Thread: Trying to gauge the right level of sharpness

Well yesterday was the 1st time I’ve ever honed an edge that was just way too sharp. I came off 5k to diamond slurry to tomo slurry on a size 100 Shoubodani. I cleaned it of and did water laps until the haze turned into a near mirror finish. It was one of those shaves that meant I couldn’t even breath wrong! I’ve spent some time shaving right off a carefully stropped 5k and that was very close to what I want but it’s just a bit short of my hypothetical target. I have a very small Dressante bout that I like but I don’t have an 8k or larger Coticule that I really like and I’m not sure how to bridge the gap between the 5k and the Dressante. Technically I could try the Norton 8k. The micron size is about the same as the Shapton Pro 5k but I still suspect the Norton may be a bit more keen than the Shapton 5k. Any other ideas guys?

Originally Posted by lightfoot

It was one of those shaves that meant I couldn’t even breath wrong! I’ve spent some time shaving right off a carefully stropped 5k and that was very close to what I want but it’s just a bit short of my hypothetical target. I have a very small Dressante bout that I like but I don’t have an 8k or larger Coticule that I really like and I’m not sure how to bridge the gap between the 5k and the Dressante. Technically I could try the Norton 8k. The micron size is about the same as the Shapton Pro 5k but I still suspect the Norton may be a bit more keen than the Shapton 5k. Any other ideas guys?

I'd suggest just concentrating on breathing "right" and keep it sharp as. Wait until after a few more shaves, you may like it best

I wouldn't worry about "too sharp," if that is a thing. The next couple of pre-shave stroppings should tame down the edge.

Ok. I didn’t really consider that. I’ll see if it calms down a bit. Otherwise I’m going to see what I can do with my Dressante. I enjoy my JNats but I’m still not able to dial in my edges off them exactly the way I want just yet.

Yeah, I know that I didn't really address your true question but the edge usually does mellow a bit after a few stropping/shaving sessions.

I'm not sure what to advise on the hones other than to keep experimenting. Maybe spend less time on the Shoubi. Alternatively, do more strokes until the water dries off the stone. You might find a new level of sharp!

I spent about 15 minutes doing water only laps. Maybe next time I’ll try cutting the time in half. I probably just overshot the sweet spot...

For myself, the harder the JNat, the less water only laps I do. I tend to get more comfortable edges from the very hard stones by finishing with slurry.

I do not know the hones you are using. I do however have a synthetic hone that produces a very prickly feeling edge. My solution is to use a different hone. If I go too far with my other hones, the edge can get prickly feeling. I can strop that out. I tend to be one of those guys that strops a lot anyway. Plain leather can mellow an edge very well. It does take some effort, or multiple shave and strop sessions as Ron already mentioned. There is also the option of very lightly taking the edge back on a thumb nail and refinishing it.

I'm with eKretz super hard stones finish on light tomo slurry. You can also try some strokes on the Dressante.

I,m not going to agree on too sharp, especially with your stones, I will say maybe just too toothy of an edge, or a wire edge that's just rough, it'll cut you for sure, but a keen smooth edge usually won't hurt you unless your technique shaving is off. As was mentioned a couple of good stropping sessions will tame a rough edge. If your finishing strokes are leaving a chippy edge then you need to address that issue TC