Thread: Finishing a stainless blade?

So I've got a vintage Friodur that I've honed up to 8K and gotten a very nice shave or two. I'd like to polish it up but I'm wondering--I've got a Naniwa12K, a Dark Blue Escher, and my Japanese Naturals.

What would be a good starting point for each of those in terms of strokes? I'm having a hard time getting the TPT to tell me the difference between an 8K edge and a polished edge, and Stainless worries me because I've heard they can be tricky on the final polish, so I'm hesitant to just start honing and testing without any reference.

Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks!
Jim

Hi Jim,

I don´t think you will have any problems finishing this stainless razor.
Most of the "complicated" Razors (I believe) come up with problems on the coarse and medium level.
But if you already are at the state, where you are getting good shaves,
you will only need a bit of touch up.
As for the Nani, I guess they cut all very fast and very few light strokes should suffice.
Dont worry too much. It´s just a razor.
Kepp a light touch.
Maybe you do a little HHT or armhairtests to estimate the edge


as for the TPT:
I polish the edge in the post 8k level until it hardly feels sticky anymore.
It obviously cuts, but it doesn´t "grab" the skin.
It gently slides through the skin until.... *ouch*

Key word here is "Vintage" I am there for assuming it is not one of the newer Friodurs, the 7/8 -8/8 monsters?????

Those are the ones that can get harsh if your not careful, at least IME...
The vintage ones are some of the smoothest shavers you will find, and will probably react well with any of those stones...

Here is my general rule of thumb, which by no means has any veracity other, than it works for me to think this way...
The "harder" the steel, or the more prone it is the micro chipping, and harshness the softer feeling I want the stone to be...

I have a little different opinion about SS blades.
i really do have problem myself to get what i want from them. I want maximum edge from any blade.
Most of the time (at least until last year) i wasn't able to satisfy myself with job i am doing on SS blades.
what was my problem.
i did get edge sharp and shave ready almost but i have to get smoothness never able to do that with by using any of the stones you mention Jim.
i tried them and edge starts to melt and i didn't like that.
Finally one day i find CHARNLEY FOREST and it resolved my problem.
i get edge shave ready and last touch i use only charnley and blade is smooth and i am happy.
This is just my experiment i know many of you have different opinions and experience. GL
hope this helps.

Thanks guys, gotcha.

Glen, yeah, this is an oldy--6/8 roundpoint. But a nice shaver already...I'm excited to see what I can do with it.

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

I have a little different opinion about SS blades.
i really do have problem myself to get what i want from them. I want maximum edge from any blade.
Most of the time (at least until last year) i wasn't able to satisfy myself with job i am doing on SS blades.
what was my problem.
i did get edge sharp and shave ready almost but i have to get smoothness never able to do that with by using any of the stones you mention Jim.
i tried them and edge starts to melt and i didn't like that.
Finally one day i find CHARNLEY FOREST and it resolved my problem.
i get edge shave ready and last touch i use only charnley and blade is smooth and i am happy.
This is just my experiment i know many of you have different opinions and experience. GL
hope this helps.

Sham. SHAM. You KNOW I'm dealing with terminal HAD, don't you? You KNOW that having read this, I won't be able to rest until I get a Charnley forest, right?

Sham, you're like a guy outside a methodone clinic singing songs about the joys of heroin...

Sorry Jim you asked for it, I just cannot stop helping my friends . ants in my brain just pushing me got to srp and say your lovely(horrible opinion).

I would say do the same routine as for any other Carbon Steel blade but plan on doing some extra trips on the hone but nothing drastic.

Well, I gave it 25 laps on the Escher, and it was a nice smooth shave tonight. Thanks guys...











So, anyone have a Charnley Forest they want to get rid of?

great job congratulations.

Originally Posted by JimR

So, anyone have a Charnley Forest they want to get rid of?

You need one of these and you know it!