Thread: Coticule

Originally Posted by Johntoad57

I want you to remember that it's all about shaving your face comfortably. Unless you own a business that hones commercially, all those stones are not necessary. I'm sure there are a lot of people that will disagree with what I tell you. That's okay. They have their methods (and they work) and I have mine (and it works for me). That's all I care about. Back in the past, do you think people had all these high dollar stones? I don't know....

Even if the razor is in good condition, edge wise, I'll normally bread knife the edge and start over. That way there will no be question about the edge. I can only hold myself accountable for the quality of the shave.

I start by setting the bevel with a 3" wide X 8" long piece of wet/dry sandpaper attached to a piece of plate glass using rubber cement to hold it in place. You'll need at least a 10X loupe to look at the edge. It's the most important part of honing a razor. You don't set the bevel, you're just wasting your time on progressing to the polishing stage. How do you know whether the bevel is set? As you take the razor across the paper (laps I think they call it here) you'll produce a burr on one side of the edge. A burr is a little ridge on one side and you can feel it with your fingernail.Once you feel that burr, you're close. Turn the razor over and remove the burr until you have a smooth transition to the edge on both sides. Your bevel will be sharp and course at this time but it is set. Now proceed to start the polishing process. This will produce a nice crisp sharp edge.

Using marble plates, 3" X 6" I start by using CrOx or chromium oxide and mixture of mineral oil and mineral spirits as a lubricant (50/50 mix). Then probably run the razor 40 laps. Run it one way then turn it over and run the other way 40 times. Check your edge with your loupe. You should start to see the scratches disappearing. I always take a piece of balsa wood and run the edge down on a corner to remove particles (I think it's called swarf) and clean the edge before moving to the next plate.

Next marble plate is blue Oxide. It's a polishing compound but much finer than chromium oxide. Same process. Check the edge with the loupe.

Next two plates use diamond paste. 0.5microns and 0.25 microns. Same process. Check the edge with the loupe. Should have a descent smooth edge by now. You could probably shave from this edge but would be a little uncomfortable. Don't recommend it.

The last marble plate has a piece of 0.3micron Non PSA Aluminum oxide film with lubricant. Same process as above.

Now I use a black Arkansas surgical stone from Dan's to really smooth it out. Same process as above.

And finally I use a piece of slate that I found in the Potomac River in Virginia as the finisher. Same process as above. Very sharp edge now.

Then I use linen strop 20 laps coated with CrOx, turn it over and 20 laps with blue oxide. Very light pressure. Finish it with a nice leather strop. I use a Lucky Strike horse hide and 40 laps.

And finally, I use a balsa wood strop infused with 0.25 micron paste. It's 3"X 6" and run 20 laps on it. That's it.

That's it! For me, it produces the edge that I want. Crisp and very smooth. Everything that I have invested in this process is less than $100.00.

For touch ups I use the Arkansas stone and river rock. I can't remember the last time that I had to touch up my razors. I have a rotation of 8 straight razors that I use. They deliver a great shave every time.

Remember, It's all about you and what you will accept. I'm content with my edges and didn't spend a whole bunch of money on stuff that may not work for you.

That's my story! I've have a lot of help from Outback and he has helped me think about so many things. If he offers you advise, listen to what he's telling you. Good luck!

This is a very very interesting approach on honing. I really enjoyed reading it.

Just some questions please.

What kind of grit do you use to set the bevel through sandpaper?

Do you use one piece of marble or one for each Crox : pastes etc?

What brand are you using for blue oxide?

If you put the last edge with 0.25um balsa, have you tried to keep it refreshed with a 0.1um in balsa? You might be surprised. I kept a razor refreshed by touching it up daily in a pasted balsa with 0.1um after that razor came to me shave ready from a 0.5, 0.3um and 0.1um pasted balsa strop.

Again, I really enjoyed your setup. Basically it needs crox/diamond paste, balsa, cotton strop, 1to 5 pieces of marble plates and one (you use 2 actually) stone. You gave me a lot to think of.