Big success

Monday evening I honed up this razor, my first covered tang. Came out really well, smooth shave, no tugging, very pleased with myself. If any knows what it is I'd be much obliged the blade is engraved Finest India Steel, Extra Hollow Ground. Nothing on the tang obviously.
Attachment 260165

Feeling pretty pleased with myself I decided to try again the next night and managed to do 2 straights from bevel set. The first is a Hunter and says Warranted Steel on the blade, but is pretty faded. The 2nd Is a George Wostenholm celebrated IXL. That one needed some extra work on the 1K naniwa due to some slightly larger chips on the edge. Still Considering I used to need several sessions to do 1 razor this is a huge breakthrough for me. It seems I am starting to do it right :) I havent tried the Hunter yet but the Wosty was a revelation. Fantastically smooth, I dont think I have ever managed to shave as quickly before and I wasn't trying to go fast. I think Ill probably go back to the covered tang straight and see if I can bring it up to the same level
For those interested I did 1/5/8/12K naniwas and finished with Welsh slate then took to pasted strop using Dovo red and black paste, linen then leather strop.

I believe your covered tang razor is a Boker. Often what is written on a covered tang get obliterated over time from scrapping when opening and closing the razor. In the right light with a loupe you may be able to make something out on the covered tang. Congrats on your honing.

Bob

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Originally Posted by BobH

I believe your covered tang razor is a Boker. Often what is written on a covered tang get obliterated over time from scrapping when opening and closing the razor. In the right light with a loupe you may be able to make something out on the covered tang. Congrats on your honing.

Bob

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Ran and checked the tang with the loupe, yes there is some signs of wear but no signs there was anything stamped/etched written or whatever on it.
Still thanx for the info

Good luck chasing that perfect edge on your other razor because I have seen 1 or 2 gents claim that their Wostenholm IXL's shave like a dream!

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Originally Posted by AlanQ

Ran and checked the tang with the loupe, yes there is some signs of wear but no signs there was anything stamped/etched written or whatever on it.
Still thanx for the info

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Last week i told a guy to go over shank with a crayon, Then wipe it off with paper towel wrapped around a hard surface if there is any letters the wax will stay in them, I believe it is a Boker Also, Ty

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Originally Posted by AlanQ

Ran and checked the tang with the loupe, yes there is some signs of wear but no signs there was anything stamped/etched written or whatever on it.
Still thanx for the info

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Bob is absolutely correct that's a Boker, congrats on your successful honing.
Attachment 260196

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Originally Posted by Speedster

Good luck chasing that perfect edge on your other razor because I have seen 1 or 2 gents claim that their Wostenholm IXL's shave like a dream!

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If I dont try.......

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Originally Posted by Martin103

Bob is absolutely correct that's a Boker, congrats on your successful honing.
Attachment 260196

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Yup that's it alright!
Thanx now Im off to the library to see what I can find out. well not really off to the library just opening a new tab, this forum has good resources

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Originally Posted by AlanQ

Ran and checked the tang with the loupe, yes there is some signs of wear but no signs there was anything stamped/etched written or whatever on it.
Still thanx for the info

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I guess I should have said it "is" a Boker because I shave with a Boker like that.

Bob

Ok the database has nothing on the Boker Fine India Steel but according to the database King Cutters have a round point, but I have one with a square point. Also have one with a round point. Perhaps the database could be modified?

Just tried out the Hunter and it was about midway between the Boker and the Wosty so I guess I was getting better each time :)

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Originally Posted by AlanQ

If I dont try.......

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Agreed, that's exactly how you improve your skills honing. Practice indeed makes for improvement. :tu

Just an update on this.
Saturday I use dthe IXL again and it didnt go well. My wife kept calling on me to do this or that and I had a horrible shave, lot so tugging, nicks and not smooth at all. Dammit why cant women understand you NEVER EVER disturb a man when he is in the bathroom unless it is to join him in the shower.
Tuesday after my face had healed I tried it again when no one was home. Like the first time ultra smooth, I actually stopped a few times to feel my face because there was no resistance and not even any of the usual noise of the whiskers being cut :)
The only razor I have that comapres is my grandfathers Sansouci that Outback restored for me, just as smooth but I can hear the screams of my whiskers as it decapitates them

Try finishing on the 12k Naniwa, and leave the Welsh Slate out of the progression. You are probably going backwards in grit with it.

