4/8 hollow weird results

I could really use some advice on this one.

I am honing a 4/8 hollow ground for Gawker. Because the blade is rather flimsy I had to be careful and go slow, but finally the thing has polished, pronounced bevels that are chipfree as far as I could see under the microscope.

the light does not reflect off the edge anymore (it's a black thin line), and most of the blade passes the HHT even with my wife's thin hair.

But the shave test sucks.
My cheek hairs melt away when the razor passes.
Throat and jawlines go effortless as well. both WTG and ATG.
but under my nose and on my chin (where the hairs are close together and thicker) I need a lot of passes to clear the hair. If I try to cut too much hair at once, it pulls a lot.

I have never shaved with anything less than a 6/8, so I suspect that my technique is at fault here.
I am pretty sure that this blade is at least as sharp as any straight I ever shaved with, but I really don't want to send a razor back that is not shave ready so I could use some feedback.

Thanks all.

Could be that it's not quite there yet. I find keeping a steady hand alittle more challenging on my 3/8. Employing a cutting angle (tip leading) in the shave might also help you.

X

I agree it just needs some more passes or could it be since your used to the weight of the 6/8s you trying not to add any additional pressure as you shave and with a very light blade you may have to add a tad of pressure?

You didn't say what stone you are using but you might just try some more passes and see what happens. If you develop a wire edge then you know you've gone too far and its technique thats doing you in.

I finished on a yellow coticule.
In fact, I spent a LOT of time on the coticule because the toe is a bit warped and the Norton 4K did too much damage. I only got the 8K this weekend.

I tried to shave without pressure, but that gave me the results I already mentioned.
Objectively speaking, the edge is sharper than what I currently shave with, so sharpness by itself is not the problem.

Maybe the problem is that a 4/8 hollow ground needs to be a LOT sharper than a 6/8 frameback to get the same shave comfort level?

I'll try some more laps on the coticule, but if it's not improving anymore I think I reached the limits of what I can currently achieve.
At least now I know I don't like shaving with a 4/8. too flimsy, and it doesn't hold much lather.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

... you may have to add a tad of pressure?

---

How many tads in a bit?

X

As I understand it 4/8 and under were not designed for serious shaving, only for touch ups and the back of the neck. I own a 4/8 hollow ( very sharp ) and it confirms this every time I try to shave with it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JMS

As I understand it 4/8 and under were not designed for serious shaving, only for touch ups and the back of the neck. I own a 4/8 hollow ( very sharp ) and it confirms this every time I try to shave with it.

---

So basically, if you shave 3 days worth of hair on your chin, you experience the same problems as me?

I'm saying that using a 4/8 to shave your chin and upper lip is like using an axe instead of a chainsaw to chop down a forest. they will both work but the axe will be a much slower and messier process!! in short, yes I have the same problems as you!!


Mark

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JMS

I'm saying that using a 4/8 to shave your chin and upper lip is like using an axe instead of a chainsaw to chop down a forest. they will both work but the axe will be a much slower and messier process!! in short, yes I have the same problems as you!!


Mark

---

Thanks! :tu

I've never used a 4/8 before so I had no point of reference.

Any time!! just send me a top rate triple belgian ale :D


Mark

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by xman

How many tads in a bit?

X

---

thats 3 tads to a bit and 4 bits to a little, right?

On the issue of sharpness-sharp is sharp the size of the razor has nothing to do with relative sharpness. If its sharp a 3/8s will shave just as good as a 7/8s. I would wager a bet that if I took an 8/8s razor and a 2/8s razor of similar grind and equal sharpness and put just the edge under a microscope you couldn't tell which was which and that is what your beard sees.

Obviously some thing is askew in this case. maybe that warp?

I agree that sharp is sharp but have you ever tried to castrate a bull with a pen knfe?

Get my point?


Mark

Well if I followed your example a tad further you could compare chopping wood to trimming meat with the same edge. In some circumstances brute force is required and obviously a heavier blade is needed shaving is not one of these areas. I can only tell you from my experience that I get just as close and comfortable a shave whether I'm using my 7/8s maestro or my 4/8s Gold crown and I don't have a fine beard. In fact the same applies to my 2/8s Mercur just that in that case the blade is so small I find it hard to hold on to and maneuver.

I think to discount a whole group of razors and just say, hey these are puny and can't possibly shave me is doing a disservice. Just my humble opinion.

I was not intending to,nor did I, discount a whole group of shavers, but it is a fact that different size shavers were designed with specifc functions in mind!
According to Dovo, SRP's library( under great straight info) , and my face 3/8 for clinic use & eyebrows, 4/8 same as 3/8 plus light or soft beards, 5/8 general beard removal, 6/8 and above for heavy work and heavy or wiry beards.


Mark

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I think to discount a whole group of razors and just say, hey these are puny and can't possibly shave me is doing a disservice. Just my humble opinion.

---

It wasn't my intention to discard a group of razors.
The 4/8 is sharper than the 6/8 frameback (which is getting a bit dull lately).
So the fact that I cannot get a decent chin shave with it can only be attributed to differences in technique and handling.

The 6/8 is still giving me smooth shaves despite the fact that I never honed it again after the first time. It is getting duller, but I am currently testing how long I can go before honing while still getting smooth shaves.

That's only half the truth actually. It is the only shave readyish razor I have left for the moment. My free time is currently occupied honing other people's razors and I haven't found the time yet to hone my other 2 razors :(

My point was that sharpness itself is not the only factor contributing to shave quality.
I am currently honing another razor for Charles that is coming along nicely. When I am finished with that I might take the 4/8 to the 4K/8K for a pyramid or 2 to see how it shapes up. I only got it this weekend so I couldn't try that before.
I'll let you know how that turns out.