Thread: How fast can you kill an edge?

12k edge. Same test.
To my eyes the 12k edge fares better than a coarser edge.

There are so many variables, angle of shave, prep, razor, etc, etc. When i first started, i found my biggest problem to be stropping, and it took some time for me to realize that, and correct it. For me, now, i am more interested in maximum shaves before hitting the hones. I am up to a modest 26 shaves on one razor, but have had as little as ten shaves from shave ready razors. In all honesty, the biggest problem with learning to shave with a cut throat has been me, operator error.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Nothing definitive but I've seen this all before under the loupe.

2k edge not stropped. Followed by same edge after 10 strokes into an old badger brush 3/4 way down the brush so quite stiff hair. Chunk of steel lost near the tip surrounded by 3 sizeable deformed areas (shiny bits)

Brushes are meant to be hairy Os, shave your face not the brush, or have you got shaving stuff AD? I hope your house isn't carpeted. :-)
Very irreverently
Ed.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

12k edge. Same test.
To my eyes the 12k edge fares better than a coarser edge.

Interesting pictures. May I ask you what loupe did you use?

Originally Posted by Grazor

There are so many variables, angle of shave, prep, razor, etc, etc. When i first started, i found my biggest problem to be stropping, and it took some time for me to realize that, and correct it. For me, now, i am more interested in maximum shaves before hitting the hones. I am up to a modest 26 shaves on one razor, but have had as little as ten shaves from shave ready razors. In all honesty, the biggest problem with learning to shave with a cut throat has been me, operator error.

Yes, I do agree and this is what I said in my first post. There are too many factors determining the life of an edge and stropping in one of the most crucial ones. And, yes, a wrong usage of the razor is also a big problem. One of the many.

Originally Posted by razorguy

Interesting pictures. May I ask you what loupe did you use?

When I hone I use low power jeweller's loupe but for pics I used a USB Veho microscope 20-200x wound up to the highest power. I don't believe it's a true 200x but serves my purposes.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

When I hone I use low power jeweller's loupe but for pics I used a USB Veho microscope 20-200x wound up to the highest power. I don't believe it's a true 200x but serves my purposes.

Thank you. I got you used a loupe for taking those pictures and it seemed quite impressive for a loupe!
Those kind of pictures are in fact what I get when I use a microscope with around 200x magnification. It is an optical microscope with an USB ocular and I guess your Veho is around a real 200x. I too agree 200x is enough for our scope. Pictures at higher magnification (Mine can reach 1280x) are amazing to see but I think they do not add anything interesting in order to understand the quality of honing, saved the fact you can evaluate honing scratches and linearity of the edge/teeth.

Originally Posted by razorguy

Thank you. I got you used a loupe for taking those pictures and it seemed quite impressive for a loupe!
Those kind of pictures are in fact what I get when I use a microscope with around 200x magnification. It is an optical microscope with an USB ocular and I guess your Veho is around a real 200x. I too agree 200x is enough for our scope. Pictures at higher magnification (Mine can reach 1280x) are amazing to see but I think they do not add anything interesting in order to understand the quality of honing, saved the fact you can evaluate honing scratches and linearity of the edge/teeth.

Yes, that would be a good loupe eh ?

I tried a 400 x but found it difficult to use. 1280 x would be interesting.
I think it was JimmyHAD that said something like 'my honing got better as my magnification got lower'.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Yes, that would be a good loupe eh ?

A wonder loupe indeed!

Originally Posted by onimaru55

I tried a 400 x but found it difficult to use. 1280 x would be interesting.

The higher the magnification, the harder to focus the subject. It is however very interesting to see an edge at higher magnifications.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

I think it was JimmyHAD that said something like 'my honing got better as my magnification got lower'.

Definitely! Truly wise words!
I think I need to follow the advice: I am sure I would spend less and less time in honing!