Thread: Tweaking the Edge with Tape

Originally Posted by guitstik

I still don't get all of this. I understand why everyone goes to such great lengths but I just see it as being a little extreme. The way I learned to sharpen from my Grandfather never involved high magnification OR any kind of magnification OR tape for that matter and we still managed to get excellent edges with smooth shaves. But, if all of this works for your then great it just seems like "make work" to me.

Thanks for the clarification on the technique Tim. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, the lower the magnification, the better my honing looks.........

A very nice polish; thanks for again explaining your honing method. I like to think of it as a "micro micro-bevel." (Nano bevel? ) Not unlike finishing on a slack or pliable strop. Or stropping with the razor's spine slightly raised...

It would seem to me, esp as not seeing a pic of after the layer was added and lightly honed on the finisher a bit, and before the progression of CroOx on paddle and strop are done, that Tim is simply providing a good path for the final pasted strop progression to do it's duty without overdoing anything. I have done this in the past, particularly on problem steels. It works quite well.
Thanks for posting this, Tim, and clarifying what is actually happening!
Tom

"a little extreme" might be a subtitle for Straight Razor Place. I mean that in a good way....
QUOTE=guitstik;I still don't get all of this. I understand why everyone goes to such great lengths but I just see it as being a little extreme. The way I learned to sharpen from my Grandfather never involved high magnification OR any kind of magnification OR tape for that matter and we still managed to get excellent edges with smooth shaves. But, if all of this works for your then great it just seems like "make work" to me.[/QUOTE]

Originally Posted by UKRob

Now on the basis that both Tim and Neil have 'liked' this post - surely the definitive answer would be for you to try one of Tim's edges against one of Neils and decide whether you can feel any difference.

I do need to send a few razors off to be honed by the "experts" just to compare my honing skills against. Right now I just can't justify the expense it would take considering the fact I have to put out $1000.00 to have my wife's winshield replaced. Big stone + fragile glass = lightened bank account. When it rains it pours.

Originally Posted by guitstik

I do need to send a few razors off to be honed by the "experts" just to compare my honing skills against. Right now I just can't justify the expense it would take considering the fact I have to put out $1000.00 to have my wife's winshield replaced. Big stone + fragile glass = lightened bank account. When it rains it pours.

By your own admission you are already there, with all the variables, I don't see what could be gained by sending a razor out to an "expert."

Originally Posted by WW243

By your own admission you are already there, with all the variables, I don't see what could be gained by sending a razor out to an "expert."

There is always room for improvement. Just because I don't "see" the need for all the extra steps others take in regards to honing a razor doesn't mean that it isn't valide. By having one of my razors done by someone who has a different approach and comparing one I have done gives me a bench mark on whether or not I can improve. If so then it would be foolish of me not to experiment and change my methods.

Originally Posted by guitstik

There is always room for improvement. Just because I don't "see" the need for all the extra steps others take in regards to honing a razor doesn't mean that it isn't valide. By having one of my razors done by someone who has a different approach and comparing one I have done gives me a bench mark on whether or not I can improve. If so then it would be foolish of me not to experiment and change my methods.

Doing exactly that helped me a great deal when I was starting out. Particularly in seeing that the guys who recommended honing all of the scratches from the previous grit out ..... before moving on to the next ....... were all wet. Razors from some of the top honers showed me that the sharpness was what to look for. Even with the edge highly refined to a sharp and smooth edge the scratches remained. There is also comparing the feel from theirs to mine. A very informative tool if you can afford it, IME.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Thanks for the clarification on the technique Tim. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, the lower the magnification, the better my honing looks.........

Oh, so that's why Stevie Wonder sends you his straights for honing.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Oh, so that's why Stevie Wonder sends you his straights for honing.

Well......Even Ray Charles could see THAT!