Thread: Frown is gone, now what ? :-D

Back and forth, Livi-style, circling motions, ... It does not matter. These are all directed to speeding up the process. Just try to be consistent along the entire edge and make sure all parts receive equal attention. Also the parts that are already keen.
It's sounds to me that you have a pretty fast Coticule.

There's one general rule in bevel formation: the more you approach completion, the slower the process will appear. That's because you can't complete the bevel on the dull parts without removing steel from the keen parts. (Otherwise you would be reintroducing the frown or some other edge deviation).
As soon as the very last part of the edge starts to show a promising evolution, it's time to remove the tape an start doing regular X-strokes. Do plenty, because you still need to correct the slight off-angle caused by the tape.
The razor should also shave dry arm hair at that point.

Kind regards,
Bart.

Ok so I did what you said Bart, almost to the letter, only I think a lot more passes.

I went from the coticule + slurry to a diluted slurry by slowly adding water.

Then I went to the BBW with slurry. Now I want some confirmation here: I got my BBW (and coticule) from Ardennes Coticule (great service might I add) and I received a slurry stone with my stones. However I don't think the blue part of my slurry stone is BBW, but just slate or whatever. I mailed A.C. and Rob informed me I can just use the coticule side of the slurry stone to make a slurry on my BBW. Is this correct? I did this, but I'm not quite convinced. Doesn't this mix coticule 'grenades' with BBW 'grenades' ?

Anyhow, I continued the further honing as Bart describes in the Wiki.

Then, my razor passed the TPT test, but it does not stick so much as the one Bart honed for sure. The razor does not pass the HHT, it kinda 'scrapes' the hair or plays a little violin with it, but does nothing more. It does shave a lot of arm hair :P

I decided to give it a shave test. To my absolute amazement, it shaved like a dream! It was such a 'soft' edge, I can't explain it. I was expecting my hair to simply remain, but it's gone!

The razor is much heavier then my 'real' one which makes it in my opinion a much more comfortable razor. The blade is a little bigger but the overal shape remains the same, but the weight is a big difference, I truly enjoy this.

Now, as a conclusion, I'm pretty sure the razor could be sharper. But the thing is, should I then go back to the coticule +slurry and do the whole thing over again? I don't mind at all, but I just want to make sure. Or should I do the BBW-Coticule +water thing some more?

Thank you for a lot of helpful information everyone and Bart for the lesson! When I'm completely satisfied with how this thing shaves, I'll give a good review of the entire process.

EDIT: I went out and started all over again, the razor is overall sharper, but the tip just won't get as sharp s the rest of the razor, what should I do?

Jan,

I bet that razor has a slight backwards curve near the toe. Many razors have that. Not a genuine smiling edge, but just the toe recessing a bit. If I'm correct with that assumption, then go to the Wiki. Look up "strokes for honing a razor" and examin the "Rolling X-stroke". Translate that knowledge for your "smiling" toe.

On the Blue slurry issue: I think it's better not to use a Coticule for raising slurry on a Blue. The edge will likely max out at a sharper level with pure blue slurry than with mixed slurry. Use some of that 600 grit wet and dry paper. Don't use a worn out piece of sand paper, 'cause that might loose some particles in the slurry, which is not good of course. Don't make the slurry on the Blue too dense.

If you think you can get the razor keener yet, there's no need to go back to the Coticule with slurry. Not if you're confident that the bevel is properly set, which is always the case if you started out dull and gpt the razor shaving without using a pasted strop. Just go back to the Blue with slurry. Slowly dilute the slurry while honing (over about 100 laps total). Try to use as little pressure as you can while still maintaining a good even stroke. Less pressure = more keenness. Finish on the Coticule with plain water again. Also low pressure.

Congratulations on your success.

Bart.

Thanks for the added information Bart.

I do need to say though, the tip of the razor is not shaving the sideburns well enough. Should I not fix this on coticule + slurry? Perhaps the bevel didn't quite form well enough yet there?

Originally Posted by Jantjeuh

Thanks for the added information Bart.

I do need to say though, the tip of the razor is not shaving the sideburns well enough. Should I not fix this on coticule + slurry? Perhaps the bevel didn't quite form well enough yet there?

That, or the slight curving toe (=tip). I can't judge that from here. Maybe a picture is on order.
If the toe shaves, albeit not as good as the rest, then I'd say that the bevel is complete and there really is no reason to go back to the slurry stage on the Coticule. (I can see how much you want to go back to that pleasant honing on slurry sensation, but it really doesn't serve a purpose, in that case.) If the toe hardly shaves at all, then you might be right that more bevel-setting work on the Coticule with slurry is in order. It's your call.

Best regards,
Bart.