Thread: How to tell if razor is over honed?

Originally Posted by jnich67

Back then, it was normal to have a local guy who sharpened people's tools. I think the barbers sent their razors out for serious honing and touched up on their barber hones. Generally, I don't think they dealt with honing on the level some of us do.

Jordan

So true, especially if you mean that they didn't buy junkers to MAAS them to shine, then take out chips from the edges and stuff. But they could still overhone an edge on what they used for touch up - if they didn't feel the edge

Cheers
Ivo

The old barbers had a very simple test to check for over honing:

During the honing process, the razor was frequently checked by running the edge over the moistened thumb nail. By experience, a barber could tell that the edge had become overhoned by a certain rough cutting sensation (similar to what it would feel like if you were to run a small fingernail file over the nail) on the thumb nail. This required the barber to remove the edge and start over.


Scott

Alan's post was EXCELLENT. Let me echo that honing isn't about following a formula, although eventually you'll develop one of your own that works for you most of the time. It's about assessing the edge and knowing your tools.

When you mentioned that you could see your fingernail ripple the edge, I took that to mean that the blade is so thin that you can easily bend it by pushing your fingernail into it, not that the *edge* is like foil. You probably just have a really, really thin hollow grind on that razor. I have a razor like this. It's so thin that if I use any pressure at all I can see the edge of the hone moving like a ripple on the blade. This is normal for this type of razor; you just have to use a delicate stroke.

Follow Alan's lead--he'll take you to the Promised Land.

Josh

And on the topic of barbers: They also had in-person instruction from masters of the craft. This is much more effective than a forum, no matter how good the coaching is. We could all probably get this stuff in a few hours if we could get together in person.

Josh

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

And on the topic of barbers: They also had in-person instruction from masters of the craft. This is much more effective than a forum, no matter how good the coaching is. We could all probably get this stuff in a few hours if we could get together in person.

Josh

If you're ever in Southern California, come on by...


Scott

Scott,

If I ever had a few moments with you, I'd rather you spent them whipping my stropping technique into shape.

Josh

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

Scott,

If I ever had a few moments with you, I'd rather you spent them whipping my stropping technique into shape.

Josh

Crapp you scared me! First I read "spending a few moments with.." and then "whipping".....

whew!

Originally Posted by honedright

Crapp you scared me! First I read "spending a few moments" and then "whipping".....

whew!

Too funny... even though the critical piece is who is doing the whipping with a full strop, no less!

But this is a great offer, Scott - for anyone who can take it. Too bad I don't have any trips scheduled your way right now

Cheers
Ivo

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

If the razor starts to feel rough or starts shaving worse you've overhoned. You will see this as little stars or tears in the edge of the bevel in the microscope.

That is exactly what I do see under the scope. Tiny, bright star like points of light. The edge looks fragile as well. Very, very fragile and uneven like little nicks and such.

Thanks for all the good info AF. I'm going to print your post out, set myself up in the washroom and give your instructions a serious go.


Ron

I am living in Southern California right now. Specifically the torrance, redondo, palos verdes area. I would be up for getting together with any and all members to teach/learn the art of honing.