Thread: What did I do wrong with my Shaptons?

Originally Posted by supersco

Got a set of Shapton 4K/8K/16K glass stones this week. I also got an Atoma 1200 for lapping. Now, my Henckels-Friodur 7/8 full hollow was due for a refresh (or so I thought). So I lapped the Shaptons and went to work on the razor.

I did twenty strokes on the 4K, ten on the 8K, and five on the 16K. Followed up with 80 strokes on linen, 40 on leather. I then did my normal pre-shave routine, but when I put the blade to my face it was completely dull.

Where did I go wrong, and what can I do to bring back the edge?

Maybe you unset the bevel by dropping so low on the grits. When you bought the razor if it was shave ready did you ask whether tape was used or not when it was honed. I only asked because this has happened to me. The only thing to do in these circumstances is to reset the bevel.

Good points above. Who honed the razor first time. If it was factory set. Bevel will likely need work.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Good points above. Who honed the razor first time. If it was factory set. Bevel will likely need work.

+1. A 40x eye loupe, or a microscope with good lighting, and afterwards marking the edge with a sharpie to make sure you're making correct strokes/contact with the bevel all across the hone.

Keeping one grit from contaminating another is just a matter of rinsing each hone, wiping/rinsing the blade between stones. When doing pyramids I've always been careful not to carry grit from the 4k to the 8k, and ignored rinsing going back down from the 8k to the 4k.

It could be a PITA depending on where you're honing but at the kitchen sink it is easy to do. Whether it is a Shapton, a Norton or any other 4k/8k pyramid it is prudent to keep away from contaminating the 8k with the 4k. At least it makes sense to me.

Originally Posted by supersco

Got a set of Shapton 4K/8K/16K glass stones this week. I also got an Atoma 1200 for lapping. Now, my Henckels-Friodur 7/8 full hollow was due for a refresh (or so I thought). So I lapped the Shaptons and went to work on the razor.

I did twenty strokes on the 4K, ten on the 8K, and five on the 16K. Followed up with 80 strokes on linen, 40 on leather. I then did my normal pre-shave routine, but when I put the blade to my face it was completely dull.

Where did I go wrong, and what can I do to bring back the edge?

Bringing things back into focus here...

Tell me if I have any of the facts wrong

The razor was shaving before, you just wanted to tweak it up a notch
You lapped the Shaptons before use
You dropped back to the 4 -8 - 16
You did a conservative progression
You have honed before
You used light pressure

Reading your post above the only thing that stands out as even slightly odd to my eyes is the linen vs leather stropping,,, mine would have been the reversed, but I doubt that means anything anyway...

Also in post #10 the statement "As to pressure, I was using none at all" that always makes me suspect because you have to use enough pressure to control the razor and keep the edge in correct contact with the hone..

+1 on what Glen said on the stropping, after honing I usually do 10-15 on linen and 50-70 leather

It could be a tape or pressure issue, if it was taped previously and you didn't, you might not be hitting the edge. In the opposite scenario (not taped before and you used tape) you are re-setting the bevel.

I use progressively less pressure as I go up the hone ladder.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Bringing things back into focus here...

Tell me if I have any of the facts wrong

The razor was shaving before, you just wanted to tweak it up a notch
You lapped the Shaptons before use
You dropped back to the 4 -8 - 16
You did a conservative progression
You have honed before
You used light pressure

Reading your post above the only thing that stands out as even slightly odd to my eyes is the linen vs leather stropping,,, mine would have been the reversed, but I doubt that means anything anyway...

Also in post #10 the statement "As to pressure, I was using none at all" that always makes me suspect because you have to use enough pressure to control the razor and keep the edge in correct contact with the hone..

All of that is correct. And by pressure, I mean that I used enough to keep the edge in contact and guide the blade, but no more than that. Just the weight.

I would only use that light of pressure on the 16k, you can use more, especially on the 4k

Originally Posted by supersco

All of that is correct. And by pressure, I mean that I used enough to keep the edge in contact and guide the blade, but no more than that. Just the weight.

Originally Posted by rodb

+1 on what Glen said on the stropping, after honing I usually do 10-15 on linen and 50-70 leather

It could be a tape or pressure issue, if it was taped previously and you didn't, you might not be hitting the edge. In the opposite scenario (not taped before and you used tape) you are re-setting the bevel.

I use progressively less pressure as I go up the hone ladder.

To you and others who asked about whether it was taped...I do not know. When I ordered the razor from shavingshop.com, I put a special note on the order asking whether it would be taped, and then I emailed them later about whether it was taped. I never got a reply. So I don't really know.

I do have a 20x jewellers loupe. Maybe I should try the sharpie test to see if my strokes are making contact?

Originally Posted by supersco

To you and others who asked about whether it was taped...I do not know. When I ordered the razor from shavingshop.com, I put a special note on the order asking whether it would be taped, and then I emailed them later about whether it was taped. I never got a reply. So I don't really know.

I do have a 20x jewellers loupe. Maybe I should try the sharpie test to see if my strokes are making contact?

Won't cost you anything if you have the sharpie. I wipe mine off as soon as I'm done seeing the results. I don't wait until I've honed the razor IOW. Check it out with that loupe too. Under a gooseneck, or whatever type of good light source you have.

If it wasn't taped initially, and you did tape it, you may see a slight double bevel when you look through the loupe. I'd opt for tape if I were you, one way or the other. I used to tape, then stopped for a couple of years, but now I'm back to tape and sticking with it .......... no pun intended.

Was the razor honed with tape before and now you are not using it, if so then you are not hitting the edge