Thread: The Tool vs. The Technique

This is my method, and it works for me.

I don't use tape because I found it leaves marks
on the stone i.e. clogs. I know it is the tape
and not 'slurry' because I looked through a microscope.
When I stopped using the tape, the marking stopped.
I know it's probably too much pressure, and that it is my fault.

I cheat when honing by using a magnifying glass.
I buy an old razor e.g. Joseph Rodgers and, if necessary,
rub the edge on wet & dry to remove any nicks/damage etc.

Then I use 1,000 grit waterstone, and look at the edge through
the mag' glass, to see where the bevel is going,
and adjust the pressure on the cutting edge accordingly
i.e. I might be honing the heel more than the middle.

When the bevel is even along the blade, I move to 4,000 grit waterstone.
This, through the mag' glass, leaves a polished and slightly mirror edge.

When the bevel is evenly polished by the 4K stone,
I move to the 8K stone, which really does polish the bevel
to a mirror finish, again looking through the mag' glass.

This method is quicker than using say 50/80/100/500 etc passes
on each stone, because you can see when it is OK.
I use 20 passes between looking, and just hone until the bevel
is what I want it to be.

I haven't been doing this long enough to go without using
the magnifying glass, and by using it, I know the condition
actually is polished and sharp. The more experienced guys
obviously know by experience of doing lots more razors than I have.

I have restored - because I found that old razors seem to hold
and edge better than 'cheap' new razors - nearly 20 razors,
and have shaved with each one satisfactorily.
I did buy a new Dovo, shave ready, and was very pleased with it,
but at 10 times the price I pay for a vintage razor, I think
it'll be Xmas before I buy another (with money from the kids -hint!!).

What I did learn from the new razor is that my bevel is wider than the
pro' sharpeners - probably because I use more pressure, BUT
my edge is just as sharp, as experienced on the face when shaving.
So, as I said before, I cheat, and it works for me, so I offer it here
to help.