Thread: New Hone or New Razor?

Can you tell us more about your razor? Have you got pics?

well no pics at mo but it's a fairly basic vintage carl wusthof (solingen). sheffield steel. it was handed down and most likely from ireland. black plastic scales, nothing fancy. i restored it pretty well but there is some tiny pitting left. not on the bevel though as far as i can see. micro chips possibly, i'm not too familiar with how they appear or feel for that matter.

Originally Posted by jonjo

micro chips possibly, i'm not too familiar with how they appear or feel for that matter.

Most will only appear under magnification. Do you have access to any form of magnification such as a microscope or a jeweler's loupe?

As far as feel goes, you can assess that with the thumbnail test. A sharp edge will cut into the nail as the blade is dragged across it. If the blade is sharp but has chips in it, then you MIGHT be able to feel a change in the drag as the chip comes across the nail.

i do have a loupe and everything looks quite clean and crisp but i don't find/see any significant improvement when polishing or stropping after the 8k stage. the 8k scratches seem to just remain. i've heard quite a bit said about a "mirror finish" and i seem to be still quite far off that. perfectionism can be maddening eh?

Hmmm. Can I say you seem to be worrying too much about what the edge LOOKS like rather than what it FEELS like? I'd very much consider using the pyramid method with the 4/8. You could even go lower and re-set the bevel at 1k. If you don't have a 1k hone (as I don't) you can use 1k wet and dry wrapped around another hone (as I have always done).

I'd use the thumb pad test and the shaving arm hair test.

You should be able to shave off a 8k. I wouldn't use the polish after that; I'd just strop and see how it feels.

I'd make sure you concentrate REALLY hard on the honing; REALLY watch the edge and the pool of water pushed by the edge. Make sure the blade is flat and don't press down at ALL.

I think the thumb pad test can tell you if a blade is sharp more accurately than what it looks like...

Carl