Thread: The bevel under magnification (pictorial)

Thought I might add some random pics as the thread goes.

Here are 2 finished & stropped Puma edges. This level of shininess at the edge is acceptable & both razors tested perfectly as you would expect from Pumas.

The edges however look totally different . First looks rough & even has a microchip yet the 2nd looks smooth.
So as I hinted before the shave test is still the best test. & yes I did clear the microchip.

"You can't judge honey by looking at the bee." Thanx Bo Diddley.

Great work. Will be very helpful. Cheers Oz

I just remembered I did a similar pictorial on a damaged Iwasaki a while back. It's in the "Advanced" honing forum but a bunch more pics for those interested.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...e-restore.html

Oz, on the microchip - how much does that register on the "ignorance is bliss" scale? When is a microchip an issue, and when is it just a natural part of an edge? (under sufficient magnification the whole edge looks chipped, right?).

Take that one in your first photo as a case in point. Left "untreated", what would be the ultimate outcome with that in terms of shaving?

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Oz, on the microchip - how much does that register on the "ignorance is bliss" scale? When is a microchip an issue, and when is it just a natural part of an edge? (under sufficient magnification the whole edge looks chipped, right?).

Take that one in your first photo as a case in point. Left "untreated", what would be the ultimate outcome with that in terms of shaving?

James.

On the IIB scale I'd give it a 9.8.
I believe a microchipped razor can be a big issue for those with sensitive skin especially if there are so many chips the edge looks like a Spyderco.
Chips visible to the naked eye should be gone but if they'r only visible at 200x you can easily get by. As you say under sufficient magnification an edge can look pretty rough. I think it was Verhoeven ? that showed stropping can improve microchips. Generally if I can barely see them at 8x the razor may shave quite well but I will remove them if possible. The steel often determines if it is possible. With rusty old steel a compromise is best case scenario sometimes.

The first pic shows the edge is folded over as well as chipped so this will result in a scratched strop &/or face. It was also close to half the size of the bevel so not reasonable to expect improvement on the strop.

Great photo-tutorial, Oz!

Regards,
Neil

Reading this thread reminded me of a razor I just looked at under a 30x loupe. The toe was rolled over and it was quite noticeable under 30x. I must have been way to aggressive when stropping since I can't remember doing anything else. Just with I could take a picture of it. Great thread.