Thread: Noob needs help!

Was the bevel ever set post the factory. The foundation may be your problem.
If it's been shaving well for 4 months as you say then it's something you did wrong on the 12k or you've adjusted to a degrading edge which may need more than 12k.
Some macro pics may tell us more. The first pic seems as if bevels are not meeting in centre of pic.

Yup, post some micrographs of the edge, photos of your stones, don’t think you have a true 12k, I have never heard of a 8/12k combo stone, and photo of the razor.

Is your green paste, razor quality, pure Chrome Oxide or green buffing compound?

You have a generous offer, but if you want to do it yourself, that is possible also.

You, must learn to strop as said, just one errant swipe on a strop can ruin and edge. Hands on mentoring will dramatically cut your learning curve.

Here is a good thread (Second Try at Honing), that you can compare your bevels to the micro graphs of the poster.

Originally Posted by Jfavre08

Come on man, don't be THAT guy. Yes I'm "pretty new" but after 4 months of nothing but straights I leave the house every day with a DFS or better.... you clearly have some knowledge so why not help me out with my actual question?

Well that's just it, am that guy. I gave an honest answer, poor honing and stropping from inexperience and before you can shave better, creates difficulty that aren't needed. Plus using proven stones helps too. Getting one on one is the best help, but I have had great shaves from a razor that I thought was dull, "After I learned to shave ". That's why it's so hard to learn honing till you really can shave, and stropping is the most important aspect.

Ok to answer the question, get it honed by someone who knows how or meet someone to correct your mistakes so you can get back to shaving. Good luck. Tc

I think to much pressure on the razor has damaged more edges than any other one thing. Also improper stropping is a edge killer.
I came from a knife sharpening background & thought I knew what I was doing out of the gate BUT I had to learn a whole new process to sharpen a razor. Take it slow & get some help from a pro.

Slawman