Thread: My edges seem to be coming more harsh

Well, I'm not really happy with what the bevel looks like but as we know, that only matters to a point. So this final pic is after the repairing of the edge and going thru the progression back up to 12K and stropping.
BTW, when on the 12K I did 8 laps, rinsed and did 8 more, rinsed then did 5 spine leading laps. When I went back and did a final 5 laps after the spine leading I noticed the undercutting of the edge was undercutting even more. So I'm guessing the spine leading strokes really does help in the end. (All laps were as lightly as I could manage).
Now a shave test.
Total time on this razor = 2hrs and 45 minutes.



Any comments on this bevel? Should I have spent more time on the 5 and 8K?

TBH, I have never used any more than a magnifier visor (Dork!) or a 5X loupe. Or both!
Too much magnification is scary. Still, if you could not see that cheese without it, the scope has shown you the light.

Which you dimmed!

Bevel looks great!


TBH, you don't HAVE to backhone. It does take things back, you know.
It just helps as you go a bit much, I think!

Didn't realize back-honing takes you back. I was thinking it might straighten things out a bit more. HUH.

The test shave was much better but still not the smoothest shave I've had. Got a little more to do I guess. Sharpness was there, but after the shave I looked again and found another spot that didn't get fixed or maybe showed up during the shave. Its not from pitting like the last area. Just a small ding. Didn't notice it before the shave.

Yep, that last pic was a bit dimmer as I was playing with the light and forgot to bring it back up.

I was wrong. Again! Ha. It was Rayclem not Bob that has the same microscope that I use.

It looks like you are making serious progress on that edge!!!

When I get swiss cheese edges like that I grab my 320 DMT, raise the spine off the hone and take off some serious metal until some nice fresh steel is found

Originally Posted by Gasman

Well, I'm not really happy with what the bevel looks like but as we know, that only matters to a point. So this final pic is after the repairing of the edge and going thru the progression back up to 12K and stropping.
BTW, when on the 12K I did 8 laps, rinsed and did 8 more, rinsed then did 5 spine leading laps. When I went back and did a final 5 laps after the spine leading I noticed the undercutting of the edge was undercutting even more. So I'm guessing the spine leading strokes really does help in the end. (All laps were as lightly as I could manage).
Now a shave test.
Total time on this razor = 2hrs and 45 minutes.



Any comments on this bevel? Should I have spent more time on the 5 and 8K?

This pic says a LOT. Notice how the scratch marks fron the previous stone are present. Stones 1, 2, &4k are the foundation to a quality shaving edge. Pay attention to "stiction", this is how you feel when the time is to move to the next stone.

That last picture sure shows some pitting right in the edge and bevel. To me you need to get to some better steel. Tc

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

That last picture sure shows some pitting right in the edge and bevel. To me you need to get to some better steel. Tc

I think that you are looking at the blade up side down Tc. Those pits are at the back of the bevel and should cause no problem.

There was still a tiny spot at the edge. So when i found another chip closer to the middle on the bleade i went back to the 2k and fixed it and at the same time took another bit of steal out. So fixed both. The pitting on this bevel is here and there and id have to take out more and more but in the end it would take way more than i should so ive found an area where im at now that still has pitting but its not on the edge. Still in the bevel but only 2 little spots and not bad.

Got to wait for more beard groth so i can test shave again. And ive finally got it thru my head that a mirror finsh on the bevel is not needed. Going to try and knock out a few more this weekend.

Also, i will use the usb BUT, it is only for checking for dings in the edge! If i was to look at everything i see wrong i feel its just more than really needs to be corrected. Its just to much detail for what really maters. Well, im hoping. Its all learning as when i pick up the loupe i cant see any of these things i see in the usb.

Time will tell if im right.

Again as a novice honer, I have found that pitting makes no difference so long as it is not on the edge. Also found that a tiny chip barely visible with my loupe made next to no difference in my shave. That is why I don't bother with higher magnifications provided by usb scopes. It would make an extremely minute chip seem like look like a major problem.

Bob