Thread: GETTING FRUSTRATED

The stones are all newly lapped with the pencil grid technique.
I have a CrOx strop, Kahunamoose. It's great for a little touch up, but it might take a few thousand years to get a dull razor sharp with it.
I have a DA that kenrup sharpened for me, that has given me some of the best shaves I have gotten. It is possible that QZ is such that it is unfair to expect that ability from all of them.

Even if I can't get a "Wow" shave from it, I should at least be able to get it damned sharp. I know I am far from there.

I looked at the bevel under 10X last night (it's all I have, ordering 30X and 100X soon). Bevel did not look great. It is not the same on both sides of the razor. Even on each side, there is some variation.

Anyone within an hour or two of West Hartford CT that might be willnig to give a Newb some honing lessons? I'll pay in whatever way they wish, cash, beer, high end cigars, single malts, legal services, surgery? (Note, I am only licensed to practice law in CT, and am not licensed nor competent to perform surgery ANYWERE).

Originally Posted by smokelaw1

Anyone within an hour or two of West Hartford CT that might be willnig to give a Newb some honing lessons? I'll pay in whatever way they wish, cash, beer, high end cigars, single malts, legal services, surgery? (Note, I am only licensed to practice law in CT, and am not licensed nor competent to perform surgery ANYWERE).

have you checked out Heavydutysg135's videos on youtube? they are pretty good. i haven't gotten Lynn's DVD yet but i hear it is amazing and everyone should have it. if there is someone who will teach you then go for it but if not there are lots of tutorials and videos to get things going. it is frustrating at first but once you get the feel for things (literally) it gets much easier. to be honest i wish i had someone around that could hone to compare my ways with, that would be great, but i don't even have people who use DEs around , let alone straights.

good luck

I'm about an hour but far from at the stage of giving lessons.... Howard over at the perfect edge is only an hour and a half from you though I'm unsure if he's willing to give lessons on site but he does have his new DVD.

That's right! Howard is in western Mass. The crazy thing is, I HAVE watched a number of the videos. Just not sure what I'm missing. I have been sharpening knioves for years, and am quite good at it. While I know that they are VERY different skills, I thought I should at least be able to pick it up quickly.

Thanks all. I'll be going home and trying some more....

The basis of a sharp edge is the bevel. Keep working on that bevel until the bevel extends to the very edge for the full length of the blade. The scratch pattern should be uniform. If it is not then you need to modify your stroke. The bevel should also be of one color. If you see 2 colors under the microscope then you have 2 separate angles.


Hope this helps,

I too have the same problem as above but I only have a norton 4k/8k. The Double arrow shaves fine right up until the very very last millimeter of stubble. It glides over that. I too am wondering what I am doing wrong since I bought this razor to practice sharpening with but It seems like the Double Arrow will never get wow sharp as mentioned above.

Originally Posted by canyon289

I too have the same problem as above but I only have a norton 4k/8k. The Double arrow shaves fine right up until the very very last millimeter of stubble. It glides over that. I too am wondering what I am doing wrong since I bought this razor to practice sharpening with but It seems like the Double Arrow will never get wow sharp as mentioned above.

I guess I did not make myself clear. The DA razors will give me a very good shave. But they have not been as "smooth" on my skin as other razors have been. Others have said that they are very satisfied with the shave of a DA. BTW, a Norton 4/8 is more than capable of developing an extremely sharp edge.

Work on your beard prep, technique and honing a bit more. You will get there.