Thread: Scratches on the bevel after natual finishier, too much pressure?

Hi all, I'm new here. Fairly new to straight razors, so not sure what was cause the bevel being scratched off natural finisher. The bevels are mirror finished just off synthetic stones, but I feel the edge is a little bit too harsh so moved onto naturals. I've 3 CNAT from different sources, all of which are actually very fine, the surfaces has been flattened correctly and smoothed with high grit synthetics(Shapton Pro 12k). After the CNAT, the edge is actually much better, except the bevels are now with minor scratches if I look closely. I feel it should be cause by pressing the center of the razor a bit so that I can sharpen it correctly. Note that the razor is a Dovo Astrale, the edge is warped by about 0.5mm in the center part. It came shave ready so I did not notice it until months later it need a touch up, would have returned it if I spotted it in time.

Originally Posted by mrjin

Hi all, I'm new here. Fairly new to straight razors, so not sure what was cause the bevel being scratched off natural finisher. The bevels are mirror finished just off synthetic stones, but I feel the edge is a little bit too harsh so moved onto naturals. I've 3 CNAT from different sources, all of which are actually very fine, the surfaces has been flattened correctly and smoothed with high grit synthetics(Shapton Pro 12k). After the CNAT, the edge is actually much better, except the bevels are now with minor scratches if I look closely. I feel it should be cause by pressing the center of the razor a bit so that I can sharpen it correctly. Note that the razor is a Dovo Astrale, the edge is warped by about 0.5mm in the center part. It came shave ready so I did not notice it until months later it need a touch up, would have returned it if I spotted it in time.

Synthetics will leave a more mirror finish typically.
Don't worry about the scratches. Some naturals will leave more visible scratches than others but really - everything leaves scratches so don't worry about them.
How it shaves is all that matters.

Originally Posted by stoneandstrop

Synthetics will leave a more mirror finish typically.
Don't worry about the scratches. Some naturals will leave more visible scratches than others but really - everything leaves scratches so don't worry about them.
How it shaves is all that matters.

Thanks for the clarification. Yep, I can get superb shave with it, it just doesn't look as good. You were absolutely right about the scratches, I don't look at the bevels all day after all.

Originally Posted by mrjin

Thanks for the clarification. Yep, I can get superb shave with it, it just doesn't look as good. You were absolutely right about the scratches, I don't look at the bevels all day after all.

A non-mirror finish does not necessarily equate to not shave ready. For example, coticules and JNats leave a kind of “cloudy” finish rather than a mirror finish, but the edges are still sharp.

Originally Posted by DZEC

A non-mirror finish does not necessarily equate to not shave ready. For example, coticules and JNats leave a kind of “cloudy” finish rather than a mirror finish, but the edges are still sharp.

You were absolutely right abut that. I was just not 100% happy with that the mirror finish scratched by the natural stones. It's a rabbit hole I'm not sure whether it worthy to get to the bottom...

Dovo is notorious for creating frowns from their insistence on using a ridicules technique/hone (Whole other topic)

I did a vid on how to fix them since it is a common issue

https://youtu.be/3d_ymq0TmVI

Originally Posted by DZEC

A non-mirror finish does not necessarily equate to not shave ready. For example, coticules and JNats leave a kind of “cloudy” finish rather than a mirror finish, but the edges are still sharp.

Yep, and Arks leave a frosted edge. A good one will look like it's been etched or soda blasted. However, that edge is very keen.

Hmmm, mine was different. I really meant scratched. So the majority of the bevels are still mirror finish, but I can see some dashes across them. It has to be either really scratch stones, more polishing work needed on the surface or I pressed too hard and the bevel touched the stone more than it should.

You might consider getting rid of those stones! There - your problem is solved!

Originally Posted by Johntoad57

You might consider getting rid of those stones! There - your problem is solved!

LOL, I don't even know what was the cause yet... But I do agree that's going to solve the problem: no stone to hone on, no bevels get scratched!