Thread: got microscope - Where do I start?

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.

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.