Thread: Regarding the sharpness of my blade

I posted recently saying that my new chinese 12k has smoothed my edge a lot and made it seem a bit sharper.

I have noticed though that even with TONS of very light strokes the blade seems to just sit at this same point. There is no over-honing just a comfortable but not that sharp razor.

I started to think that maybe the problem is that the razor needed just a bit more time on a lower grit and that would improve the sharpness. Does this theory of mine make sense or is this just the ramblings of a newb?

Your chrome ox and your Chinese 12k slurry stone are both on the way. It sounds like your edge is at least good enough where you're shaving with it off the 12k with water only. If so, I would recommend trying some laps with the 12k slurry when you get the slurry stone, then 50 laps with water only, then experiment with the chrome ox and see what you think. Chrome ox takes the edge to another level than straight off the stone and honing with slurry will cut more than plain water so if your edge DOES need just a hair more refinement, you may get what you need right there rather than dropping down to a lower grit. stone.


Chris L

+1 on the CrOx. i have the 12k and it does work great, but i still hit the CrOx as i definitely notice a difference in smoothness. i am experimenting with the 12k with slurry as of late, man it takes a while to get a slurry on that hard stone, the laps do feel different though so we'll see.

what's the razor? some won't take an edge

The razor in question is a Wapi. It noticeably pulls when I shave, obviously it is not unbearable and I know that some argue that a straight cant get as sharp as a disposable edge, but my Gillette Swedish blade cuts my hair like nothing.

Even in the shape its in I feel better an hour after shaving with my straight than I ever did with the DE.

Originally Posted by mziter

I started to think that maybe the problem is that the razor needed just a bit more time on a lower grit and that would improve the sharpness. Does this theory of mine make sense or is this just the ramblings of a newb?

No, that makes perfect sense.
Polishing is only useful if the bevels are shaped properly, and touching each other so that they form a sharp edge. Only then will polishing do anything useful.
If the bevels are not shaped correctly, polishing might improve it a little bit, but it will never be sharp. It should not pull.

This is why I think that the norton 4000/8000 is a very good stone: the 4K side removes metal, and the 8K side polishes.