Thread: Straight Razors Dull Despite Little Use

Originally Posted by rickytimothy

In any case, I tried five variations of stroke on the 1k.

1. Basically no pressure, just enough to keep the blade on the hone, conventional x-strokes, blade leading, switching sides to complete full back and forth strokes, both sides blade leading. This had absolutely no results, the blade could not cut any hair anywhere but the heel.

2. Keeping the blade close to fully on the stone at all times, varying very light pressure slightly from heel to toe as I move down the stone in a close to straight stroke, only moving to the side enough to get the whole blade as the blade is wider than the stone. No results on this either.

3. Stronger pressure, still light, full x-strokes. Would not cut at all after.

4. Back and forth strokes, one side at a time, alternating blade leading / blade trailing, just basically scrubbing it lightly, then switching side after about 20 of these. The blade will no longer cut hair on any part, not even the heel.

5. Same as above but with slightly stronger pressure. Will not cut at all.

The only stroke that will hone this razor is not in your list of variations. The rolling X- stoke. It was suggested to you in your thread back in 2021.
https://sharprazorpalace.com/honing/...en-spines.html

Originally Posted by onimaru55

The only stroke that will hone this razor is not in your list of variations. The rolling X- stoke. It was suggested to you in your thread back in 2021.
https://sharprazorpalace.com/honing/...en-spines.html

I was unclear, all of my attempts were rolling X-stroke, the only real variation was whether I alternated direction every stroke, how much pressure I put on it, and whether I slid the razor laterally across the hone or tried to keep a straight path with simply adjusted region of pressure from my hands.

It should go without saying that I understand this is a tricky technique, and whatever my version of the "rolling x-stroke" was is probably incorrect. GSSixgun did give me zoom lessons on that specific technique though so I do get the idea if not the execution.

I'm buying a tripod one of these days so I can actually demonstrate what I'm trying to do.

Originally Posted by rickytimothy

I was unclear, all of my attempts were rolling X-stroke, the only real variation was whether I alternated direction every stroke, how much pressure I put on it, and whether I slid the razor laterally across the hone or tried to keep a straight path with simply adjusted region of pressure from my hands.

It should go without saying that I understand this is a tricky technique, and whatever my version of the "rolling x-stroke" was is probably incorrect. GSSixgun did give me zoom lessons on that specific technique though so I do get the idea if not the execution.

I'm buying a tripod one of these days so I can actually demonstrate what I'm trying to do.

From the wording in your posts, that you're trying to keep the razor in full contact on the stone, it sounds like your rolling X may well be wrong. With a proper rolling X you will not have the razor fully flat on the stone. It will only contact the heel initially & then other areas as you slide the razor off the hone.

Something like using a butcher's steel to give a loose analogy.

I was going to suggest you make a video.

Not sure if this will help explain or just confuse more. But when I was new to honing Victor showed me something that helped me to understand.
Take a diner plate and put it on the table. Think of the rim of the plate being the razors edge and the base of the plate being the spine. With one finger push down on the edge of the plate until the edge touches the table. Now rotate the plate with the edge and base staying in contact with the table a 1/4 turn. This is a rolling stroke. The edge and spine stay in contact but move. Then after you get that figured out the next thing is to learn that the point of contact on the edge and spine needs to make an X pattern while moving across the stone.

Id draw a picture all i can draw are stick people.

Originally Posted by Gasman

Not sure if this will help explain or just confuse more. But when I was new to honing Victor showed me something that helped me to understand.
Take a diner plate and put it on the table. Think of the rim of the plate being the razors edge and the base of the plate being the spine. With one finger push down on the edge of the plate until the edge touches the table. Now rotate the plate with the edge and base staying in contact with the table a 1/4 turn. This is a rolling stroke. The edge and spine stay in contact but move. Then after you get that figured out the next thing is to learn that the point of contact on the edge and spine needs to make an X pattern while moving across the stone.

Id draw a picture all i can draw are stick people.

In addition to this. If honing on a 3" wide hone, concentrate on honing on the 1/3 of the hone that is closest to your body.

That might be a bit much for you to do right now, but it'll help you down the road, once learned in coalition with the rolling X stroke

By 1/3 of the hone, I'm not sure if you mean the stone is sideways or lengthwise.

This idea of the only place the edge is contacting the stone being a very slim area on the side of the stone is exactly what I was going for. Much easier said than done of course. I forgot to bring my razor to work where my nice cameras are so I'll get photos later this week of the degree of warp.

When you're doing a rolling x-stroke, it would probably never make sense to alternate direction every stroke, correct? Seems like it would be very challenging getting the roll just right if you flip the blade around constantly.

As onimaru55 suggests, make a video and let us all see.

We can discuss it till the cows come home and get nowhere.

When i first started shaving with a straight i was really bad at it of course.

Some of the guys here will probably remember the two videos i made, i got so much useful advice and i honestly felt like i had a bathroom full of experienced guys helping me.

Fire up that camera, or iPad or phone and let us see, I promise you wont regret it, you can set the video on YouTube so that only people you give the link to can see it - of course share it with everyone on here or it would be a pointless exercise

Originally Posted by rickytimothy

By 1/3 of the hone, I'm not sure if you mean the stone is sideways or lengthwise.

This idea of the only place the edge is contacting the stone being a very slim area on the side of the stone is exactly what I was going for. Much easier said than done of course. I forgot to bring my razor to work where my nice cameras are so I'll get photos later this week of the degree of warp.

When you're doing a rolling x-stroke, it would probably never make sense to alternate direction every stroke, correct? Seems like it would be very challenging getting the roll just right if you flip the blade around constantly.

Like this.



I always hone by flipping to each side for a complete pass. Of equal pressure and distance across the stone. One mimic's the other. I never hone one side, then the other.

Probably why your having trouble setting a bevel. Things have to be equal on both sides, consistently.