Thread: Question to hone masters

I have a paddle strop that I bought before I understood honing as well as I do now. The hone side can hone my inox very quickly so I suspect that its a low grit stone. Now here is the questions:

Would you recommend a high grit stone in addition to the paddle strop's hone side to complete the honing process?

I was able to get a fairly sharp edge on the inox with my paddle strop but was unable to take it all the way to super sharp. Would you attribute this to the absence of a high grit stone?

Originally Posted by jbcohen

I have a paddle strop that I bought before I understood honing as well as I do now. The hone side can hone my inox very quickly so I suspect that its a low grit stone. Now here is the questions:

Would you recommend a high grit stone in addition to the paddle strop's hone side to complete the honing process?

I was able to get a fairly sharp edge on the inox with my paddle strop but was unable to take it all the way to super sharp. Would you attribute this to the absence of a high grit stone?

Is there a brand on it anywhere? Is this one of those col conk hones or *gasp* zeepk hones?

Its a Jemico.

Here is a photo of it.

Originally Posted by jbcohen

I have a paddle strop that I bought before I understood honing as well as I do now. The hone side can hone my inox very quickly so I suspect that its a low grit stone. Now here is the questions:

Would you recommend a high grit stone in addition to the paddle strop's hone side to complete the honing process?

I was able to get a fairly sharp edge on the inox with my paddle strop but was unable to take it all the way to super sharp. Would you attribute this to the absence of a high grit stone?

I'm not a hone master but I'll take a stab at it until one comes along..... If it was me I would be looking at the edge under magnification to see what the condition and scratch pattern is. More importantly I would judge by the quality of the shave. It is either smooth, comfortable and close or it is not.

If it is not and the reason is a lack of sharpness and or refinement in the edge hones may be an issue. OTOH it may not be the hone (I've not had a paddle/hone like yours) it may be honing technique, shaving technique or a combination of both.

I guess I need a few more honing lessons before I am ready to eally do the job. I sent the blade for honing to Lynn Abrams so sharpeness is not really an issue any. I have Lynn's DVD at home on the entertainment center somewhere I guess I should watch that chapter again. I have gotten a lot better since this time shaving with a straight so the shave technique may have been an issue at the time. I guess more time in front of the DVD player is in order.

Good beard prep, good lathering, proper skin stretching, blade angle and direction of attack all play a part. If you cover all of the bases you'll begin to be able to analyze where the problem may be.

This razor is one of the 3/8 Dovo Inox razors and it was flattened unevenly on both sides of the spine with corresponding problems on the edge. In addition there were a bunch of chips on the edge. This razor is a little different on the hone and strop because of it's size. You really need to be careful to make sure you are keeping the spine and edge on both as you do a nice even stroke. Even the angle when shaving with one of these is a little different because of it's size. I find a 3/8 razor more suitable to touch ups than complete shaving although it certainly can be done.

Have fun,

Lynn