Thread: got microscope - Where do I start?

I was really confused by that last shot, so I redid it after stropping. Here it is at 200x.

Originally Posted by Korndog

I just tested it this morning and this razor doesn't shave yet. I used another Wonderedge that I honed myself taking all the way from the 2k to the .25 paste before I got the scope. That one is near perfect I think.

Looks like Joe was right about the 200x shot. Not sure what happened, but here are two pics. One is of the Wonderedge that shaves and the other is our work in progress. Both at 200x. Clearly the experimetnal one is in need of some help.

Gentlemen?

The first shot is what I would expect. Any edge that looks that good at 200x should shave well. I've never seen anything like that second shot. I wonder what those microscopic bubbles are. Did you get something on the edge?

Originally Posted by Korndog

I was really confused by that last shot, so I redid it after stropping. Here it is at 200x.

OK. Whatever was on the edge got stropped off. That edge looks good. It should shave. I wouldn't use a stone anymore. Try the pasted strops and plain leather.

I just ried to blow up your photo to study it, but the resolution wasn't good enough. I assume the original has better resolution. Blow it up and see if you can make out the very edge. It should look like a fin with little pins standing up. From what I could see, you only had the beginnings of a fin in a few spots.

That suggests insufficient honing. I don't know how that could be with all the work you've done. You should definitely see the fin after the 8K. Look at the photo I linked you to. Maybe you're applying too light a pressure. From the scratch maks, I can see you've done some honing and you've definitely done it down to a fine grit. You could use a little more stropping, because the scratch lines are still pretty pronounced. When you strop they become polished and dimmer.

Thanks Joe. I'll try putting it on the pasted strops and see what happens. There must have been some moisture on the edge from when I tried this morning. I thought the edge looked ok too, but I'll try and blow it up and check for teeth.

Don't know about you guys, but this thread really shows how involved we get when learning to hone and helping new folks. This is super!!! When you get the picture that David showed at 60x, that should be it and should be the goal. Very easy to see and determine where you are at. Lynn

I agree Lynn; this thread has been ey opening and I really appreciate the help I am reveiving. Unforntunatley this blade is not shaving still. I just tried it again this mornign and feel like I want to take it down to the 5k again or maybe even the 2k.

Originally Posted by Korndog

I agree Lynn; this thread has been ey opening and I really appreciate the help I am reveiving. Unforntunatley this blade is not shaving still. I just tried it again this mornign and feel like I want to take it down to the 5k again or maybe even the 2k.

I checked a whole bunch of razors that shave great, including 2 done by Lynn. They look very much like your photo, except the fin is continuous, but it's about the same size (it looks like about 20 microns (micrometers) on the QX5 microscope). So, the 5K might be OK if you don't overdo it. Just try to get a continuous fin, even if it's bigger. At that grit it won't be really even. When you go to the 8K that evens it out. I've noticed that each smaller grit makes it more even. Coming off the 8K it looks good but after a 12K it looks flat at 60x and 100x.

I would agree that you only need to use 60x after you've fixed a razor at 100x the first time or if you weren't trying to get the best edge but just a good shaving razor. The Ebay razors that I was shaving with didn't check out at 100x and all improved noticeably when I went back and fixed them.

Of course, nobody would recommend this 200x analysis as the way to hone every razor, but this one is a problem and it presents a good opportunity to learn what's going on. I think we all would enjoy seeing more pictures as you progress, if you don't mind.

I hope I am not burning everyone out on this thread. Joe, I decided to take it down to the 2k stone and start over down through .25 paste. The razor, which seems to be a problem case, now pops arm hairs effortlessly and passes hanging hair test, but not everywhere on the blade. It still looks rough to my eye, but it feels like itmight shave now. What do you think? Thanks.

The thread rocks...keep it up. Good info for the newbies as Lynn mentioned. I think it might shave now looks like most of mine, but they can be rough on the face. Not the most pleasant shave..try in and let us know.