Hi,

I have a very nice razor that gave excellent shaves when I first got it from a member here. The shaves were really smooth, not painful, and close in one go. The quality degraded since I first got it to the point where it was painful to shave my lip and chin area, so I decided I needed to hone it up. I have the SpyderCo fine and ultra fine stones.

When I began, the razor could barely cut my arm hair and when it did, it was more of a pull than a clean cut. I did 10 laps on the fine, 20 on the ultra-fine. I tried the arm-hair test and was amazed by how the hairs just popped. I then stropped; 20 passes on the linen, 40 on the strop itself. I then showered, and shaved.

The shave was as painful as it was before I honed the razor. I could tell it was cutting, but I could feel pull around the lip and chin area as well. The shave was as close as it was before, but with more effort and I got nicked a couple times.

Now I am wondering, what should the next step be? Should I try to hone it up more, or should I try to strop more? How can I test the sharpness of the razor? I know about the thumb test but I could never understand it. Can you describe the successful arm-hair test, and what it should do?

Thanks,
E