Refresh Results

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.

A good friend once said.

When you want to refresh a razor, drop down one more grade on your hones than you think it neccessary. If you think the 8K and 12K or 16K is what's needed, drop down to the 4K for 6 to 12 swipes and then work your way back up. I do not know why, but is seems we are always optimistic on how much work we need to do.

It might have been *slightly* excessive on your Ti, but adequate for your Dovo, with the both evening out in the end and you only needing to do the refresh ONCE.

I'm not saying this is YOUR answer, but it's working pretty good for me right now.


Regards

Christian

Sounds like you got the technique down, how to hone, what is missing is the, why and how much.

Fortunately, unlike most new guys you are proceeding slowly, no straight to the DMT…

Look at the edge, find out what is the problem, first, then do what the edge needs. If the edge does not “feel” right, it is usually a chip, microchips or a dull edge, maybe a small part a result of a bad stropping stroke.

So depending on what the issue is, determines how deep/aggressive you need to go.

A 12k SS can be an aggressive stone, but sometimes it is easier to drop to the 8K and polish on the 12. Learning how to diagnose problem is the most difficult thing for most. Start with the least destructive and add aggression as needed, or if you have a large chip, bite the bullet and reset the bevel on a 1K. Good magnification will tell you quickly.

Here is a good thread, “My first honing attempt”, that shows what a properly set edge looks like. Post 41 has photos of a fully set bevel edge. The thread has lots of good info.

I've checked it and no micro-chips, going to give the Dovo some no pressure laps on the 12k and then some more laps on the CrOx. It is so close, but just not quite there yet.

If this does not work, then I'll drop back down but I'm hopeful that it will, as it is so close.

I have progressed enough to no longer being happy with just a nice shaveable edge, it has to be almost perfect and that just leads to more practice.

I'll get it right, maybe not tomorrow but soon.