I refreshed my TI and a Bismark Dovo today. Thought it would be a good time as I just received a Ralf Aust 7/8 with horn scales from SRD on Saturday (love it) and so have a very fresh impression of a truly good edge.

The TI was shaving pretty good but feeling a little harsher than it should. Did about a dozen no pressure laps on my Nani 12,000 SS, followed that with a dozen light laps on a CrOx treated leather strop, 40 laps on linen and 120 on leather.

The Dovo has been giving me fits and I've tried refreshing with just a 12,000 and have not gotten it where it should be and so I went down to the 8,000, then to the 12 and then the CrOx, linen and leather.

I shaved the right side with the Dovo and the left with the TI. Athough both sides were BBS, my wife said the TI side was slightly better. I'm learning that a BBS right after the shave is not the real test but how it feels four or eight hours after the shave is the real test.

The Dovo will need some more work as I can now feel whiskers on that side of my face and the TI side is still smooth as can be.

I'd have to say the TI is shaving as well as the new Aust.

I've only been honing for about 8 months and still feel that I don't know what I'm doing but it sure is satisfying when you get really good results.