Thread: am ruining my blade

Originally Posted by FAL

Sounds like it's coming together for you Lloyd, that is a cool looking razor and strop set.

Thank you. It took me about a year and a half to get hold of it. I liked it already but its now turning into the most enjoyable razor I have.

Reporting back: The stone was playing against me. The stone was sent to Ardennes for inspection and their report reads "The stone had isn't uniform in hardness. some parts are harder, others are softer. This is not visible for the naked eye but when testing it was very clear." I am not an expert nor know the right terms, but if I was to write that report I would replace "hard" by "rough", just because I see a rough section of the stone dulling a blade but not a hard one.

Rod and Randy spotted the problem and tried to solve it for me with lapping; first subtle and then serious lapping with no improvement. If it weren't for them I would be incredibly frustrated thinking only I was to blame. I know another stone won't turn me instantly into a honemeister but I certainly hope to get better results.

Ardennes sent me another stone in replacement that is now on the mail. IMO, this speaks highly of them and the local vendor whom offered sending to Ardennes directly as an option. Now a long wait.

ps: the relatively good results I got with the two shavable blades were obtained by using the smoother third of the stone, like Rod suggested to me. Those blades lasted about 5-6 shaves and I believe now they need to be refreshed.

Ain't it great to get help in person? They helped you discover that, on this rare occasion, you COULD blame the tool!

I did not get to see or handle your hone, but it is possible that it is the softer part that is rough.