Thread: WOWZA Sharp!!

Guys, I was wondering what you do to get a razor from an acceptable level of shaving sharpness to the WOWZA category???? Lynn

I am experimenting with using the Scary Sharp system that uses a step down process from 6 micron to 0.5 micron to 0.25 micron paste and am having some nice success. The shaves I am getting are really nice.

jmsbcknr

I have had good sucess with putting the razor and a small check in a mailer and sending them to Lynn or Randy. This typically gets them quite sharp with minimal effort ops:

Actually I use only diamond pastes, 9 micron, 1 micron, 0.5 micron and 0.25 micron on a hard strop. Of course I am not doing this with ebay finds, only NOS or new razors.

Tony

Once a razor is shaving sharp, I'll work it only with the .5 and .25 micron pasted strops. Since I use the baber's thumb test, I test every 10-20 laps (fewer as the edge gets sharp) and I can feel the edge improving. When I reach a point where there's no improvement, I move from the .5 to the .25. When I stop getting improvement with the .25 I move to the unpasted strop.

I like to classify my razors in three categories, some give excellent shaves, some give outstanding shaves and some give exceptional shaves. I don't know if its the razor itself or maybe evil spirits but some of them just seem to hone easier then others and sharpen very quickly while others require more time and just don't seem to reach that ultimate level. I have about 6 Double Ducks and they all shave exceptionally well and hone up very easily. The wonder edge seems to require a few more passes then the others but still hones up easily and the same with some Dorko's. I definately notice the difference in shave quality as the brands change and the age of the razor doesn't really seem to matter that much. I usually use a Norton 4k/8K and finish with a japan 12K. I find that increasing the time spent on the 8K seems to make the greatest difference in the final result. Soon I'll be experimenting with a pair of waterstones I ordered from Howard.

So the real question here is that is there any real formula that works equally well with all razors and will give consistant results. I really don't think so. Each razor is an individual and each requires a different approach. I guess thats why honing is really an art more than a science.

Just my two cents here.

After the razor is shaving OK then I use an incremental approach. Just a little bit more on the 8000 Norton and .5 chrome oxide pasted paddle strop.Perhaps go back to the 4000. Maybe try a little on a Barber hone or Translucent Arkansas stone. I never hit perfection on the first honing unless its by pure luck and there is not much of that. Still occasionally trying the .25 diamond paste but it has to be used at the proper stage of honing. It will not make up for an average honing job.

Some razors hone up faster than others and some razors are really slow to hone.
Patience and persistennce are the keys to success, as always.

I'll be danged. Here I am trying to get a "damned good" shave and thebigspendur has excellent, outstanding, and exceptional. Geez, I am disgusted.

TBS, why do you even bother with excellent if you have exceptional?

Randy, am I doomed to mediocrity and so-so shaves if I only have the 4000/8000 and a strop?

I might as well strap a piece of obsidian to a stick for all the progress I am having here.

Exceptional shaves!?!?!?! Diamond pastes??!?!! I feel a full beard coming on. Thanks guys.

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Randy, am I doomed to mediocrity and so-so shaves if I only have the 4000/8000 and a strop?

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No you are are not doomed! You can get an excellent shave with the 8000 Norton. That is why it is recommended. As I said in my prior post on this subject, this is an incremental thing. Getting the edge to the excellent stage takes time. You do not need a pasted paddle strop with .5 and .25 diamond paste. they will never make up for a razor that is not shaving well. They will smooth it out and provide that final finishing touch. But the basic sharpness must still be there first.

If your razor is not shaving you the way that you wish then use a more aggressive sequence.
Such as
15/5
10/5
5/5
1/5
1/5

use the thumb test or hanging hair test after each sequence and whn you are satisfied then strop and test shave.

I recently purchased a Shapton 15,000 water stone and began to work on one of my blades that was almost there but not quite. I honed on the Shapton about 15 times and it still was not grabbing enough so I went to my Norton 8K and hit it about 15 times, then to the Shapton for 15 times to the .5 micron pasted strop for 10 times and to the .25 for about 10 times and the shave was one of the best I had ever had. I think I have finally gotten the hang of this stuff. Learning how to get a blade super sharp is almost as much fun as getting a close shave with it. I love it when I can do it myself. Thanks to the folks on this site who have assisted in my learning curve.

jmsbcknr

Randy,
I have to disagree with the statement that a pasted strop will never make a razor that is not shaving well work. No, it won't take a dull eBay find to shave ready but it will easily maintain any reasonably sharp razor and will bring back some pretty dull examples. Now I do use more than just the 0.5 and 0.25 but seldom use a hone on any razor. I have brought back some pretty dull razors and sharpen everything I sell on just pasted strops. I have also used "shave ready" razors sharpened by others on just a stone and to me and my beard at least, well they need more than just the stone to be their best.

It comes down to proper tool for the job. The Norton will do just about everything but it is not the only tool out there and may not be the best final step before a shave. A new razor out of the box that is not that sharp can easily be brought to shave ready with just pastes. Nicks, chips, 50 year old eBay finds...use a Norton, no doubt.

Yes, I am biased because I make ands sell strops but I do so because I found that a stone alone was not enough. Different people get different results. What works for me or works for you may not work for others. It take experimentation and time and practivce with any or the tools to get the best results.

Best,
Tony