Thread: Ding near toe... go right to the 1K?

I think Euclid440 was right, I needed much more pressure on the heel and toe. I put on fresh tape and did 20 strokes on the 8K, again with blade perpendicular to the stone, doing X stroke, with very firm pressure on heel and toe...



I'm pretty happy with what I'm seeing right now. Will stop for today, and based on people's feedback, will proceed tomorrow (don't want to try too much at once, since is going better).

Bevel looks a lot cleaner now

A lot of pretty pictures but no mention of how it shaves...

Originally Posted by kelbro

A lot of pretty pictures but no mention of how it shaves...

Still need to get up to 12k and then I'll test shave it (though could do sooner)


sent from my phone.

Originally Posted by pcm

Still need to get up to 12k and then I'll test shave it (though could do sooner)

IMHO if you needed firm pressure on an 8k you didn't set the bevel properly or your stroke is not compensating for warp
As you said you may need to lift the blade slightly at certain points.

The problem with using pressure this late in the progression is that the edge will be so fine that it can crumble & break giving you an uncomfortable shave. You simply cannot use firm pressure on your 12k or you will be chasing your tail.

btw. Gratz on your progress.

I'll try more strokes on the 8k, trying to roll, more than apply pressure, and see how it goes. Still seems like I'm only half way up on the bevel in some places.

Hopefully Thursday, I'll get some time to work on it.

Originally Posted by pcm

Still seems like I'm only half way up on the bevel in some places.

You need contact at the edge & the lightest strokes will give you that, at this point, with the right stroke. Don't worry about contacting the shoulder (top) of the bevel. The pressure you used has thinned the blade & made the bevel larger in spots so just focus on the edge area. It should polish up before the shoulder. If the shoulder follows, well & good if the scratches remain coarser there, don't worry. If only half of the bevel polishes up ie the edge half, that's all you need. Chasing a polish on the whole bevel may waste steel & compromise an already good edge.

If you're bevel is not right, 8k & above is a waste of time.
Another bevel set tip. You can work on specific areas' rubbing the blade back n' forwards if bevel is incomplete then do your longer strokes to even it up

Many know I don't care for tape. You are just screwing with the proper geometry of the blade to much for me. There are many on here who offer honing & restoration services services. I think you would be better off to have someone restore that edge before it is too late. You should be able to cut hair at every level of hone. If you can't you "AIN'T done with that hone. I hope you get it sorted out.

Slawman

Originally Posted by Slawman

Many know I don't care for tape. You are just screwing with the proper geometry of the blade to much for me. There are many on here who offer honing & restoration services services.

Appreciate the concern on the edge, but my goal is to learn to maintain my razors, and hence the posting and requests for guidance/feedback. Sending it out to a pro (which I did on the first honing of this new blade), doesn't help me learn the process to sharpen a razor. Through, hone several razors so far, I'm learning that each has peculiarities that need to be considered, and the honing process adapted to meet those needs.

Regarding taping, it seems to be a highly debated idea, with good points on each side. For me, I've made the decision that, after my first honing, where I wore down the spine, before seeking guidance, and having other blades that had some challenging edges (I've posted about a near wedge with a large smile and really challenging bevel - that I was able to successfully hone with lots of guidance), that taping is a reasonable approach for me to use.

I think you would be better off to have someone restore that edge before it is too late. You should be able to cut hair at every level of hone. If you can't you "AIN'T done with that hone. I hope you get it sorted out.

Slawman

Is there something specific in the process that I'm doing, that you feel is leading to unrecoverable damage to the edge? I'd like to hear what and why, so that I can consider take actions to prevent that. I surely don't want to damage the blade needlessly, but none of the blades I have are considered too valuable to lose (I don't have any with sentimental value, or that are expensive/fancy).

FYI, this blade is cutting arm hair, and has been, since the 1K stage, however, for me, that hasn't been a great indicator of a comfortable shave.

Heel and toe still need a bit more work, not honing to the edge at the heel and toe.

More so on the toe.