Thread: Can't get sharp enough

Thanks for validating my feeling about the Bergischer Lowe! I was wondering if I was being silly. I hope Lynn can fix the TI, I did way too much (bad) honing on that sucker.

One question that I have after rabidly reading all of the guides, manuals and suggestions is the mositened thumb test.

Should you gently glide your thumb along the blade or it is more of a perpenticular, touch-directly movement?

I realize that you are seeking a sense of stickiness, but is it more like a stickiness associated with a sticky spot on a dining table or it is more like the stickiness associated with the Post-It paper pads? Another words, how "grabby" should the blade feel?

-joedy

I'm not the best person to answer this (so more senior honemeisters will correct me if I'm wrong), but I think the razor has to be rubbed lightly in a direction that is perpindicular to the blade (i.e. like you're shaving your thumb with the razor at a 90 degree angle to your face). If you move even a dullish blade along your finger however lightly, it will cut your finger open. The stickiness is hard to describe, it's not like you describe. It just kind of catches over your skin without cutting you as thogh you were "rubbing something the wrong way." Imagine sliding a turntable needle across a record. If you've done this with a dull razor, you'll see that it just slides over your thumb smoothly. As I mentioned below, a really keen singing blade will also make a super high pitched noise if it's sharp (from vibrating on your thumbprints?), whereas a dull razor does not.

Originally Posted by Joedy

One question that I have after rabidly reading all of the guides, manuals and suggestions is the mositened thumb test.

Should you gently glide your thumb along the blade or it is more of a perpenticular, touch-directly movement?

I realize that you are seeking a sense of stickiness, but is it more like a stickiness associated with a sticky spot on a dining table or it is more like the stickiness associated with the Post-It paper pads? Another words, how "grabby" should the blade feel?

-joedy

If you glide your thumb along the edge, the only stickiness you'll get is your blood all over the blade. The test is done by lightly sliding your thumb ACROSS the edge at a few places (either end and the middle) along the edge. Your looking for the edge to grab the thumb and move with it. As the razor sharpens up you can also feel a sharp edge forming as it nears keenness. You can calibrate your thumb by practicing with a fresh single edged razor blade.

A dull edge will allow the thumb to slide smoothly across. If you're using the thumbnail test first to decide when to come off the medium hone, the edge will already have some grab at that point. You then want to keep working on the fine hone, testing frequently, and you'll feel the grab increase and the edge sharpening. The thumb test is the only one I know that lets you sense degrees of sharpness. With the HHT it's go- nogo.

Originally Posted by russellnyc

a really keen singing blade will also make a super high pitched noise if it's sharp (from vibrating on your thumbprints?), whereas a dull razor does not.

THat's because it's sticking to the thumb and, to free it, you're actually plucking the blade.

I would love to check out your TI, I've been thinking about buying one for a long time. If you'd like it honed just let me know, I would gladly do it just for the chance to see one in person before buying.

My BL feels so light... I hardly ever use it.

Hey, thanks for the offer, I sent it to Lynn last week. It is a beautiful object in person, that's for sure.

Well, let me say very publicly that Lynn's reputation is WELL deserved. The Thiers-Issard returned to me so sharp, it simply wiped my face clean. I had tried so hard to hone that thing, how on earth.... It makes me want to sell my waterstone and never try honing again. Anyway I already sent him 2 other razors to work on. Once he's done I'll have 4 good razors in my rotation.

I will say though, that even beautifully shaving sharp, I think this razor is too small and light. It is far less forgiving than my Bergischer Lowe, which I now know is equally sharp.

Originally Posted by russellnyc

Well, let me say very publicly that Lynn's reputation is WELL deserved. The Thiers-Issard returned to me so sharp, it simply wiped my face clean. I had tried so hard to hone that thing, how on earth.... It makes me want to sell my waterstone and never try honing again. Anyway I already sent him 2 other razors to work on. Once he's done I'll have 4 good razors in my rotation.

Russell,

Selling the stones and sending out razors is actually a very viable alternative for lots of guys. Many guys just don't have the time or patience to learn to hone or maybe just not the desire. Nothing wrong with starting with a few shave ready razors and letting Lynn or El or Joe, etc..... work them over once or twice a year. you know it's done right, the price is very fair and it frees up time.
I have sent a few of mine or to both Lynn and El and was always thrilled. I spend enough time making things for other people so rarely have time to really sit and work with my blades. I enjoy the shaving more than the honing so it's an option I plan to use more and more.

Tony

Thanks Tony, I appreciate that. I do feel more than a little defeated. I actually do enjoy honing and taking the time to work the blade, but my results are so terrible, the razor was better off before. I have a set of Wusthof knives in the kitchen, and I'm terrified to use the sharpening steel for fear of completely ruining them!

I think you really put your finger on one thing though, I also love shaving the most, and shaving is even more amazing with a razor that is this perfect. It's like ironing shirts, something I also like to do myself but prefer to pay for -- mostly because in New York, places that iron shirts to perfection are cheap, fast, and ubiquitous.

By the way, I love the strops I bought from you. Aside from being beautiful pieces, they have also kept my razor hanging hair sharp. When will I have to re-paste them?