A properly stropped 12k Naniwa edge is a fine shaving edge, if you need a little more, some Chrome Oxide will get you there.

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Originally Posted by Euclid440

Try finishing on the 12k Naniwa, and leave the Welsh Slate out of the progression. You are probably going backwards in grit with it.

A properly stropped 12k Naniwa edge is a fine shaving edge, if you need a little more, some Chrome Oxide will get you there.

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I love my Welsh slates but...I'll second this. Especially if you're stropping on any sort of pastes. I don't know what the ones you've got are comprised of, but they're more than likely erasing anything you did with the Welsh slate. If you like the edge you're getting off the pastes you can likely cut the slate out of the regimen and save yourself some effort/time.

Personally I enjoy my natural finishers, so I don't use pastes outside of the one razor I've set aside as a test bed for them.

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Originally Posted by Marshal

I love my Welsh slates but...I'll second this. Especially if you're stropping on any sort of pastes. I don't know what the ones you've got are comprised of, but they're more than likely erasing anything you did with the Welsh slate. If you like the edge you're getting off the pastes you can likely cut the slate out of the regimen and save yourself some effort/time.

Personally I enjoy my natural finishers, so I don't use pastes outside of the one razor I've set aside as a test bed for them.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Euclid440

Try finishing on the 12k Naniwa, and leave the Welsh Slate out of the progression. You are probably going backwards in grit with it.

A properly stropped 12k Naniwa edge is a fine shaving edge, if you need a little more, some Chrome Oxide will get you there.

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Actually up to now Ive been finishing on the 12k Naniwas and really only reached this level of success once I started ot use the Welsh Slates.

So, if you are not getting a shaving edge from a Naniwa 12k, then something else is going on with your technique.

To trouble shoot your technique, eliminate all the variables or as many as you can. A Natural stone of unknow grit, used with or without slurry is a huge variable.

A Naniwa progression is a bullet proof progression and a Naniwa 12k is a proven shaving edge, it is pretty much the current Gold Standard.

Set yourself up for success with a proven finisher. Once you master a synthetic technique, then introduce naturals finishers. You will quickly know if any issues are the stone or technique.

Look straight down on the edge, any reflection on the edge are where the bevels are not meeting. Depending on what you see, re-set the edge on the 5 or 8k and finish on the 12k.

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Originally Posted by Euclid440

So, if you are not getting a shaving edge from a Naniwa 12k, then something else is going on with your technique.

To trouble shoot your technique, eliminate all the variables or as many as you can. A Natural stone of unknow grit, used with or without slurry is a huge variable.

A Naniwa progression is a bullet proof progression and a Naniwa 12k is a proven shaving edge, it is pretty much the current Gold Standard.

Set yourself up for success with a proven finisher. Once you master a synthetic technique, then introduce naturals finishers. You will quickly know if any issues are the stone or technique.

Look straight down on the edge, any reflection on the edge are where the bevels are not meeting. Depending on what you see, re-set the edge on the 5 or 8k and finish on the 12k.

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No I am getting good shaves off the 12k naniwa but not the same level as when I started using the Welsh slate.
As to technique it is definitely getting better, perhaps that is despite the Welsh slate :shrug:
I suppose the next ones I could do some with the Welsh slate some without and see what happens.

Finish on the 12k, and shave. Re-finish the same razor on the Welch and shave.

If worst, just re-finish on the 12k, again and you are good.

Using slurry is/can be difficult to learn and can vary with each stone and the razor. You will have to learn each stone and the slurry, how and how much to slurry for the effect you want.

Finishing on slurry, from a 12k edge is very different from a one stone hone, from a 1k to finish or even from a 4-5k to finish.

How you raise your slurry(s) Diamond Slurry, tomo or other slurries, will also affect performance, as will water only finishes. You just have to experiment. And keep in mind that a Ebay Welch slurry is very different from a Coticule, Escher and finish Jnat, those techniques may or may not work.

I find that finishing on slurry, from a, 8 or 12k, start with a thin slurry and adjust, as needed.