Problems with newly honed razor
I recently honed a razor for our member Heliguy as part of a coticule sale.
However, when he tried to shave with it the result was less than optimal.
He sent me a PM to tell me that this was his third razor that was honed by someone else, and each time the result was not satisfactory, so he'd like to open a discusion on this, but asked if I would open it with a desciption of what I did.
The idea is to start a discussion to figure out why he has problems with razors hone by other people.
The razor in question was a very nice W&B smilling half hollow 11/16. It was a teeny bit warped, but not enough to cause real problems.
I used a basic X pattern on the 4K for 15 or 20 laps. Then I did the 3-3 1-3 1-5 pyramid 2 times, followed by 2 or 3 1-5's.
By then the blade passed the HHT, though not as good as I get with most german razors. I think the relative softness of the steel has something to do with this. The softness of the steel was also visible by the grey traces trailing behind the blade on the 4K.
Anyway, I then took the freshly lapped 4x1.25 coticule and raised a very light slurry. I used 5 laps with an X pattern and the blade angled at 45 degrees backwards.
I rinsed the stone and did 5 laps with the same X but without slurry this time.
I stropped it for 40 laps on the hanging strop that I go for free with my TM #1 heirloom.
It has a surface that looks coated and feels very slightly abrasive. It might be a figment of my imagination but I think it give the blade some extra polishing.
Then I shaved and the shave was very smooth. I do admit that I use an agressive heel leading or toe leading movement (up to 45 degrees with smiling blades), sometimes combines with scything movement at certain locations.
This way I can cut throught the hairs on my jawline without any problems whatsoever. If the blad emovement is straight down like a garage door it gets stuck near my chin and jawline so I never do that.
Well then, I think I listed the relevant things to get this discussion started.