Thread: Razor passes HHT before shave but not after.

The same thing has happened to the last two razors I've tried to hone which is weird, maybe it's just those two razors, I will have to try hone another and see if I have the same problem. I think I might lap the hones as well anyway as it's been a couple of years since I last lapped them.

Obviously the razor isn't sharp enough.

So lets look at this logically. Since you are experienced. Either for some unknown reason your stropping has deteriorated or your honing has unless the hones need attention. I'm assuming it's not a new razor which then throws another variable into the mix.

I doubt it's evil spirits but you never know.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Obviously the razor isn't sharp enough.

So lets look at this logically. Since you are experienced. Either for some unknown reason your stropping has deteriorated or your honing has unless the hones need attention. I'm assuming it's not a new razor which then throws another variable into the mix.

I doubt it's evil spirits but you never know.

I think tbs might have hit the nail on the head. If you have an eye loupe, or some form of magnification check the bevel. Touch it up and shave again and then check it with the magnification again.

Your bevel is not set.

How do you know when the bevel is set?

Hair test are not reliable, because they cannot test the whole edge, they can be an indicator, but if it is not shaving, it’s not set.

You can buy a lighted 30X loupe for 2-3 dollars and remove all doubt.

You are not honing to the edge.

Ink the bevel and use a rolling X stroke.

why does nobody ever talk about bevels getting unset or that maybe a razor needs freshening up. You people act as if the bevel is literally set in stone.

Originally Posted by gfro

why does nobody ever talk about bevels getting unset or that maybe a razor needs freshening up. You people act as if the bevel is literally set in stone.

The problem with the razor above is that the bevel has not been set in stone.

Probably because 95 percent of the problems novice honers have with edges is directly related to an incomplete bevel set.

Once you know how to set the bevel properly, you stop having problems.

It is also 95 percent of honing, the rest is just polishing and making the edge straighter for comfort.

That razor needs a complete (heel to toe) bevel set.

Originally Posted by gfro

why does nobody ever talk about bevels getting unset or that maybe a razor needs freshening up. You people act as if the bevel is literally set in stone.

What do you mean by unset? Once you set the bevel with a medium stone, the remaining follow-on work is pretty much just keeping the same shape but removing the scratches.

I mean that I get the idea from some people on this site that the razor should go months and months and months with nothing more than stropping once the bevel is set. My feeling is that the blade gets worn shaving my face during the week and I feel that 3 strokes on a 8k followed by 5 strokes on a 12k or just a 12k is needed.