Thread: My edges seem to be coming more harsh

I restore as much as possible and ive had a time of it at times getting the bevel set but have worked thru that learning some new tecniques. Ive learned to hone thru little steps from 1k, 3k, 5k, 8k, and finshing with 12k. I had been really happy with the outcome with pretty smooth and sharp edges but in the last couple months ive noticed im loosing the smooth part of this.

The only thing that comes to mind that i have been doing differenly is spending more time on the 12k stone working the bevel more to get rid of more of the stria left behind. This is being done with very little preasure and the bevels are really comming out with little stria left but now im noticing the comfort leval getting less and this confuses me.

Shouldnt less stria left on the bevel make the edge even that much straighter and in turn smoother feeling? Im going to go back to the 8k then 12k again on a razor or two for testing but its just not making sense to me why this is happening. B5W, checking with a loupe im finding no chips or anything on the edge that could be causing this.

Ideas? Comments?

Jerry too much time on that 12k will work your edge down too thin and start foiling, my opinion only. But your doing to much on it if your getting harsh shaves, this edge will break down and start microchipping also. If you have all your scratches out of the bevel at the 8k level try just doing 8/10 laps or for 8-10 then do 8-10 ultra light like butterfly kisses. Orr and here's another one to try. Add one layer of tape to your razor more than your using, and do 5-10 ultralight laps creating a micro bevel that will not crumble. Plus as you said it's just lately since your spending more time on it.

I think most people use to many laps. The 12k naniwa is aggressive. Watch Glen's video again on the naniwa, I watched him and Lynn hone in person, and you would be surprised at how few laps they actually use. Take this for what it's worth, I don't hone all the time, but I don't do many strokes and the results speak for their self. Tc

This is from an amateur honer so take it for what it is worth. Some small stria on a bevel only matters if they reach to the edge making it toothy. If you think you are getting an edge that is foiling on the 12K try 1 or 2 back strokes, spine leading/edge trailing, followed by a couple of very light normal strokes. I finish on a 12K Naniwa and then strop 20 laps on a Crox sprayed hanging felt strop followed by linen and leather. The Crox treatment seems to help also. Good luck.

Bob

Yet more input from yet another hobbyist honer here. I also have the Naniwa SS 12k and was supremely fortunate enough to have hands-on training from Glen. Between that tutelage and Glen’s Naniwa videos, I’ve learned to keep the total number of strokes on the the 12k to a reasonable level (e.g., 20 or less). Using a 30-60x loupe, I simply verify that nearly all of the 10k stria are replaced with 12k.

I also mimic Glen’s restraint when using Eschers, a stone not known for its tendency to overhone an edge; he’s not doing 50 to 100+ strokes, so I don’t either.

FWIW, I also use a CeOx treated board strop (yet more thanks to Glen) and 10 finishing laps once off of the stones to help increase smoothness.

Originally Posted by BobH

This is from an amateur honer so take it for what it is worth. Some small stria on a bevel only matters if they reach to the edge making it toothy. If you think you are getting an edge that is foiling on the 12K try 1 or 2 back strokes, spine leading/edge trailing, followed by a couple of very light normal strokes. I finish on a 12K Naniwa and then strop 20 laps on a Crox sprayed hanging felt strop followed by linen and leather. The Crox treatment seems to help also. Good luck.

Bob

I think that Bob is giving some good advice here. Whenever I finish on a 12K Nani I regularly use back stokes or 'stropping strokes', and also, particularly on very thin hollow grinds will sometimes 'deaden the edge' by very lightly drawing the edge a couple of times on the corner of the stone before proceeding to finish the blade with light strokes. I always make sure the bevel is completely polished all the way to the edge, making for a very smooth shave. JMHO....!

Thanks guys. I had a feeling this might be the issue. Its really the only thing that has changed in my honing. Thanks for confirming this. I have herd about the spine leading strokes but really havent tried it. Ive also herd of lightly killing the edge in my prgression of honning but never tried it at the 12k level. I think the next time i get a chance ill kill the edge and go back to 8k. Then 12 again with just a few laps. Guessing my time spent getting the bevel set is putting too many deep scratches in the bevel and im just trying to work them out. Maybe changing stones too fast.

BTW, I keep checking for chipping on the edge until my eyes go fuzy and im not seeing any when at the 8 and 12k level. Maybe its smaller than i can see?

When you are setting the bevel and feel it is set just do some very light strokes on the bevel setter to finish off. Actually keep lightening up on your strokes as you near the set stage.

Bob

Realrazors on youtube just posted a vid that shows the chipping i hadnt seen. It hets stronger mag. As it goes and that was nice to see. The first couple views are what i normally see but the closer views are beyond what my equipment can show.

You can see a few sparkles in the first couple views but at closer view there are lots of issues.

Tha ks for the vid!

BTW, i dont remember who realrazors is, but he's one of us. CRS strikes again.

Jerry if you look at he edge under strong magnification , it scares you how ragged it looks. Tc