gladly hone your razor for you and then you can compare if higher grit hone or technique or both are something you need to invest in.

To the op, maybe before you get a 12k, you might want to consider a 1k or equivalent. If your bevel is not set, you can polish all day but it wont be sharp. Using a 4k is doable but may take a very long time if the razor is off. And it literally can take hours if the spine is bent or the toe is short etc. Magic marker test is the first one I use as this tells me how far the blade is from sharp. Regarding the hht tests, I use them and it is one of the ways I know Im advancing on the progression. Thats the reason why I use it. I have to pass hht off the 8k or equivalent or Im not done. And I need to pass it at a higher level after the 12k or equivalent. And then crox and then 50 laps on leather. Every step gives me a better hht and that shows the blade is progressively sharper. The ultimate and only relevant test is the shave test. But I have never had as good a shave as I have with a blade that passes the hht test. Looking at the bevel with a 30x jewelers loupe shows you lots. And the thumb nail test and thumb pad test as well as the hht. I think they are very important as progress is able to be measured. Obviously not every one agrees on this. But saying it feels sharp is an opinion, cutting a hair a half inch from the tip of your finger with no pressure or swiping means to me the shave will be good. Not passing reveals to me Im not done, and that usually means I missed something at a lower grit than I am on. My 2 cents.

I would hope that after 4 years the OP figured it out

Necroposting at its finest...lol

Guys , this is a 4 year old thread. The op probably has a handle on it by now.

Now now, you can't be too sure, for instance, I 've been shaving with a straight for 4 years now and still have some difficulty achieving BBS on my chin...from time to time.

I've been shaving for 4 years and I have no difficulty getting BS on my chin.

James.