Thread: Good routine?

So far I've successfully honed four razors,one new and the rest vintage.First I start of with my norton 4000\8000 and try to set the bevil with the 4000,after that I use the pyramid sugested by Lynn in his video.When I'm able to cut hairs easy,I move to my chinese 12k.I do about 50 laps on the 12k.Then I move to the linnen side of my strop with thiers-issard paste.I do about 50 laps on this,finaly I strop until I'm popping hairs.
I'm pretty happy with the result,but then again I've never shaved with a straight honed by a honemeister.Any inputs on my routine? I read something about stropping on newspaper,where would that fit in?

I think your routine sound just great and it sounds as if you have cracked it.

I switched from the Thiers Issard paste to Chromium Oxide on leather. It is a higher grit than the Thiers Issard paste which contains some diamond in the paste

The TI paste is rated at 10,000 grit whilst you need to purchase 0.5 micron Cr Ox powder which is 50,000 grit.

Forget the numbers, because they are confusing and academic in a way. The O.5 micron powder puts a mirror polish on the V sides of your edge which smooths the cutting action of the blade. I think if you try it, you will feel a significant improvement. It's not an improvement particularly in sharpness, but a new comfort level.
Your face will thank you. If you can not find the Cr Ox and you want to experience the feeling I am talking about. You can get the same effect by stropping your edge on a flattened newspaper laid on a smooth flat surface.

This honing stuff is all a mystery as to why it really works, but they used the newspaper trick 100 years ago.

We have really learnt nothing new over the past century despite all our efforts. The best we have done is find equivalents. It makes you think.

Your routine sounds good to me but when i set bevels I like to start with a 1K or 2K stone. Makes life easier. I've never honed with newspaper but I have read that it is a good finisher. Particularly with crom ox.

I think everyone should have at least one razor honed by a honemiester. It gives a benchmark for you to compare your progress to.

Jimmy,

The newspaper does the same polishing as Chromium Oxide by itself.
Chromium Oxide is just more efficient.

Your routine sounds good, but I'd try more than 50 laps on the Chinese 12K. I'd bet your shaves would feel smoother with 100-200 laps on it. I'd also try skipping the paste, particularly if you do more laps on the 12K. You might find you don't miss it.

Ok, should I buy a new strop or paddle strop to use with the Chromium Oxide then?(Nice excuse to get some new kit)

Originally Posted by English

Jimmy,

The newspaper does the same polishing as Chromium Oxide by itself.
Chromium Oxide is just more efficient.

I keep forgetting to buy one I read all of my news on the internet and haven't bought a newspaper in years. I will have to make it a point to pick one up just for the experience of stropping on newspaper.

A piece of leather is best.

Get in touch with a member of this forum called Damon and see if he has any offcuts.

If you like the results and feel the need for a new strop or a paddle , well that's your call.

Be warned, you're starting down an expensive slippery slope.

It's way to late for me my friend.One of my arguments for straight shaving used to be that it was economical.... that was several hundred dollars ago......

Originally Posted by KristofferBodvin

It's way to late for me my friend.One of my arguments for straight shaving used to be that it was economical.... that was several hundred dollars ago......

i know what you mean. i just got a cash settlement for one of my vehicles (hail damage on an older truck so it wasn't too bad) and all i could think is " nice now i can buy that 220/1000 norton. not "now i can pay some of my credit card or anything like that. i am so addicted.