the adventure continues

[joelkerr]

As I practise honing and begin getting good results, my confidence is growing. Yesterday I test shaved a Heljestrand I picked up for cheap a little while ago, and I was very pleasantly surprised at how good a shave it was. Very smooth, very close. Unfortunately, there was some irritation afterwards.

This irritation is something that I find often happens after I hone a razor, and it usually only goes away after 2 or 3 shaves with lots of stropping. I have fairly sensitive skin, but I'm not using any different products or techniques, so I can only assume that I'm doing something wrong in the honing process. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Joel

[Butzy]

Sounds to me like you may be getting it a little too sharp for the sensitivity of your skin? what are you honing on?

[joelkerr]

ah yes, I forgot to include the materials. King 1k, Naniwa 3k, Naniwa 8k, Chromium Oxide on balsa, linen, leather.

[Butzy]

ah yes, I forgot to include the materials. King 1k, Naniwa 3k, Naniwa 8k, Chromium Oxide on balsa, linen, leather.

Hmm, then you got me stumped. I'll leave any "advice" for the more experienced folk, but I've never heard of 8k being too harsh of an edge for anyone.
My first guess would be micro chips in the blade or some sort of edge imperfections, but if it starts to smooth out after a couple of shaves that doesn't equate in my mind. Have you tried skipping the Chrom Ox?

[joelkerr]

Have you tried skipping the Chrom Ox?

I have, and it made it much harsher.

When I look at the blade under the microscope, everything looks fine - although, as stated, I'm still pretty new to this, so my eye isn't very practised.

[Butzy]

Have you had comfortable shaves with this razor before?

[joelkerr]

Have you had comfortable shaves with this razor before?

It's the first time I shaved with this particular razor. But with other razors, I've had good shaves, honed them, had irritation, then eventually back to irritation-less good shaves.

[Butzy]

Interesting. I'm out of ideas. I'll revert back to my original comment about more experienced honers/shavers sharing their insight(s).

[RezDog]

It sounds like you may not be getting enough out of you 3 and 8K hones. Have you tried shaving after each hone. Work your 1K and the. Strop and shave, the. Your 3K and seeing where your shave is after each in the progression. You in theory should be getting more smooth after each hone and strop. It is a good learning tool. Watching closely in your loop the whole way through. There is also an upcoming meet it Toronto. They are superb for learning.

[joelkerr]

It sounds like you may not be getting enough out of you 3 and 8K hones. Have you tried shaving after each hone. Work your 1K and the. Strop and shave, the. Your 3K and seeing where your shave is after each in the progression. You in theory should be getting more smooth after each hone and strop. It is a good learning tool. Watching closely in your loop the whole way through. There is also an upcoming meet it Toronto. They are superb for learning.

Thanks for the advice, I will certainly give it a try!

I would have loved to make it to the TO meet, but unfortunately it's on a weekend when I can't get away. Maybe a Montreal meet will happen one of these days....