Thread: Help with my edge

the primary cause for the edge dulling is oxidation, not mechanical damage, so the main goal of stropping is to remove this oxidation and then realign the mechanical deformations.
so while the edge is indeed very delicate it is still steel and that's pretty robust. as long as the spine is in contact with the strop there really isn't much damage that you can do even if using pressure as the stropping surface basically moves along the bevel. the rolling of the edge occurs if the spine is lifted as then there is a force perpendicular to the bevel.
so there is no need to be too timid with the stropping, just common sense will be good.

as far as i understand classicshaving offers razors with the factory edge and honed past that and since you got the one that's been honed it should be good. some time ago they utilized the services of Lynn Abrams, but not anymore, still whoever does their honing should be doing at least a reasonable job at it. as i said since the edge is deteriorating over subsequent shaves the most likely cause is ineffective stropping and this should still be fixable. if not you have other options, so one way or another we'll get you going and successful. nothing to worry about.

there are a whole bunch of members in MN, the two off the top of my head are chrisl and bruce, not sure about randydance. In any case they would probably know of somebody nearby you, if there's one.

One thing you may have is metal particles on the edge. If you were to buy a mini-microscope from radio shack priced at about $13.00, you could look at the edge and tell more of what is going on and describe it to us better. We are just quessing even quessing if it has been hand honed.

Originally Posted by gugi

Uhm really? You can tell from a picture problems with an edge that shaves uncomfortably?




OK, unless there is something drastic on the edge pictures won't help and if there is you would notice it yourself. So, let's move on to figure out what may be the problem.

If you kept the spine on the strop and the strop not too sagging chances are you haven't rolled the edge. Especially since the differences you are describing are developing gradually.
I'd say you just need to strop the razor better.
So, first lay the strop flat on the table or counter, that would eliminate the flatness issues.
Then strop 50 times on the linen keeping the spine in contact with the strop. Examine the edge with a wet thumbpad before and after. You should notice a bit of a difference.
Repeat with 50 laps on the leather. Report back if you notice any changes.

Also post where you are located and there may be somebody nearby who would be willing to provide hands on help.

No luck, I tried 50 laps linen then 50 leather on a table edge. Kept the blade flat to the strop and used the weight of the razor for the amount of pressure. It doesn't change anything, catches the hairs doesn't cut them. I e-mailed the place I bought it from but they won't get back to me probably until Monday or Tuesday. So I wait.........

I did however try to shine the edge to look for issues. Should the edge be polished like a mirror? I can see perpendicular lines probably from honing. Maybe it needs to be taken farther and when I tried a couple laps on the 6000 stone I went back wards and need to get a 8000 or even 10,000?

Originally Posted by gugi

the primary cause for the edge dulling is oxidation, not mechanical damage, so the main goal of stropping is to remove this oxidation and then realign the mechanical deformations.
so while the edge is indeed very delicate it is still steel and that's pretty robust. as long as the spine is in contact with the strop there really isn't much damage that you can do even if using pressure as the stropping surface basically moves along the bevel. the rolling of the edge occurs if the spine is lifted as then there is a force perpendicular to the bevel.
so there is no need to be too timid with the stropping, just common sense will be good.

as far as i understand classicshaving offers razors with the factory edge and honed past that and since you got the one that's been honed it should be good. some time ago they utilized the services of Lynn Abrams, but not anymore, still whoever does their honing should be doing at least a reasonable job at it. as i said since the edge is deteriorating over subsequent shaves the most likely cause is ineffective stropping and this should still be fixable. if not you have other options, so one way or another we'll get you going and successful. nothing to worry about.

there are a whole bunch of members in MN, the two off the top of my head are chrisl and bruce, not sure about randydance. In any case they would probably know of somebody nearby you, if there's one.

Now that advice makes me feel more confident that I'm not rolling the edge and now I "should" be able to eliminate that from the problem as I do keep the strop tight and the spine is always riding the strop, never lifted with the edge riding "solo". If anything I have noticed a few times when I start a return lap with the edge lifted off the strop but that's not hurting it, just not helping it. Doesn't happen frequently. Over time I'm sure my wrist movements will be more fluid.

Originally Posted by rllucas9

One thing you may have is metal particles on the edge. If you were to buy a mini-microscope from radio shack priced at about $13.00, you could look at the edge and tell more of what is going on and describe it to us better. We are just quessing even quessing if it has been hand honed.

Great advice, guess who's going to the mall today?