Thread: Just can't seem to get shave ready

I know that there are hundreds of posts like this but for the life of me I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. I usually shave with a DE but a few years ago I picked up a stainless Dovo to try out. I had it honed at a local place but wasn't happy with the shave and decided to fix it myself. I've got a Norton 4k/8k and a Ohishi 10k. I've also got some 3M 15 micron polishing film that I use for finishing woodworking tools. I've been watching Lynn's videos and reading forum posts to fix my technique. I have tried the circle method on the 3M film to set the bevel, then pyramid strokes on the Norton, and finally 40 strokes on the 10k to finish it . All my stones have been lapped and today I took the razor in to work to look at the edge under a microscope. To my inexperienced eye it looks like a mirror finish with no visible scratches or wire edge. It cuts arm hair somewhat, but not consistently or easily. I tested it on a cheek tonight and it basically doesn't shave at all. I'm honestly not sure what I'm doing wrong; my gut says that the bevel isn't set well enough but I'm not sure how to do it better. I've been using the sharpie trick to verify that it's getting set properly. Attached are a few pictures for whatever they're worth. Thanks in advance!

Welcome to SRP! I'll wait for other to chime in, but I just wanted to offer a minor point for consideration while posting.

It is, quite often, very unreadable for many of the folks here(who are getting on or have eye site problems) to compose posts without using the RETURN key. Again, not a pick, but a suggestion.

Fine pics and nice blade!

Kind Regards,

Siguy.

Welcome aboard,,,it's a nice razor & sorry to hear about your problems.
From your photos there is one obvious problem to me & that is you are honing right on to the shoulder, see photo # 2, right top.

I don't know what feedback your marker told you,
But I would step away from the razor a few hours, relax & start fresh on it.
I would forget about the 3M & use only the 3 stones you have.
Set your bevel with the 4K,,, it will take a little work, but the razor is new & appears O.K. as far as the edge,,, get it to easily remove arm hair at the 4K ,, then work the 8K,,,, when you can get the 8K to shave , but not really comfortable,,, then finish out on the 10K.

A good stropping, then shave test again.

All starts at the beginning. If your begin is at the 4k level you may have a long trip on it with a stainless. Just guessing of course. If you could find somebody in your neck of the woods you would get real help :<0)

If your bevel is not properly set it does not matter what you use in your following progression. Years ago , my mentor saw my collection of stones spread upon the table prior to my first "lesson". He told me to put all the stones away other than the 1k bevel setter . "Once you can get a good bevel set, we will move on. And that will be another day." He told me. Sage advice.

Originally Posted by Wirm

If your bevel is not properly set it does not matter what you use in your following progression. Years ago , my mentor saw my collection of stones spread upon the table prior to my first "lesson". He told me to put all the stones away other than the 1k bevel setter . "Once you can get a good bevel set, we will move on. And that will be another day." He told me. Sage advice.

^^^^^


What he said, read it again and again

Honestly no BS you should be able to shave at the bevel set

The Norton 4/8 is really all you need until you get it to pop

Read here

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...on-2012-a.html

and here

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...-1k-shave.html


and here

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...bing-over.html


Then read what Wirm said again

Originally Posted by brush

It cuts arm hair somewhat, but not consistently or easily. I tested it on a cheek tonight and it basically doesn't shave at all. I'm honestly not sure what I'm doing wrong; my gut says that the bevel isn't set well enough but I'm not sure how to do it better. I've been using the sharpie trick to verify that it's getting set properly. Attached are a few pictures for whatever they're worth. Thanks in advance!

There's the problem. It's not sharp
Seriously tho, the Sharpie can be hard to read but other basic tests don't lie, ie TNT TPT. Progress past bevel set only when the razor has a cutting bevel. After that you can deal with the finishing & polishing stages of stainless which requires a little more than carbon steel.

Seems to be a trend in the advice here.

Wow, thanks for all the quick responses, this really is a great resource. I guess there's nothing for it but to sit down with the 4k for a while (and watch the shoulder). I really appreciate all the feedback!

The shoulder is getting low or the edge is getting high but you should manage the next honing ok.