Thread: Scratch Pattern

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!