Thread: Unbeleivable Edge

I am able to get a comfortable shaving edge out of the cuticle and the thuri. It is certain I can learn to use both of these better and get a still better edge. There is a big difference, however, between the edges I get and can envision getting out of those stones and the edge of the Henckel or the edges Phil puts on razors. I'm trying to up my game without having to hone 1000 razors. Hopefully the 20k stone will help. I also have a 1k and 3k stone and do occasionally reset the bevel on my razors. I don't do it often but do do it.

Originally Posted by dcaven

I am able to get a comfortable shaving edge out of the cuticle and the thuri. It is certain I can learn to use both of these better and get a still better edge. There is a big difference, however, between the edges I get and can envision getting out of those stones and the edge of the Henckel or the edges Phil puts on razors. I'm trying to up my game without having to hone 1000 razors. Hopefully the 20k stone will help. I also have a 1k and 3k stone and do occasionally reset the bevel on my razors. I don't do it often but do do it.

Setting the bevel is not always necessarry but being able to is.

Someone mentioned earlier about getting great shaves at 8k. The essence ,I think, is being able to max out each stone so the higher you go is always an improvement up to a certain point. Then the knowing when to stop part comes in.

Same thing I say everytime I send a razor to Glen. I can get pretty good shaves but not like the edge Glen gets. It blows my mind how something so simple is so hard at times.

Same here RezDog! One day my edges are just ok, the next they are a personal best... I too, have a hard time getting the perfect edge consistently. While I'm getting better I'm still a long way off from consistent perfect edges. Just practice, practice, practice is the only advice I can give.

I've never honed a razor for anyone that I wasn't selling (as in one out of my rotation), as opposed to picking up a razor and restoring it.

I'd imagine the difference between good and blindingly good is oxides or submicron diamonds. Am I missing something? At least if that edge is to be had on every razor in every type of steel.

I used to run my razors through oxides before sending them, but for me personally, they are so sharp that they just shave every single bump off of my face, even with light pressure. So I send them natural stone only now, and figure that if someone else likes that sort of thing, the edge I'm leaving them with can be very easily stepped up with an oxide to that weeper maker level (which is pretty luxurious in places where there aren't bumps to turn to weepers - sides of cheeks and such).

I noticed that when I did send razors out with oxide honed edges, new shavers would always send back a message talking about how sharp they were but that "I think I did something wrong, because I've only shaved four or five times and it's not as sharp now". Yeah, well, that's how it goes! Ever since I've gone to honing with a natural stone, and then linen and then leather, I've only gotten one positive comment...

. i guess that means I like dull razors.

Edge chasing is a journey through transient states and oddly calibrated expectations.