Thread: Sharpening the razor

I've read everything I can find on sharpening, watched all the video's on youtube. I've bought the Norton Stone 4K & 8K, have three or four razors of verious types, and still I can't get the razor sharp.

I know (at least I think) i'm doing most every thing correct but still can't get the razor to pass the hair test. They feel sharp and I've been shaving with a straight razor daily for over two months. They seem to give me a good shave but not as well as every one else says they get from theirs. I am beginning to think there is a trick to the hair cutting test. I also use the blade on the ball of the thumb test but I think that is a little subjective but I am beginning to tell some difference in the feel of the blade.

My question is: Am I the only newbe that just can't quite get it right. I must be doing something wrong or maybe, I don't quite have the test figured out yet. So, I'm open to any and all suggestions. Being almost 70, and being married for over 45years, I've learned to take some criticism so I won't be offended.

Gary

i'm a newbie too. maybe you need another finer hone. i also have a 12k naniwa. i think that most of the masters have a finer grit then an 8k. just my two cents

Check the pressure you put on the blade while honing-- unless you are doing bevel reset work, need to be as light as possible, especially at the last stages (just the weight of the blade, and some people even try to "lift" a little to go even lighter, although I don't quite see how to do that).

-Chief

not sure why you want to pass some hair test.

if you think your razors are not where they should be better get one of them honed by an expert, that would be a much better benchmark in my opinion.

other than that honing is fairly simple, but that doesn't mean it is easy to master. afik the only way is more practice. I think in about hundred razors you should have a relatively good idea about it.

I am assuming you're trying to do the Hanging Hair Test? Plucking a hair , holding it horizontally and trying to cut it. If this is the test I don't find it 100% necessary to pass. If you shave with the razor with acceptable results why make it jump through more hoops than it needs to?

Maybe I do need a 12K. Although I read where some folks use sandpaper ect. Others claim a 8K is enough, I think my problem is I don't know sharp from dull. I get a decent shave but the razor won't pass the hair test.

If you are talking about the "hanging hair test" don't bother. Its a parlor trick and has no relevence with regard to shaving. I can make a very sharp razor fail this test, and conversely, can make my kitchen knives pass it.

If you are not getting a good shave, it may be that your razors are not sharp enough, or it may be that your technique needs work. There is no way anyone can advise you on this via email or posting.

You might consider having a razor honed professionally and then give it a test shave without stropping or any other work on the edge on your part. If you get a great shave with this blade, then you need to work on your honing/stropping. If not, then you need to work on your technique.

Hi Gary,

It's possible that you're getting your razors plenty sharp on the hone, but need to pay a little more attention to the stropping. You didn't mention if you are using any strops with paste (polishing compound); perhaps a Chromium Oxide strop might do the trick to get your razor to where it suits you. Of course you might not even need to use a pasted strop; if you have one, a little careful stropping on a canvas strop, then finishing on the leather can work wonders.

Cheers,
Jeff

Hello Gary, SRP founder Lynn Abrams says the main test is the shave. So if you are getting a decent shave you are doing alright. One way to get the thumb pad test (TPT) memorized is to use a known sharp blade such as a double edge or single edge razor blade to learn the feel of it.

In my experience it took me a lot of honing on a lot of razors to begin to know what I was doing and I still learn a little something during each honing session. For the first year I was kind of feeling my way in the dark not knowing how it was going to turn out.

Member Heavydutysg135 said on his excellent video series that most razors that members sent to him when they couldn't get them sharp needed further work on the bevel setting.

If you're getting good shaves that may not be an issue. The hanging hair test is nice to pass. I have usually found that if my razor passes it will be after my routine 50 linen and 50 leather stropping. Like you I've found that even if it doesn't pass I am getting good .... mostly great shaves doing two passes.

Like the other gentlemen said, send one of those razors out to Lynn or one of the other honemiesters and when you get it back you'll have something to compare your honing results with.

Hi Gary, to answer your question, no you aren't the only newbie out there who "can't quite get it right." I've got an ebay special I've been practising on. I can get it to the point of a fairly comfortable shave, it pulls a little. It will definitely get the job done. But to get it to the point it doesn't pull, that's the challenge I'm faced with ATM. I'm like you, I've done the reading, watched the videos, I know intellectually what to do. It's just a matter of practice. We'll both get there eventually.

It's been mentioned in this thread and we hear it constantly, get a blade honed by a honemeister, so we have a reference. And you know what? It's one of the best things I've done. Surprised? Yes it gave me a benchmark. I know what it feels like to have a blade glide and not pull as I shave. But even more importantly it has given me feedback on my stropping technique. I learned that my stropping was actually dulling the blade a little. The blade didn't pull after the honemeister stropped it, but then I stropped and it pulled. I was pretty disappointed, but thanks to Bruce and ChrisL I had a chrome ox pasted paddle. I go that out, gave the blade 10 passes, modified my stropping technique, and the blade was back not pulling.

In order to sharpen and keep our blades sharp we have hones and strops. Both are equally important. It's like golf, you might have one heck of a drive, but where's your short game at? If you have no short game, you have no game, no mater how far you can blast off the tee. If you get a shave ready razor, then you can practice your short game. Once you have a razor or two you're confident in maintaining, then practice honing on one of the others. That's my advice from one newbie to another.

OK, got off on a little tangent there Gary. I'm sure you now all this stuff. I guess I just needed to get a few things off my chest. Best of luck to you.