Thread: Possible short-comings... What might I try..

Well, that brings to mind two questions in my novice brain:

1. Have you tried changing your angle a bit to see if that particular razor's geometry demands it?
2. Have you looked at the bevel and edge under magnification and found anything?

Again, novice here... just trying to think of possibilities. It's also possible that this particular razor just requires more lovin' than the other on the stones, be it pressure (or lack of), number of strokes, etc.

I'm sure one of the far, far more skilled than myself will be able to help you better. Just kickin' around ideas.

All good stuff, thanks...

I try to give each razor at least three days in rotation so I have a bit of time to get intimate with it's quirks. But having said that, much can be told from the first shaves, first pass. So while I haven't yet explored different angles, I will, but don't think that's going to make up the extra miles.

To my equally novice eye, this looks like one of the better bevels I have seen. I did hit it with a Sharpie and then examined it after the last pass on the Black Ark and all the black was gone. The thumb pad test is positive as well. And the edge is almost completely clear of scratches and certainly has no chips or irregularities.

I am the first to admit I am a complete Noob as far as honing goes, but what is the quality of the razor you are having issues with? Is it good steel?

Best of luck.

Originally Posted by MattCB

I am the first to admit I am a complete Noob as far as honing goes, but what is the quality of the razor you are having issues with? Is it good steel?

Best of luck.

Butcher Brothers, Sheffield Steel... It's the top razor. Quality is relative, but it's no GD!!

Originally Posted by crouton976

Have you looked at the edge from directly above to see if you see any shiny spots? Maybe it's possible that each side of the bevel isn't meeting all along the entire edge?

*Edit: as a side note, I'm curious if some of the more experienced members are watching like proud, expectant fathers to see if we can work it out on our own. Sometimes, that really is the best way to learn.

HA!! I thought of that as well.

The use of the Sharpie is an attempt to see that the bevel is being set on both sides.. Same concept as a machinist using dye to tell if there are any high/low spots on a piece or we use pensil when lapping a new stone. It's hard to get the Sharpie exact but I am getting better. I strike both sides at the edge side of bevel, where they meet and do it on each level of stone. If there is any black left on the bevel, it's not okay to move to the next step of the progression. Once all the black is removed all the way to where the two bevels meet AND the other edge of the bevel is a sharp defined line, it's time for the thumb pad test. Only when both of these are in passing am I moving to the next step.

Hmm, well I'll be watching with interest to see how it turns out. Honing is something I plan to takel one of theses days.

Originally Posted by MikekiM

All good stuff, thanks...

I try to give each razor at least three days in rotation so I have a bit of time to get intimate with it's quirks. But having said that, much can be told from the first shaves, first pass. So while I haven't yet explored different angles, I will, but don't think that's going to make up the extra miles.

To my equally novice eye, this looks like one of the better bevels I have seen. I did hit it with a Sharpie and then examined it after the last pass on the Black Ark and all the black was gone. The thumb pad test is positive as well. And the edge is almost completely clear of scratches and certainly has no chips or irregularities.

Have you looked at the edge from directly above to see if you see any shiny spots? Maybe it's possible that each side of the bevel isn't meeting all along the entire edge?

*Edit: as a side note, I'm curious if some of the more experienced members are watching like proud, expectant fathers to see if we can work it out on our own. Sometimes, that really is the best way to learn.