Thread: Identifying overhoning?

Originally Posted by Leofric

Here's how I understand things. If a razor isn't sharp enough, it will evidently not pass the various sharpness tests. If an edge passes the tests coming straight off the 8K, or even 4K side, it's certainly sharp enough, but could be over-honed. If the edge is okay, after polishing on higher grits and stropping, it will shave well. If it's over-honed the edge will disintigrate while shaving and give a lousy shave.

I've read that sharp edges that are not well polished give an uncomfortable shave, so how might I tell if an edge is over-honed or simply needs more polishing on higher grits? Each one would not shave well, but do they each produce different effects/feelings? Is there a specific effect/feeling associated with each fault in the honing process?

Overhoning is a confusing term. To me, an overhoned razor is one that has been honed to death--it has 1/4" wide hone wear on the spine, and it tapers from a 6/8 at the heel to a 3/8 at the toe. That razor is toast. You won't get damage like that from doing a few too many laps on your Norton. That is years of abuse right there.

I think I prefer the term "wire edge" for an edge that is very close to being shave-ready but has a burr on it. You can get this from doing a few too many laps on your Norton, but the razor isn't ruined. It just needs some minor work. You have taken the razor past shave-ready--you "overshot" the mark. Maybe that's where the term overhoned comes from.

Anyway, a wire edge is a thin flap of metal that forms on the very edge of your blade. Sometimes it develops after you do too many strokes on a given grit. Sometimes it's a sign that only one side of the blade is getting honed properly. (This happens a lot, actually. If there's a slight twist or warp to the blade, only one side of the edge will make contact, so the metal will get pushed over to the side that isn't hitting the hone.)

Most wire edges are visible to the naked eye, if you have good eyesight. A pair of reading glasses would help if you don't. Hold the razor under a strong light source, like an incandescent bulb. Turn the razor every which way, watching the way the light reflects from the honing bevel. It should only reflect light from one angle. If you see any light glinting from the very edge at any angle, you've got a problem. It could be a patch where the bevel has a different angle, or it could be a wire edge. Usually you'll see a bright, broken line along the edge if there is a wire.

Under a microscope, a wire edge usually looks jagged. It can also show up as a bright line or discoloration of some kind.

A wire edge will sometimes pass the HHT, but it will usually feel gritty or rough as it cuts the hair.

In the shave-test, a wire edge might not cut at all, or it might cut but feel scratchy and painful.

The pyramid system will help you avoid and remove wire edges. Bouncing back and forth between grits somehow seems to knock the burr off as it develops.

Let us know how you progress.

Josh