Thread: Keen

Hi, advise me please.
I have a new 7/8 Hart Steel blade and its not as sharp as i would like. It just about passes the HHT test but you have to thrust the hair at the blade.
It shaves quite nice since i gave it 50 laps on the Cro spray but i want it a bit more keener.
Should i give it a go on my 16k shapton or maybe start lower on the 8k?
I'm still learning to hone and i dont wanna mess up a new beautiful blade.
I could even run it on my 0.5 diamond spray?
Also last question. Whats your opinions on spray vs paste?
Thanks for being so much like yourselves

As I am sure other members will agree, the hht is not always accurate. To work correctly it would have to be calibrated with your hair on a known good razor since everyone has different hair. If it shaves good, it is probably good....

I would try 5-7 passes only on the 16k Shapton glass, follow by some laps (7) on Crox and shave. If it improves then I would not go to the 8k. If it's not to satisfaction, I would give it another go on the 16k or go down on grit. That would be my approach. Double O

Originally Posted by Chugach68

As I am sure other members will agree, the hht is not always accurate. To work correctly it would have to be calibrated with your hair on a known good razor since everyone has different hair. If it shaves good, it is probably good....

I have a "Not a Replica" blade that is deadly sharp and smooth ,the HHT test is clearly different on that razor.Maybe each blade is an individual..

Originally Posted by JOB15

Also last question. Whats your opinions on spray vs paste?
Thanks for being so much like yourselves

For me spray is easier to apply to mediums like hardwool felt or any other felt type medium, the paste is good with balsa, linen or rough leather. I prefer hard wool felt for medium and buy sprays for that reason. However, my CrOx came on paste and has worked fine on rough leather. Double O

I agree with the above. I don't think you need to go to the 8K and it's always better to avoid doing too much as a matter of razor life extension principle. The nice thing about spray on felt is that you can improve an edge with a few laps in a way that does not take away the smoothing benefits of the stone you used on the blade before it. It is probably the most conservative way to use Crox. Remember that the 16K Shapton, even though it's 16K will cut very fast, as compared to other stones at that grit level, so be careful on how many laps you take on it. At this point in honing making sure your razor is perfectly flat on a perfectly flat stone and that your strokes are as even and light as possible, while true at any level of grit, is most important now.

After you are done with stones and pastes you need to do a very good stropping. In fact I would do about 100 laps before even going back to the hones just to see how it improves the edge.

A lot of guys find the 16k to be a bit harsh, if you go that route, be sure to do at least 10 laps on crox after. I would do 10 on the .50 diamond, that should give you the keeness your looking for. Also, Don't worry about the HHT so much, use the shave as the ultimate test.

Sprays and pastes work equally well for giving you that extra keeness. I like the .50 diamond spary on hard wool felt.
I also like the CBN 160k (spray) on Balsa. To me, it surprisingly keen and smooth.



Good Luck

I think i will first off try they 100 laps on the strop , see how that works because i've been giving it 20 on the cotton and then 40 on the leather.
The shave after that ill try the 10 on the felt 0.5 diamond.
The third shave ill try a few laps of the 16k followed by the Crox.
That should give me some good info.
I only shave once a week but since i've been honing ive upped my game to 2 shaves a week , so i can progress with my skillzzz

The shave test does not require a full shave. Most pro honers shave test several razors per shave. You could try all your experiments in just a few shaves.

Don't forget to strop 60 - 100 laps on a clean leather strop after each touch up. Have fun with your experiments.

Jonathan

Hi, i'm back...
I just honed 2 razors with the 1k/4k/8/16/ 0.5 Diamond and 100 laps on the strop.
They are both deadly sharp passing the HHT test with ease.
The problem is when i had the 16K on the go, i thought i'd try 10 laps with my hart steel 7/8 , so i gave it 10 with zero pressure then 10 on the diamond felt , then 100 on the leather and its now duller.
It wont pass any kinda HHT test and feels, to the thumb pad, blunter
Do you think i should try a full hone on it now? i wish i never touched it *cry cry*