Thread: Scratch Pattern

To answer several of the questions above. I used a loupe to look at the scratch patterns, I will look to see if I can see them with the naked eye tonight, but all my other razors reflect a mirror shiny finish after my pregression of naniwa 1k, 5k, 8k, 12k and crox. I have been using a straight razor for 3 years now and typicaly use a 7/8 razor. I also stropped the razor well prior to the first shave.

I guess back to the original post, should all razors have the shiny smooth edge or do certain razors naturally show a deeper scratch pattern.

You will see a scratch pattern on just about any razor depending on the angle you view the bevel at. But 1k scratch patterns are really rough looking. I use a hand microscope to view my bevels when I'm workng on them. Its a 200x scope. I can see scratches at just about every stage. But as I said, there's a difference between 1k scratch patterns and what you end up with after say your 12k finish. But to answer your question, I've never seen a razor that showed scratch patterns more than another. In the end, its all quality steel and should polish up just like any other quality steel. When you say that the shave you got from it was just ok, what does that specifically mean? Was there pulling? Did it feel rough and/or leave a lot of irritation? It sounds to me like your razor may not have received the attention it was supposed to. I would contact the seller and speak to them about the issue. They may be perfectly willing to adjust it for you, no questions asked. I've heard that some of the guys that hone for other users sometimes hone groups of razors together at one grit, then move the whole group to the next grit rather than running each blade through each stage one at a time. Maybe yours recieved its lower grit treatment but somehow missed the fine tuning. Put a call or an email in to the vendor and give them a chance to make matter right.

Personally, I don't think scratch patterns have much to do with shaveability. They will depend on the finishing media and the type of strokes used and the razor metal too. You can polish an edge to mirror shine and it may not shave worth a continental.

The shave pulled and left irritation...I really didn't want to send it back just to get re-honed, but I had to do something. I gave it the thumbnail test and the first 3/4 was smooth as could be, however the last 1/4 of the edge closest to the heel jumped and skipped more than a ballet dancer does! That's the area where I could see deep/wide scratch pattern. I had to do it 3 or 4 times again because I couldn't believe what I was seeing and feeling! End of story was I put the razor to my Naniwa SS 8k and 12k, and as suspected, the edge cleaned and shined right up for me. I will be shave testing it this evening.

bigspendurs right. Don’t get too hung up on scratch patterns. They may tell certain things but the edge is where it’s happening.
Mike
Here are scratch patterns.

from a car wash.

HOT DOG!!!! After honing it on the 8k and 12k it gave an amazingly smooth shave! The 7/8 Ralf Aust razors have a bit of heft on the spine and really shaves like something between a hollow and quarter grind. I am really gonna enjoy this razor!

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Personally, I don't think scratch patterns have much to do with shaveability. They will depend on the finishing media and the type of strokes used and the razor metal too. You can polish an edge to mirror shine and it may not shave worth a continental.

I on the other hand believe they may well be an indicator that the edge might not be ok.
Unless one honed with a micro bevel, those scratches will go all the way out to the very edge.
So I would say it's the other way round, if it got no scratches and the bevel is mirror smooth, that doesn't say the edge is good.
But, if the bevel has scratches I would be surprised if the edge were perfect!