Thread: How to get a hanging hair edge

I have a 4000-5000 grit stone, 12000 grit stone and two types of paste to apply to my strop (01 Chromium Oxide Compound and 02 White Lapping Paste).

I want to get an edge that will cut the hanging hair. What is the best way to get this?

Originally Posted by LightningMcqueen

I have a 4000-5000 grit stone, 12000 grit stone and two types of paste to apply to my strop (01 Chromium Oxide Compound and 02 White Lapping Paste).

I want to get an edge that will cut the hanging hair. What is the best way to get this?

Welcome to SRP. Here is the SRP Wiki with honing tutorials and more to get you where you want to go. If you haven't checked it out do so. There are honing tutorials and videos on all things straight razor related.

I find I can get the HHT after honing and stropping a percentage of the time but not always. Whether it does or doesn't IME if the razor is honed to a point where it will 'pop' hairs off of my arm without touching the skin it will shave well. YMMV.

Practise!
Here's an article on using the HHT so that it provides useful results.

I have to agree with Jimmy. A far more useful test is whether it will mow the tops off arm or leg hair.

Just learning to hone myself. Just thought I'd say welcome.

Welcome to SRP.

Originally Posted by LightningMcqueen

I have a 4000-5000 grit stone, 12000 grit stone and two types of paste to apply to my strop (01 Chromium Oxide Compound and 02 White Lapping Paste). I want to get an edge that will cut the hanging hair. What is the best way to get this?

That depends on where you're coming from. There is an article on hone setups for refreshing edges that have previously been established by a honemeister and setting a bevel, or have many different types of razors. Either way, a 4/8/10+ progression seems the most popular one, especially when used with a pyramid honing scheme.

With regards to the pastes, you might want to take a look at Finishing Pastes - Straight Razor Place Wiki. The white is not a finishing paste, but a strop conditioner for linen only; abrasive quantity unknown.

If that strop is your only one, you may consider Easily make a pasted balsa strop - Straight Razor Place Wiki. If not, you may find Pasting a strop - a photo tutorial - Straight Razor Place Wiki useful.

Good luck,
Robin

I've found that popping hairs comes from the 8k stage. The higher grits can compensate for lack of hair poppingness from the 8k stage, but I've found that if hairs don't pop at 8k, its going to be harder to get them to pop at the 12k or paste stage. Although, pastes may compensate for the 8k and 12k. Not sure, haven't done much testing on that.

I've never been able to get the HHT to work for me. I tried my hair and my wifes hair and neither one work.I guess it helps to have the right type of hair. I rely on the popping of the arm hairs test,PHT or how about PHAT,popping hair on the arm test?

Originally Posted by Leighton

I've found that popping hairs comes from the 8k stage. The higher grits can compensate for lack of hair poppingness from the 8k stage, but I've found that if hairs don't pop at 8k, its going to be harder to get them to pop at the 12k or paste stage. Although, pastes may compensate for the 8k and 12k. Not sure, haven't done much testing on that.

I've had pastes for awhile but didn't use them much as I was trying to work on honing skills without resorting to pastes. Lately I've been hitting the diamond pastes and the spray and found that it is really effective in making a sharp edge even sharper.