Thread: got microscope - Where do I start?

Originally Posted by Korndog

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.

This looks good, just strop it on leather a little more. Those slight rough spots are not worth worrying about.

I just noticed you said that there are less sharp spots on the edge. I assume they look about the same under the microscope. If you don't get them now, you'll get them next time.


If you have the razor keen now and you keep refreshing it, it shouldn't be a problem anymore

So. I shower up with some cool soap fro Ray, and prep carefully. Stropped up the blade with 30 more laps and lathered up with some Trumper's Sandalwood.
I started the first pass as usual and noticed that the blade was shaving now, but not nearly up to what I would consider an acceptable level. I did one cheek and pulled out the other Wonderedge and had an amazing shave. Frustrating, to say the least. I wonder if the edge of this blade still has microscopic imperfections that have not been honed out yet.

Originally Posted by Korndog

So. I shower up with some cool soap fro Ray, and prep carefully. Stropped up the blade with 30 more laps and lathered up with some Trumper's Sandalwood.
I started the first pass as usual and noticed that the blade was shaving now, but not nearly up to what I would consider an acceptable level. I did one cheek and pulled out the other Wonderedge and had an amazing shave. Frustrating, to say the least. I wonder if the edge of this blade still has microscopic imperfections that have not been honed out yet.

Obviously it does, but they don't seem to amount to much. T 200x you picture takes in about 1mm across, so you can imagine how tiny those dips are. The ones in your photo should come out with a 15K with little work or a .5 micron strop with 40 or fewere laps. At this point you need to check more frequently so you don't take a step backwards.

What is it you were feeling pulling or cutting OK but feeling rough on the skin?

Sometimes the edge can look almost smooth and it cuts, but the scratch lines are a little coarse and scrape the skin. They get thin with fine grits and get rubbed off with leather. I couldn't see how coarse the scratch lines are, because they don't show up in your photo.

I'm not sure how to explain it exactly but it didn't glide across my face smoothly and didn't seem as close as a normal frist pass. Yes, it was uncomfortable. I'll try the 15k and see if I can get it smooth. Thanks again.

Now this is what I call a good thread. It was very informative especially the pics. They were pretty cool I learned a lot. I posted a thread today labeled "Mehaz Razor" that I am having a problem getting to take an edge or even build a fin. Any comments after reading it?


Bill Watkins

Glad you are enjoying the thread BIll.

Hey Joe and David
Here is a merged picture of a Filarmonica that is Lynn honed and keen as hell. It is side by side with the Wonderedge fro hell.



That's after a good bit of time on the 15k today. This edge wont get smooth for some reason.

Originally Posted by Korndog

Glad you are enjoying the thread BIll.

Hey Joe and David
Here is a merged picture of a Filarmonica that is Lynn honed and keen as hell. It is side by side with the Wonderedge fro hell.

That's after a good bit of time on the 15k today. This edge wont get smooth for some reason.

Well, you can see it's not even close to Lynn's. Did the 15K do anything to reduce the vaiation in the edge?

If the picture is 200x, then the deepest troughs in the edge are about 5 microns. That's about what a 5K stone would leave. The 15K sure should have fixed that up. I would use it a little more and see if produces any improvement. Put a felt-tipped pen mark off the edge so you can keep photographing the same spot.

Originally Posted by Joe Lerch

If the picture is 200x, then the deepest troughs in the edge are about 5 microns. That's about what a 5K stone would leave. The 15K sure should have fixed that up. I would use it a little more and see if produces any improvement. Put a felt-tipped pen mark off the edge so you can keep photographing the same spot.

Ok, I'll try the 15k some more. Thanks for the idea about the felt tip. I was thinking about stones and decided to take a picture of a Murray Carter knife sharpening job, which are some of the best. He only uses 1k stones I believe and gets the most amazing knife edges anywhere. Here is a picture of it and it looks very smooth across the edge even with the coarser stone. I'm not sure if this means anything, but it makes me think I can go down to the 1k stone to try and grind these nicks out if I have to.