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Is there an acceptable level in microchipping where you'd just use the razor?
Sort of like the degradation of a disposable blade, where it gets worse per shave until it's time to switch.
I've found my CMon special has a couple brand new microchips, and it was just by chance I checked it out under a microscope, the shave was nice. Time to hit the low grit again, you think?
Some guys are real particular about their edges and demand perfection. I have found that if you have a micro chip or two and I mean something that really requires at least 30x to see it, it won't affect the shave. certainly if its big enough to see with the naked eye even one is too big to use.
The thing to consider is why are you creating these chips. Is there corrosion on the edge or are you doing something when you hone. maybe too much pressure?
I typically will try to get the entire edge chip-free.
Very rarely do I find that honing creates microchips; usually they're there from the start and honing lessens them until they're gone. In my experience, they tend to be a symptom of other problems: corrosion, like bigspendur suggested, or sometimes the nasty wire edge that can arise when part of the blade isn't hitting the stone during the stroke.
On a relatively slow hone like the Norton 4K, trying to get every tiny chip out can drive you crazy. If an edge has any chipping at all, I start on my DMT 1200 and stick with it until they're gone. If it was a razor I'd been using for a while instead of a new one or an eBay special, I might let the microchip slide. If it talked nice to me. :D
Josh
I asked myself the same question about a month ago. I had just gotten a new microscope 100-300x much better than a 20x, and saw chipping at 100x so i decided to make the edge perfect and from then on all my razors shave me the same perfect. but to each his own.
Well the microchips was not there after my first session with the hone, where I had to remove several. I suspected they were initially there due to the blade being loose on the scales and prone to hitting them udring closure (I haven't done that after removing the initial chips).
I'd inspected the edge at 60x and it was pretty nice, no chips.
I've had a few great shaves and just wanted to follow up and see how the edge was looking by chance Maybe learn something about the wear on the edge.
There does appear to be a possibility of corrosion contributing, as I've got some tiny spots around the area.
I got a 1k/6k japanese stone I'm going to put to use.
I do love the blade, it's worth working with. Though I do get a great shave as it is. Is occasionally honing the chips out pretty much the best bet?
Have we ruled out tough stubble as a cause?:shrug:
just checking, Bruce
If the razor is honed OK, I don't mind microchips, but only if they are not part of the oxidation process, or something similar.
Nenad
My beard is a bastid, I'll give it that. I would guess my beard is causing it, but was wondering if I gotta worry about honing this thing regularly or if some occasional imperfection was something people would deal settle for around here.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce
I will not tolerate microchips in my edges, although I have on occasion, missed them. I check my edges with a 60x microscope. If I can't see them at that magnification, I call it good. You could go higher magnification and see something, I suppose, but it won't affect anything, in my experience.
A razor may still shave very well with tiny chips visible at 30x - but I also prefer to have no chips. Rarely, I may let something slip if I like the shave and see the chips only later.
If new chips are forming I think you may have failed to remove all the bad steel from the old oxidized edge (that's what Nenad was saying, I assume)
Cheers
Ivo
I'm curious if you all go back to low low grits (diamond hone or equivalent) to get rid of microchips, or if you go to something medium (4K, blue, TOS, etc.).
If I think it's corrosion causing it I'll go down to low grits to get rid of some of the punk metal. If on the other hand I think flawed honing's the culprit (too much pressure, uneven pressure or strokes, overhoning), the Tam O'Shanter's just perfect for smoothing out the bevel and edge without adding any deep scratches. Though it takes a good many strokes.
(is punk metal an oxymoron?:hmmm: )
I go back to my diamond hone to get rid of microchips. My medium hone, the Belgian blue, is just too slow to get rid of them. Or maybe I'm too impatient. :) But it would take hundreds and hundreds of strokes with a slurry...
A few strokes on the diamond hone sets it right, and then I do some extra strokes on the Belgian blue to get rid of the DMT scratches.
This discussion has me wondering about chips that may appear after some use. I'm going to have to go back and check some of my razors to see if any show signs of chipping. Very curious, I am. :)
Josh
yep, true. All bad steel must go...Quote:
Originally Posted by izlat
Nenad
Ok. I'll put it on clearance sale then. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by superfly
This appears to be the issue.
Whoa, sounds drastic. I'd say just take it to some low grits and get down to good steel.Quote:
Originally Posted by Friggin Joe
That's what Superfly means by "bad steel's gotta go," unless I'm mistaken.
I was joking about "all bad steel must go" being put on clearance sale.
I like that blade more than most family members.
I'll hit the 1000 grit japanese stone later.
Sorry, I'm a bit dimwitted today...:rolleyes:
I usually start on 800 or 1200 grit sandpaper, doublesticktaped to a piece of glass. It cuts VERY fast, and leaves a great edge.
On e-bay finds that are not that drastically damaged, just start on a N4K, and perfect your stroke over lot's of reps, although you'll be finished in 20-30 strokes if you use the sandpaper method...
Nenad
The approach that I follow is to use the least aggressive approach first. In this case I would use the TOS (preferred) or the N4K.
It is not unusual to have some microchips develop after shaving. My guide is to not worry bout it unless it is uncomfortable to shave with.
Just my two cents.:)
FJ,
You shouldn't be getting microchips. If you are, figure out why before you go to a coarser stone and then work back to razor edge otherwise the same thing will keep happening. One can shave with duller razor but why? You're more likely to cut yourself. It's not like a dull Sensor or DE . . . one slip and chunks come off. "It's easier to keep your razor sharp than it is to sharpen your razor".
I realized the microchips looked like cavities due to surrounding oxidation and this was consistent for each microchip that I'd developed after rehoning. Better lighting w/ the microscope made all the difference in spotting that.
I took it to a 1000 grit stone and spent some time removing metal and it seems well enough for now. No more marks along the edge so I think I win for now.
Only you can prevent tooth decay. :D
Good work, Joe. Your face will thank you.
Josh