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?

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 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

Originally Posted by Ruger

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

I finally had time yesterday to take the Henckels back to the hones. I tried the sharpie test and I can definitely say now that the razor was not taped previously.

This time I did the full pyramid. Unfortunately, the shave was not that much better. Definitely sharper than after my first progression, but nowhere near as sharp as the edge was when I received it. Good news is that my new Ralf Aust should be here anyday, so I'm not without a razor.

I guess it couldn't hurt to try some tape and see if I can get a better result. If that doesn't work I'll just have to ship it to a honemeister to reset the bevel I guess.

Thoughts? One layer of tape, or two?

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.