Did a little something different in honing this weekend. Wanted to try out the edge off of my Zulu with dry laps. And Outback sent me his PHIG and a razor honed on it so I could try the edge and hone a razor to see if I could get the same edge he got. BTW, the edge he put on his razor with the PHIG was so sharp it was uncomfortable. Even to a pro shaver like Outback. He warned me about it. I have shaved with his razor 3 times before now and it is just keen as hell! Little razor burn even when being very careful. Checked the edge with my loupe and it was very straight and not chipped, but it felt chipped to me.
Attachment 286235
First one was the Torrey I finished restoring last week. What I did was to hone it with Naniwa progression up to 12K. Found a little chip so it took a little more work on the 1K but came to a nice keen edge. Then I put it on the PHIG. Must have been about 50 to 70 laps, then another 20 or so with a touch of soap in the water.
Attachment 286234
The second one was my trusty Kama. I always get the best shave from it. Its got the tiniest bevel. Even with a 40x loupe its hard to see the scratches on the bevel. I touched it up on the 12K then went to the Zulu Dry, while sitting and watching TV for about 45 minutes. Smooth on the stone for sure.
Attachment 286236
Shave test was just a few minutes ago. What I found was,
Outbacks razor finally calmed down. It was keen still but not as aggressive as it was the first 3 times shaving with it. Nice!
The Torrey on the PHIG by my hand, was comfortable. I felt the comfort of a natural stone but without the rubbery feeling I get with natural edges. Sorry, I don't know how else to describe it except rubbery. :shrug: But my edge was very nice and felt wonderful.
2 for 2...
My Kama was very smooth. And with it being on a natural stone I did not feel the rubbery feeling, again! It's like as if the 300 or so laps dry, with the weight of the blade only, did the trick. I always get great shaves from this Kama, but this made it more comfortable and a dream to shave with.
After the shave, I grabbed up the Alum and felt next to nothing from it. Splash of Clubman Original and again, next to no burn.
Sorry for going on and on but I just wanted to share my experience of my last honing. I think I might finally be understanding what I'm doing when I hone. Maybe! Its taken long enough, that for sure!
Thanks to Mike for the loan of the PHIG and a super keen razor. I now know there IS such a thing as too damn sharp!