Thread: I can get razors very sharp but lately they have been harsh.

I have been using a SR since 1981 or so and still have to scold myself for using more pressure, it is a constant battle

Why I asked about the razors is that sometimes you have to accept the fact that certain razors do not react well with certain stones

Keep working it maybe try a light slurry on the 12k to start with then dilute out basically mess with it and eliminate variables as you go as mentioned above...

CrOx is on a short, narrow and very thick leather strop. I must emphasize that I don't use pressure. When I get to the Naniwa and CrOx I'm only guiding the razor with my fingertips. I usually look right at the very edge of the razor with a loupe and look for flat spots that I can't see by eye. Then I look at the side against a dark background to see it at a different angle.

I totally agree with more stropping on a freshly honed razor, also razors typically mellow out after a shave or two which is probably due to all the stropping

Congratulations this is a good thing. I think for some time the goal after you start honing your own razors is and should be to get the razor as sharp as you can. Then with experience you reach the point you have, now its not about sharp its about comfort as your sharpness goal has been achieved.
I honestly think this is why I prefer my Illinois 827 strop post honing over my other strops. If you feel that strop it has almost an imperceptible, but definitely there, slight texture. I really think it is a bit of a more aggressive strop (if there is such a thing) than my preferred pre shave strop which is a 3"Red Latigo.
Whatever the case 50 linen and 100 leather on the 827 takes my razor to a nice combo of sharp and smooth on virtually all the razors i hone. When I use the red latigo or my illinois 50 or any other of my strops post honing they just dont give me that comfort. You answer very well could be more stropping or more on thee linen or maybe try the other side of the leather. I know many dont do that any more but maybe work that in. Do 50 on the rough side of the leather and 100 on the smooth and see how that goes.
Just some thoughts.

Chrome Oxide should give a finished edge more polish and comfort, the same thing that stropping on leather will do.

So if your leather is finishing your edged more, your edge is not that smooth after the Chrome Oxide and possibly after the 12K.

Is your Chrome Oxide quality razor paste?

Chrome Oxide that is made for polishing metal can contain other abrasives, designed to cut more quickly, or your strop could be contaminated with any of a number of things, like dust, both will leave a harsh edge.

If so try pasting a piece of cardboard with your paste, to eliminate a contaminated strop as an issue.

My CrOx was in a bar form. Don't remember from whence it came. I will try your suggestions after I attempt to shave without CrOx in the equation. I appreciate all the help!

I got distracted by other razors and have yet to do what I was going to a few posts back. I have just honed up a NOS Dorko to 12k and it's cutting leg hair like a champ. At least I'm 90% sure it's NOS. It had no bevel on it whatsoever and absolutely no hone wear to be seen. Little tag was still there too. It has a very similar grind and overall shape as the Dovo I had some trouble with. Tonight I will shave half my face right off the stone and then do 100 laps on leather and shave the rest.

I just received a razor from a user here that was honed on a JNat immediately before sending it to me. I don't think I've ever experienced something so amazing. It's like heaven compacted into blade form. I could almost hear angels singing as I shaved. I swear there were tears in my eyes when I got done. Not sad tears but happy tears. I've NEVER experienced a shave like that off a synthetic stone. It almost tempted me to put my Naniwa up for sale and go buy one. May still do that once I get this worked all out.

Chrome Oxide is not that expensive around 10 bucks, If it is not 99percent pure, it may be your problem.

Buy some good razor quality Chrome Oxide, SPR, Hand America or Kremer Pigments

Save the other stuff for knives or tools.

Yes a good edge is very nice and something that is attainable with the proper tools and a bit of practice.

CrOx is probably causing the temporary irritation. Strop more after honing process.

Update! I went ahead and did my little test. Bad news and goods news. Straight off the hone the shave sucked. Sharp but harsh. This was sort of expected. I went back and stropped 40 times on linen and 100 on leather and the shave was pretty good. Not amazing but certainly passable. I honestly can't tell a single difference between not using CrOx and using it. On my last pass of the shave I decided to A&B it with the one that was honed on a JNat. The JNat honed blade immediately put me into a deep blissful state and then mine ripped me out of it. They are not that far apart but the difference is definitely there and noticeable. So what have we learned from this? Not much. A few different things could be taking place here.
1. I suck at honing.
2. My expectations are too high.
3. Too many variables therefor any results are inconclusive.
4. I'm honestly getting the most out of my Naniwa but I just don't like the shave from it.
5. O'Doyle rules and so do JNats.

Probably a combination of all of them to be honest. Next step I take will be to probably try to get a hold of a JNat and try it myself.

Originally Posted by StraightOverload

Probably a combination of all of them to be honest. Next step I take will be to probably try to get a hold of a JNat and try it myself.

2 things might happen here.
1/ You start a whole new learning curve.
2/ you luck out & everything falls into place.

Don't know if this helps but if I only had a 12k & some CrO & Fe pastes, I could shave happily, even knowing I can get 1-2% improvement with Jnats.
Also the 20k Suehiro blurs the line between Jnat & Synthetic for smoothness. It is much easier to buy a good synthetic than a good Jnat.