Thread: Barber hone to fix up a rolled edge

+1 for what Randy says (and what Puffah said in the other thread). I e-mailed this to you because I saw this when I was away from my own computer & didn't have my login password on me. To recap:

-- Try stropping (properly) on linen then leather to see if this straightens the edge by itself. Even if it doesn't, you want to try to straighten it to the extent possible before you start honing (no sense honing a rolled-over edge).

-- Barber hones are pretty much guaranteed to raise a burr. Deburr the blade by finishing your honing with 3 toe-leading back-strokes, then another 5 forward strokes. A back-stroke is just like a forward stroke, but backwards (with the spine leading, like stropping). You want to start the back stroke on the toe because you started the forward strokes on the heel, and you want to match that scratch pattern (I'm assuming you hone with an X-pattern).

Originally Posted by joke1176

You aren't thick, I was just vague. What I meant was this:

Make approx. 20 passes with edge leading, then make a few with the spine leading. I do this until the razor is TPT and/or HHT sharp.
When I think I am just about done honing, I will backhone 1-2 times and make about 10 regular passes before I go to the strop.

Since I have adopted this practice, I don't have any problems with overhoning anymore.

That hone is lapped flat, so that isn't the problem...

Thanks! That was clear enough... even for me!
I'll see what's up with the blade, the lather, the stropping and the strop... Learning this is trial and error so, this is part of the infamous curve. Maybe it was just a bad shave... I guess I'll know on monday, right?

Originally Posted by Johnny J

-- Barber hones are pretty much guaranteed to raise a burr... You want to start the back stroke on the toe because you started the forward strokes on the heel, and you want to match that scratch pattern...

Since I have actually used this particular barber hone in question, I will have to respectfully disagree on the first part of your statement. It actually cuts pretty darn slow. It's really a finishing hone, unless you raise a slurry and use it like a coticule.

On the second part of the above quote, you raise a very good point. Matching the same angle/scratch pattern is very important, especially if the razor has some warp to it.

You've gotten really good advice here already:

• Strop on linen & leather first -- see if that straightens it out
• Back honing wil prevent wire edge problems

The only thing I would add is maintain patience and perseverance; you can restore your edge to shave ready condition.

Originally Posted by joke1176

Since I have actually used this particular barber hone in question, I will have to respectfully disagree on the first part of your statement.

You're right. Let me rephrase: MY hones all raise a burr, and I've been told this is a common complaint with barber hones. I don't own the hone in question, so IDK about it.

Quick update on this thread: my troubles are over! It seems that the problem was simply a sleepy morning and the result was very poor stropping. That's why the razor was rough and pulling. And since I have very sensitive skin (so sensitive that a light touch with a DE leaves my face all red and burnt up...) the shave was awful. But I thank you all for the replies... I learned a lot on this thread... And I learned a valuable lesson: no stropping before noon!