Thread: Over honing

I've come to the conclusion that I'm not honing correctly. I get a great edge and it shaves great, but maybe not very smooth. I back honed all my razors and then re-honed them slow, with no pressure and I think they are all shaving better (I tried each on a part of my face). So I"m wondering a few things. What are the signs that it is time to move from one stone to another and what are the signs for when your "done" and should move to a strop?

Wow ...tough one. For me, for a while, it was using the SRP Magic Radio Shack (60X-100X) Microscope to inspect the status of the edge before stropping.

Now, I can almost 'feel' the proper 'draw' on the stone, and then test it a little by wetting and shaving a little arm hair.

Since I am now using the TI White paste on a linen strop, then the leather, if it passes the 'feel' test, and the arm hair shaving test, I know that the stropping will get it exceptionally sharp.

So far, it works. I currently have about seven razors ready for shaving, and another drawer full in the process.

You have to find what you feel comfortable with, I guess. You will just know.

Best,

You only have a few things that can be used as a "sign" that its time to move on to the next stone. The arm hair test and the hanging hair test are the two easiest. Some people will stay on a coarse hone until it shaves arm hair with a certain degree of ease then move on to the next finer hone and use that until it passes the hanging hair test. Then shave test.

From there on its a process of incremental refinement of the edge.

I don't know about other guys on this forum but I have never honed a razor to perfection on the first try. I can get them shaveable on the first try but not really "perfect". That always takes a couple of trips back to the hone.

I have finally learned to have realistic expectations and patience.