Thread: 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.

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.

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

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!

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


Mark