Thread: HHT-sharp not sharp enough?

The paddle and pastes are a good option for maintaining an edge and getting it just a little sharper. I think also, there is a need for a little smoothness on the bevels to get that squeegie effect which can be reapplied with paddles and pastes. Additionally, they can improve stropping.

Sounds like your honing is going great too. I think if you curl your pinky under the scale you'll be able to push up slightly on the scales and get the edges even along the entire edge of your other razors. You can attack the razor I honed anytime and return it if you need to. If it were me I'd push it lightly over 8 or 12 K a few passes, I bet it starts to improve for you. Just go slow, use a light touch, and keep the blade flat. At the same time . . .

. . . your probably still in that area where technique has a lot to do with it.

I think most beginners go through a stage where they do well on their cheeks and need practice on the goatee area (or finish with a DE).

You can complain all you want, its a forum. And I don't view it as complaining. We are here entirely to support you. If we don't hear from you we assume everything is ok.

This morning I got about 90 percent of my shave done with a razor I honed myself on my Norton 4/8K. It's especially satisfying because this eBay special had about six HUGE nicks in it--almost as deep as the bevel. I worked them out with a course Arkansas stone and honed it up on my Norton.

I can't get my edges even yet. It's funny how I have different problems with different razors. This one gets terrifyingly sharp on the toe and sharp on the heel, but the middle won't quite pass the HHT. Another razor that has a slight smile gets sharp in the middle but won't cut on the toe and heel. My X patterns still aren't even, I guess.

I'm thinking next month I'm going to get a paddle strop and some pastes to help me get to the next level while I work on my honing. It sounds like I should get the .5 and .25 pastes. Are those good to start with?

My face feels great this morning. I'm actually finding that learning the straight is easier than learning my DEs. I think all that knowledge I picked up from DE shaving--direction of beard growth, prep, making lather--is helping with the straight.

Thanks for all the help,
Josh

your razors could have slightly curved or bent spines. i had one like this i couldn't figure out for a while why it would get sharp in the middle and not the ends. i couldn't tell it was bent until i removed the scales and then it became obvious.

by the way, using an X pattern while you hone should allow you the pressure/angle differencial to compensate for this. i have 3inch wide hones so i could hone straight, however i now always use an X pattern as my results are consistant and complete.

~J