Thread: universality of sharpening.

I was reading The Handplane Book, by Garrett Hack. He includes a brief discussion of sharpening in chapter four. From my pov sharpening is sharpening-yes some techniques vary, sometimes more or less specialized tools are used. There are differences yes, like driving a stick or automatic transmission-they are different-but you are still driving and more is the same than different.

He says: "Ultimately it is more important how you use and mainatin your stones than which ones you choose. While sharpening keep the surface well flushed with lubricant and use only moderate pressure. Regularly check your stones for flatness and maintain them. Have a range of grits no matter if some are oilstones and others something else, and learn to use them all to get the keenest edge in the shortest time."

The time to get a new stone(beyond the basics) is not when you are having trouble or needing improvement- it's when everything is good.

I'll drink to that.

a fine idea. Oh, we're talking about sharpening here. Well, ok then, hone on.



Oh, and I think Mr. Hack is right on point. I've sharpened tools for years and had to modify my approach for razors (lightly is as lightly does), but it still is applying steel to stone. Success with honing razors seems to be in the nuances - quite a bit different than sharpening a butt chisel - but steel to stone nonetheless.

that calls for another

Well said; another rational voice. Yes there are differences between a razor and other edged tools, but there are many more similarities. As I have said before, this is not an esoteric art that must be learned at the feet of a master; it is a manual skill that can be mastered by anyone with average or better coordination and the patience to learn.

A time honored basic! Nice post.

Ya know it's funny I tend to agree with all that about, it is just steel and stone, and the there is no magic and that anyone can do it....

Right up until we all show up at the meets, and I sit and watch as people that have sharpened tools and knives for years just can't seem to get a razor to pop... Then all that book theory goes right down the drain...

There is also "sharp enough" and "Holy Christ that is freaking sharp" in razors, knives, and tools... So while I do agree anyone can get a servicable edge there is still a bit of FM in getting them to the next level...

6gun,

It is entirely possible that I'm mired in the easy quicksand of "sharp enough," but I do shave with the razors I've honed - without screams or slow to clot incisions - and in which condition those razors are completely satisfactory to me. I've even purchased some "shave ready" razors which I needed to touch up for those razors to be comfortable on my face. It's entirely possible, more likely probable, that each of us has different requirements, from skin sensitivity to beard texture to etc, for a comfortable shave without some customization and that these blades came to me quite satisfactory to the original owner or honer. So do I have the "FM" to get a blade to the next level? I highly doubt it, but in my own ham handed way I'm able to get them servicable for me. So, in the final measure of things, that's probably not a bad ruler to use.

that may even call for a double,

Bruce,
I guess the difference is when you are honing razors for yourself vs charging to hone razors for others.

I never sell anything as shave ready because i am so paranoid about my personal "shave ready" being good enough

Originally Posted by Bruce

6gun,

It is entirely possible that I'm mired in the easy quicksand of "sharp enough," but I do shave with the razors I've honed - without screams or slow to clot incisions - and in which condition those razors are completely satisfactory to me. I've even purchased some "shave ready" razors which I needed to touch up for those razors to be comfortable on my face. It's entirely possible, more likely probable, that each of us has different requirements, from skin sensitivity to beard texture to etc, for a comfortable shave without some customization and that these blades came to me quite satisfactory to the original owner or honer. So do I have the "FM" to get a blade to the next level? I highly doubt it, but in my own ham handed way I'm able to get them servicable for me. So, in the final measure of things, that's probably not a bad ruler to use.

that may even call for a double,

I never read about sharpening before coming to SRP. I was taught to hone pocket knives when I was around 15 and could get them to shave leg hair. I was shown how to hone razors by a barber in the mid '80s but I know now that he was only showing me how to touch up an already sharp razor. It took SRP twenty + years later to get me to where I could hone my own with some success.

Coming from that background I had to learn that the working edge of a razor is thinner than a piece of copy paper and very flexible. The slightest amount of pressure will make a difference in the outcome so knowing when to use it and when to let up is critical to the outcome I think . Razors are a different kangaroo for sure when it comes to honing. OTOH, sharpening theory is a valuable asset to get to another level if the practitioner realizes the differences in the tools he is sharpening. Just IMHO.

I tell ya I have read all about too sharp, too harsh, too this, and too that... And honestly I personally think it is all hooey..
Some razors work for your face others don't...

I don't give a hoot who sharpens any wedge, on what stone, to what degree, to what sharpness, using paste or not using paste, it WILL NOT feel good to me, period end of story... I have never liked shaving with a wedge or anything really over a half hollow, don't have a real fondness for most Sheffield steel either, does this mean anything to anyone else????? NOPE just means that is my face type...

I think way to much is put on the stones and pastes and honing, instead of the razor itself..each razor can only get so sharp, if that razor is inside of your personal tolerance level, then it is a good razor for you... If not I don't care if you use the 100k Nakahamamama hone it will not feel good on yer face...

Back to this thread, that would mean that starting with the correct razor for your face type would be half the battle, the other half would be getting the most out of the hones with that razor...
This would also relate to the "how to hone and the FM factor" because different types of razors require different sharpening techniques... See how it starts to change really fast from just stone and steel The other factor here which is not present in most other types of sharpening is the SKIN factor and how that relates to feel... Simply put, sharpening a razor is so much more than just getting it "Sharp"...