Thread: Just a little sharper, please.

Currently, I am using a Primble razor hone for sharpening (touch ups) but still can't seem to reach the degree of sharpness I would consider "Good". It's hit and miss so to speak and I was wondering if anyone could give me an educated guess on the grit of this hone and where do I go from here to get my razors up to a good shaving edge. BTW, my strop is junk but I use it the best I can for now. Perhaps just a good grade strop would make the difference?, or should I be looking at a different stone?
Just getting started honeing so... maybe my technique?
Seems I'm scraping hair off as much as cutting it sometimes!

Willie

Originally Posted by Willie

Currently, I am using a Primble razor hone for sharpening (touch ups) but still can't seem to reach the degree of sharpness I would consider "Good". It's hit and miss so to speak and I was wondering if anyone could give me an educated guess on the grit of this hone and where do I go from here to get my razors up to a good shaving edge. BTW, my strop is junk but I use it the best I can for now. Perhaps just a good grade strop would make the difference?, or should I be looking at a different stone?
Just getting started honeing so... maybe my technique?
Seems I'm scraping hair off as much as cutting it sometimes!

Willie

You mean just start to honing or shaving?
if you strop is crap then doesn't matter what type edge you will have strop will kill it.
the cheapest is Kenrup strop and it is worth every cent you spend for it.
Second about your hone.
hard to say anything without getting more information from You.
have you ever had razor sharpened someone honemeister ?
will help you to know how shave ready should feel like. this is minimum requirement.
lets us know all the stones you have?
Lastly be patient.

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

You mean just start to honing or shaving?
if you strop is crap then doesn't matter what type edge you will have strop will kill it.
the cheapest is Kenrup strop and it is worth every cent you spend for it.
Second about your hone.
hard to say anything without getting more information from You.
have you ever had razor sharpened someone honemeister ?
will help you to know how shave ready should feel like. this is minimum requirement.
lets us know all the stones you have?
Lastly be patient.

What he said!

Just started str8 shaving (3wks), just started to try to hone. Have not purchased a "real" strop yet...been looking. Have never had a professional honed razor, the ones I have were fairly sharp but nothing to compare to as far as "comfortably sharp". New to this arena but enjoying the process none the less. The one and only stone I own is the Primble razor hone...so far.
So... #1: get a professional to hone one of my razors so I have a comparison.
#2: get a decent strop to work with.
I'll take that advice! Tired of guessing!
Could you recommend a Honemeister?

Willie

Just checked the classifieds for Honeing services...will work from there thanks.

Willie

Great if you will need more help just ask. Be patient.
Gl

Originally Posted by Willie

#1: get a professional to hone one of my razors so I have a comparison.
#2: get a decent strop to work with.
I'll take that advice! Tired of guessing!

Sounds like a plan, I think most people will strop and oil the razor before mailing it back to you, in which case don't strop it before shaving. Check with the person who you send your razor to.

I strop with a zeepk strop (already bought a replacement) which is probably the worst strop available.

It works fine.

If stropping is the problem, it's more likely technique than equipment. Make sure you do enough passes and they must ALL be done properly.

Also, shaving technique matters. I have a shave ready off forums my first shave. It was probably my least comfortable shave yet. I STILL haven't figured out every angle for my face, but every shave gets a little better.


Subnote: Personally I'm starting to suspect that all the "useless" razors, "zeepk, master, etc" are perfectly usable, but are never AS good as a half decent razor and are VERY unforgiving to beginners (hence their general hatred here). I and other's have shaved off of knives at what would be absurdly low grit hones. People are spoilt and the advice that is given to improve noob's shave is generally delivered in hyperbole. Telling them that a bad razor is going to kill your first born and eat your cat, then set your home on fire and dance about in the flames mocking your tears... And so forth.

Now I'm all for getting a shave as excellent as possible... but I also think that these things need to be looked at rationally. In other words, I sincerly doubt your problem is rooted in your owning a cheap strop. People can strop on freaking newspaper and if the technique is there get a perfectly acceptable blade. Frankly, all the hyperbole on forums often gets out of control. Someone posted that they'd shaved with a zeepk earlier today and people responded as if they'd witnessed the second coming. Yes, zeepks are bad razors. Any razor that is included free with a $15 strop is going to be bad. (Yes this was an actual offer on eBay) But they are still Razors. They can shave. It's just a bad idea to use them when there are much better alternatives available. I can stuff newspaper in a windbreaker to make a winter coat. But I could also go to goodwill and buy a nice winter coat for $10-20. Obviously the second option is much, much better. But that doesn't mean the first option won't make me a heck of a lot warmer.

Edit: drinking makes me forget my main point.


I'd practice stropping and ensure I was doing it correctly before I'd go investing a great deal more money under the assumption that my equipment was at fault.

IanS:

I agree with many points...the problem was I picked up two razors (Engels) which were giving "fair" shaves, I doubt in all seriousness they were honed by a honemeister. Razors are in very good condition except for sharpness. I was trying carefully, following technique/advice given here to strop them but I was losing the edge from what the original was. I thought a quick hone might get them up to par again and it helped somewhat but still not what I'm thinking they should be after stropping. Which is leading me to believe my stropping is at fault coupled with the disadvantage of using a nine inch piece of 3" leather belt I had laying around. A good strop could possibly get me on the right track to stropping properly which would go hand in hand with improving the cutting edge. I agree I don't need to get mired down with slurry's, stones, grits, etc. at this point (I'll save that fun for the future) I just want a decent shave again and work my way up from there.

Thanks for your reply, I appreciate your views.

Willie

Originally Posted by Willie

IanS:

I agree with many points...the problem was I picked up two razors (Engels) which were giving "fair" shaves, I doubt in all seriousness they were honed by a honemeister. Razors are in very good condition except for sharpness. I was trying carefully, following technique/advice given here to strop them but I was losing the edge from what the original was. I thought a quick hone might get them up to par again and it helped somewhat but still not what I'm thinking they should be after stropping. Which is leading me to believe my stropping is at fault coupled with the disadvantage of using a nine inch piece of 3" leather belt I had laying around. A good strop could possibly get me on the right track to stropping properly which would go hand in hand with improving the cutting edge. I agree I don't need to get mired down with slurry's, stones, grits, etc. at this point (I'll save that fun for the future) I just want a decent shave again and work my way up from there.

Thanks for your reply, I appreciate your views.

Willie

Willie
This is how strop works. Strop will straight the edge basically. Strop will not bring sharpness of the edge if it has already damaged.I assume you do have bad strop and your edge already has been damaged(chips etc).
To bring this edge to shaving edge forum you will need to have hones to set new bevel etc.(if edge is fine i would be agree with you ,You don't need to have hone).
I have seen many time fresh honed blade didn't last a months .I check the edge and it is already has chips etc.
Edge is so fine if you do strop wrong or your strop is hard will shorten the life of the edge.
I would say go head send your razor to be honed and get at least 1 blade shave ready. On rest of the razor you can try to rich similar sharpness.hope this helps.