Thread: Using a pen as a sharpness guide

I have a Thiers-Issard 6/8 Spartacus razor. It is a full hollow and was delivered "shave ready". I have a 3" Norton 4k/8k stone and when the razor was bought I checked the bevel and to me I saw no need to start honing on the 4K.

With no tape on the spine I run a blue Sharpie pen across the edge and 1/16 wide either side. Light honing on the 8K quickly removed the ink evenly across the length and evenly on both sides.

I then leather stropped around twenty trips.

As this is my first straight razor I was not sure what to expect regarding the shave experience. My first shave took 40 minutes even although I had watched numerous YouTube head shot videos. I tried to maintain the 30 deg angle which was difficult as I have very loose skin around my chin that I cannot stretch enough to make it taught.

Since then I have had around twenty shaves stropping between each one. Not being satisfied with the dragging experience I have twice re-honed on the 8K again using the Sharpie pen. I have also tried chromium oxide on the linen strap stropping 15 times then finishing off with 20 on the leather.

Yesterday my shave was terrible with the blade dragging both with and against the growth direction.

Obviously I am inexperienced in both honing, stropping and shaving but I'm determined to improve. I recently had a spine operation (my back, not the razor spine ) and was forced to return to using Mach3 razor. Shaving with Mach3 is a most enjoyable and quick experience. Now that I'm back using the SR, I need help to fix the dragging.

In simple terms, is removing the edge ink evenly on both sides using an 8K stone not enough to ensure a good shave?

Ian

In short, all you know about honing a knife - forget.

Yes just taking the ink off is not enough. You can use it to help with the bevel setting and to ensure that you are even in you honing strokes but there is much more to a razor than that

You will be looking for signs of how the edge is progressing during each stage in the progression.

Bevel set:
Is it popping arm hair. How does it feel during the thumb pad test. Etc. most important before progressing - is the bevel truely set?

During the progression how is it doing? Is its ability to cut getting better or worse? Is the previous Stria being removed

Finishing stone:
How does it shave? That is the most important question. And there are other tests you can do but the shave test is you most important. If you can't shave comfortably off a 8k then your razor is not finished or you may need to go back a step or two in progression.

With knives we try for how sharp. With razors we try for how well it cuts and how smooth.

More than you EVER wanted to know about honing with a Norton 4/8 can be found right here

The best part of the JaNorton thread is it chronicles experiences from Experts, Beginners, and everyone in between

Enjoy the read and ask questions


http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...on-2012-a.html


Edit: You have a 3" 4/8 is that 3" wide by 8" long ????

Thanks for your replies. Here is a x200 image of the edge. I understand and agree with the comment that it is how the blade shaves that matters. However I cannot understand why my edge in this image (the other side is to my eye the same) drags.



Ian

Thanks, I had already read that thread but in a different forum. It was pleasing to read so many saying that they found using only the 8K shave satisfactory.

Ian

That image doesn't show wether the two bevels meet to form an actual edge. Your first post indicates that you made the assumption that the bevel was set based on observation and that you thought that merely removing ink from the bevels would hone the edge. You shave with the edge, not the bevels - and you must begin by examining the edge. Read the thread you have been directed to and start with the assumption that your bevel is not set. Trying to learn to shave while learning to hone at the same time only increases the number of variables you are dealing with while reducing your chances of success. As a beginner, you should not be making any assumptions at all.

Where are you located? There may be a member in your area that can help mentor you. The razor may not have been truly shave ready and your lack of honeing experience did not help. I live in Pompano Beach Florida. If you are close or want to pay shipping I can hone it and ship it back first class mail at your cost for shipping only. If interested PM me and I will give you my mailing address.
Leonard

Yes my Norton is 3"x8"x1" why the ?????
Ian

Because there are some cut down Norton's that are about useless for actual honing and only good for touch ups