Assistance requested please
Greetings!
I've been wet shaving now for about 8 months. When I started, I purchased a feather razor with professional blades. As you may know, the first shave or two with a feather pro is a bit harsh, then the next 5-8 shaves or so are much more comfortable before I find I need to replace the blade. Let's just say the feather professional blade is my benchmark for comfort.
I've purchased a number of straights since, and have honed them on my own. I use a 1k king to set the bevel, and a Norton 4/8 to hone to the best of my ability to shave ready. After the 1K, I ensure my razor is cutting/popping arm hairs before proceeding to the Norton. I've watched every known video (that I'm aware of) on youtube on honing, and have spent time researching the JaNorton thread. I'm using a home-made latigo leather strop, no Chromium oxide (yet). Light stropping pressure and typically 35-50 round trips before shaving. In addition, I use a red marker to ensure my honing strokes are covering the blade, and use a 16x loupe to check progress.
Typically using straight or X honing strokes, easing pressure toward the end of the honing process on each stone. I don't use the circle method. Under the loupe, and after the Norton 8K, the edge looks shiny, but some deep scratch marks are still visible (not sure if this is typical or not). I know the HHT isn't a benchmark for shave ready, but let's just say my razors pass HHT along the length of MOST of my razors. I have never had any of my razors honed by a honemeister....
Hopefully this gives you some general idea of my progress to this point, and some framework around my current honing skills. The point to all this is that I still can't get a smooth, comfortable shave with my straights! Especially in comparison to my Feather. I mean, the shaves with my straights are OK, but are inferior to my Feather for sure. I usually save WTG, then ATG, ALWAYS directly after a hot shower, shaving every other day on average. I have a coarse beard.
My blades include Bengal, Wolstenholms, Packwood, Wade and Butcher, Greaves just to name a few. I own full hollow, quarter hollow, and wedge razors. I tend to gravitate toward wedges and quarter hollows. The wedges are smiling razors, and I'm familiar with Glen's smiling wedge vids - I've watched them multiple times, and feel I've got the rolling X stroke down pretty good as I'm getting good coverage on the strokes. Thanks Glen by the way for some awesome vids!
Questions:
1. Is it time I consider a higher grit finishing stone?
2. Should I just get some Chromium Oxide and see if that gets me the results I'm looking for?
3. Should I consider using a different leather strop like English Bridle leather?
4. Any suggestions/thoughts that I need to consider?
Basically, what would you recommend I do to continue making progress? I feel like I'm stuck...
Sorry for such a long post. But I'm committed to getting an above average shave with a straight razor. Looking for any guidance this community is willing to provide. Thank you!
Jeff