Thread: Dealing with a Microchip

Hey everyone, I have a quick question about removing a microchip from an edge. Before using a razor yesterday, vintage with a very sharp factory edge, I noticed a microchip close to the toe. This was under 60x magnification. The shave wasn't bad, but a bit harsh. I'm not sure if it was the microchip or the factory honing.

To remove this would I need to send it all the way to the 1K and go from there or is it possible to remove it on a finisher? (I.e. Escher, JNat). I could also put it on a coticule if necessary.

Ideally I would like to run it a couple of laps on a finisher and be done but I'm guessing it will be a bit trickier than that.

Any help or input would be appreciated. Thanks!

It depends on how micro, or macro, that chip is. In general I would say that a natural finisher is not the best tool for the task.

Oh jeez, wait a minute. I just remembered that you said factory honing. In that case you would be better off dropping all the way down to 1k. However, you have nothing to lose but a little time, and you might learn something, if you try your finishing approach first. Go ahead and try touching it up with the finisher and then test shave it. This is especially helpful since you've got magnification. This will help you see if the factory edge is at the correct angle.

Experimentation is how you learn, so have at it!

Can it be done yes http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...l-setting.html

It all depends in your confidence and ability.
Dont know what synthetics you have but a jnat with botan would probably work, never tried it myself, I usually just go straight to a Naniwa 5k for microchips.

It is all about the size/depth of the Chip and your skill with the hones

I had a tiny Carbide pop yesterday after Linen stropping, (The exact reason I always do Linen after honing) the resulting "Chip" was actually only on one side of the bevel and was barely visible... It took me about 10 minutes on a Nakayama using an extremely fine Mejiro misty slurry to remove it..

I decided to go that route because the "Chip was so small, had it been through the bevel that might have warranted a drop to the 10k or 5k Chosera...

All about reading the bevel along with realistically evaluating your skills



Hehehehe looks like we were all typing and thinking at the same time

Are you looking at the chip from the side of straight down on the edge”

If the shave is harsh, it may be more than one chip or the bevels are not meeting.

Sometimes with new razors, you get lucky and a good stropping on linen and leather will get them shaving, sometimes (usually) not. I do a lot of new razors…Dovo and TI’s. I often strop them to see how close they are to shaving, then reset the bevel and hone from a 1 or 4 k up.

While some will shave, the angles are usually off, (too steep) from honing with the spine off the hone.

Look straight down on the edge with magnification, if you see shinny reflections, they are chips, a rolled edge or where the bevels are not meeting.

As said, depending on what you see…

Thanks for all the help and responses! It's really appreciated.

Euclid, to answer your question I saw it only on one side of the bevel looking from the side. It was small.

I don't have any other synthetics besides a chosera 1K for bevel setting. I have an Escher and a JNat with a Naugura set and a coticule. I wasn't quite sure if I needed to go all the way to the 1K to take it out as it looks pretty small, but it's the first time I'm dealing with microchips. But then again, being able to see it under only 60x could mean it's big.

I'm very new to honing. But I have been able to do several razors successfully from bevel set through shave ready edges. Then again it's a decent vintage razor that I don't want to mess up. So if it's fixable with a few laps on a natural finisher I feel like I could do it, but anything further I may think about sending it out. I'm not too sure how to go at this point.

So, 60x should be enough to see what is happening on the edge and bevel. Posting a pic of your razor may help in advising you.

Here is a post with Micrographs, that will show you what to look for.
Second Try at Honing.
Post 42, page 9, Photos 4 & 5 (upper right-hand corner) show and edge that is close, (not fully set). Post 51, page 11, first photo, shows a fully set bevel.

Most probably the bevel is not fully set, (harsh edge).

Look straight down on the edge. If it is minor, try a Diamond nagura on the Jnat, finish on a thin, tomo or your finest nagura, you can always get more aggressive if needed.

Sounds like you are close, don't give up yet...