Thread: What does this mean?

Other than its not sharp enough, j/K

I was to touching up my King's Razor Company 5/8 Hollow. My progression was this:

Norton 8k - 10 laps
Chinese +/-12k - 25 laps.
Canvis Strop - 50 laps
Latigo Strop - 10 laps
Leather Strop - 20 laps

It doesn't past the hanging hair test nor will it cut hair on my arm when laid flat BUT as soon as I raise the angle on the blade just a bit it starts popping hair like crazy.

Any opinions? Thanks

When you say you lay the razor flat on your arm, do you mean with the edge against your skin? And when you're raising the angle, is it also with the edge against your skin? If it is, then this doesn't mean that the razor is sharp enough. A sharp edge should be able to pop hairs if you run it through your arm hairs above the skin, i.e. razor not against your arm at all. Just because it can shave hairs off your arm while touching the skin doesn't mean it's quite sharp enough to shave your face.

Was the blade shave-ready before you touched it up? I was just wondering how sharp it was before hand.

Originally Posted by StraightRazorDave

When you say you lay the razor flat on your arm, do you mean with the edge against your skin? And when you're raising the angle, is it also with the edge against your skin? If it is, then this doesn't mean that the razor is sharp enough. A sharp edge should be able to pop hairs if you run it through your arm hairs above the skin, i.e. razor not against your arm at all. Just because it can shave hairs off your arm while touching the skin doesn't mean it's quite sharp enough to shave your face.

Was the blade shave-ready before you touched it up? I was just wondering how sharp it was before hand.

Yes, edge and spine against the skin when I say flat.
It will pop hairs at and above the base when I change the angle from parallel to the skin.

The blade was not shave ready when I touched it up, it was my first razor and the casualty of trying to learn to strop & poor shaving technique for about a month.

If it's sharp enough it should be able to cut some arm hair with the razor parallel to the skin, but elevated off of the skin. If you need to place the razor on your skin for it to cut any hair then it's probably not sharp enough.

It probably needs more time on the stones, but it's hard to say since the razor isn't in front of me....But from what I've read about the chinese stone, it takes more than 25 strokes to get a noticable difference. But, I think you need time on at least an 8k if not a coarser stone like a 4k to get it to the point where it can pop some hairs.

Have you considered sending it to someone here to get honed?

it is because of the back of the blade has been taped.This happens mostly on wedge blades or frame back blades. Your razor is sharp enough.hope this helps.
Lastly if you need help with that blade i would do so. it is free just pay for shipping.take care

Thanks Sham, this was a razor I bought from you back in February. Just trying to get back to the condition you sent it to me in and learn a little about honing in the process.

How does it shave?