Thread: Straight Razors Dull Despite Little Use

When I perform the HHT I always have the root end of the hair out, not pinched between my fingers. The reason why is the hair grows from the bottom up and has a "scale" structure. Thus you have something for the edge to grab onto.
I have only met one person who has hair so fine and limp/without body/stiffness that they cannot use the HHT.
At your stage of honing skills, I strongly suggest you simply rely on the shave test.
Try developing the other tests as you go, you will get there.

A 20x microscope is adequate for honing. What you don't want to see is at the very edge it is shiny on one side of the blade and not shiny on the other side. That is called a false edge which is an edge that is so thin that it rolls over, some people refer to it as a "burr", knife guys use that term when using the coarser grits but it is not the same thing. when that happens then back-honing/circles are the solution.

Just my 2¢

I spent a lot of money on loupes, i had 20x 30x 40x 60 times with lights
I was told to get a Belomo 10x, really expensive, like 50 bucks Canadian.
But i wish i had got the Belomo first, it would have still saved me money in the long run.

I will never need another loupe, Belomo 10x, doesn't have a light and it collects the ambient light so doesn't need one.

Push the boat out and treat yourself, I was reluctant to but Im so happy I did.

Is the Belomo really that good? I've been thinking about it, but between the USB microscope and Carson 100x I have. Not really sure I really need the Belomo too.

Well, what do all think, is a Belomo 10x the bees knees?

I don't even know what I'm looking at yet, lol. "Ah yes that is indeed the edge of a piece of metal."

I took a bunch of photos of my other razors just now. Some of these may be viable to practice on.







This one should probably be euthanized out of mercy.

That bottom one is a good one to practice honing and shaping on, even scaling, you don't have much to lose eh?

PaulFLUS sent me four to practice on, trouble is i got the hang of honing and now there in my rotation so I'll have to get some more junkers to play with.

Originally Posted by STF

That bottom one is a good one to practice honing and shaping on, even scaling, you don't have much to lose eh?

PaulFLUS sent me four to practice on, trouble is i got the hang of honing and now there in my rotation so I'll have to get some more junkers to play with.

I don't know about that honestly. In my other thread: https://sharprazorpalace.com/worksho...ml#post1966828 I just tried to shape another less beaten up razor than that. Seems borderline unhoneable but maybe that's not for the reason I think it is.

In relation to honing practice, in my humble opinion put aside the Renren. The steel quality might be questionable and it looks like someone tried to 'freehand' a bevel at some point. Razor three has been honed to death. The heel is encroaching on thick steel at the shoulder. However, the first razor looks to be one that might take a nice shaving edge and well worth your time on the hones.

Originally Posted by STF

Well, what do all think, is a Belomo 10x the bees knees?

Bausch & Lomb are good too. I like the watchmaker style . Leaves both hands free.
A one inch diameter lens is good & bigger is better if you can get it. Makes it easier to scan the edge.