Thread: Unhappy - What am i doing wrong i cant get my edge sharp enough!!!...

I'm really getting frustrated with my straight razors as i cannot get them sharp enough to perform a easy shave.


Equipment:

Norton 4000/8000 combo
Norton flattening stone
Scruppleworks Stropp with linen and leather side

Razors:
Dovo Bergischer Löewe razor
Puma Gold razor


I have tried and i thought they were sharp enough, but i just cannot get a easy shave with them. my DE razors still feel much sharper

i've tried honing on 4000 / 8000 Norton waterstones and really polish the edge to a mirror finish and it feels sharp

but it just will not shave my beard easely

is it enough to use the norton 8000 as finish ? or should i use paste or other honing equipment as last step pefore stropping to shave ready

this i how i did:

1. Honing on 4000 to set the edge and finish with gentle strockes to polish ( checked the edge with a 60x loupe to ensure even nice edge)
2. Honing on 8000 until mirror finish and eaven edge ( checked the edge with a 60x loupe to ensure even nice edge)
3. Linnen Stropping 50 rounds on my scruppleworks stropp on the linen side
4. Leather Stropping 100 rounds on the scruppleworks leather side
5. Tested Shaving with both the Dovo and the Puma

Result

Dovo feels sharper than Puma but still a bit dull on the cuts of my beard as i need to pull harder than DE razors i use

Puma feels less sharp than the Dovo and had to pull more to get the shave completed, not as comfortable as the Dovo


so i guess they are still not sharp enough

what is the trick and how do i get that super sharp edge, i'm really frustrated that i cannot get the edge as sharp as me DE rasors or sharper

i expected Straight razor shave to be less tough to the skin but i guess i'm not getting the blades sharp enough

Magnus

Could I refer you to this thread?

There's an incredible wealth of information here in regards to the Norton 4/8.
Also, ensure your stopping is up to par and your beard prep is also. I know there's a lot to read on the JaNorton thread, but it's well worth it...

More info here.

How many years of experience do you have honing straight razors? You need a sharp bevel and with an overly aggressive 4k edge you'll tear the edge a bit, without lots of practice. Then, you need to polish the blade a bit after you get a good bevel. That way the razor is sharp and smooth.

Don't use linen after the hone, it'll dull the edge.

You must be patient and repeat a perfect stroke.

The trick is to get a couple of years of experience behind you.

How many years of experience do you have honing straight razors?

That question is very disconcerting....lol.

Aren't new DE blades electronically cut and teflon coated? That's a pretty high bar you've got set for yourself. Not to say someone with years of experience couldnt' maybe get close enough for my nerve endings to not tell the difference. But I think maybe your expectations are a bit high my friend.

Why does it dull the edge after honing?

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Don't use linen after the hone, it'll dull the edge.

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

Why does it dull the edge after honing?

I am curious how this is so too, because in my short experience using linen after the hone seems to improve the edge

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

...Don't use linen after the hone, it'll dull the edge. ...

I'm very curious about this too. Any chance you could talk more about this? I tend to pay alot of attention to your posts about stropping - seems an area we haven't recovered as much knowledge as in say honing. 'Loved your thread about over/under stropping.

the two main points I got from reading honing posts are:
- test, test, test (see the wiki or the forum for full explanation about TNT, TPT, MMT, AHT, ....... Test regularly.)
- bevel, bevel, bevel (90% of the honing work is about setting a good, sharp, and even bevel ; after that, 10%, it's only refining the edge without damaging the bevel. Most people focus on the last part because, once your proficient at honing, this is where you have fun and experiment).

I would add that once the bevel is set, don't use heavy pressure, especially when your just starting out, it will probably mess up the bevel - polishing the edge doesn't require heavy pressure, I tend to let the stone do the work after bevel setting.

regards Alex

Joining in to read AF's reply as I am curious about this as well!