Thread: Getting a smoother/duller edge??

As for the cautions with too sharp a blade, I have found that to be an oxymoron. It's like "too much beer". For me, at least, the sharper the better. My normal honing routine progresses thusly...Norton 4k, Belgian blue, Norton 8k, Belgian yellow coticule, Shapton 15k pro, .25 micron pasted paddle strop, smooth russian leather hanger. The starting point depends on how far gone the edge is. I haven't noticed any increased tendency for the edge to catch on anything, but I do stretch. I have a few moles that are not flush with the surrounding skin, and with careful stretching, my blades don't even snag on them. I have tried stopping both after the coticule and stopping after the 15k. There is an improvement after the coticule in using the 15k, but the improvement is negligible with the .25 paste over the 15k. I normally hit the .25 for about 30-40 round trips, maybe 50-60 for a stainless blade. I *think* that's enough... I still do the .25 normally, but if I didn't, I'd still be alright. I figure I might as well, since I have the equipment.

Jeff

I guess "too sharp" really depends on the skin sensitivity. I have sensitive skin and when I finished my razors with .25 micron I started to get razor burn irritation.

Backhoning two laps on 8k followed by a couple of regular laps and then going up to .5 micron solved the problem. I did the same for all my razors that were finished on .25 micron.

I no longer use .25 micron since it makes the shaves less pleasant for me.

Originally Posted by Garry

superfly .. may I ask how your lapping of the lithide hone went ?
I spoke to Tilly about the lithide as mine didn't initially lap to the 'almost mirror finish' After a lot of persiveirance I've got one side mirror smooth - I think my problem may have been the 350 wet n dry . it was maybe a little too harsh .. I then used a carborundum hone and to get the mirror smooth finish - a sheet of glass !!! and a tiny cermaic hone I use for my fountain pen nibs ..
any advice tips on the correct approach would be appreciated .

Well, the lapping of the Lithide went not so fine. I too didn't got the mirror smooth finish, but somewhat matte, with the feeling to touch between the blue and yellow side of the Norton. I also didn't managed to put mirror finish on the Itsapeech. I was using 1000 wet, on the glass panel... The Itsapeech cost me lot more elbow greese, and was making slurry a little. The Lithide, on the other side, was lapping somewhat faster...

Oh, did I mention I shuttered the Lithide on my bathroom floor?

Nenad, -1 Lithide

Originally Posted by vladsch

I guess "too sharp" really depends on the skin sensitivity. I have sensitive skin and when I finished my razors with .25 micron I started to get razor burn irritation.

Backhoning two laps on 8k followed by a couple of regular laps and then going up to .5 micron solved the problem. I did the same for all my razors that were finished on .25 micron.

I no longer use .25 micron since it makes the shaves less pleasant for me.

I suppose I'm fairly lucky that I don't have overly sensitive skin. I do have a pretty coarse beard, however, and the extra mile with the 15k and the .25 help the blade mow things down easier on the first pass, especially if I've gone a few days without shaving. After that first pass, it doesn't make as much of a difference. Although I CAN get away with little to no pressure on the blade, even on my chin ~ and those whiskers are very very tough buggers.

Jeff

I got one of the last Honemaster hones from Tilly several months ago. This hone looked somewhat shinny on the surface but when honing you could tell right away that it had the feel / drag of a intermediate or medium grit hone. I used sandpaper starting with 800 grit working all the way up to 1500 grit on a piece of glass to get a real slick feeling finish. I only use this hone wet, either with water or lather. It works so well that I am in no hurry too go out and buy a 4k/8k Norton. I have done this with a Swaty as well with good results, but think the Honemaster is the far superior hone.

Glen

My Honemaster is glassy smooth. Very Fine. But cuts FAST! My Honemaster (or I suspect the Lithide) could give you that smoothed edge feeling you're looking for.

Another thing is the type of steel you are using. If you've got sensitive skin, maybe stainless steel isn't such a great idea. The German blades are great, but my Heljestrand from Sweden is a GREAT blade with a very soft steel with a difference which I can feel. I've got forestryprof Ed's Pipe Razor looking for it's first test shave tomorrow and I suspect by how it honed up that it'll feel the same, soft. Have you tried any of these steels at ultra sharp?

X

Jeff,

You mentioned a russian hanging strop. Brand?

RT

Yesterday I lapped the Itsapeech some more, and discovered that it has upper layer, I guess from baking it, protection and stuff, which you have to remove. Underneath is a very fine, mirror like surface, with fine metallic and orange specs... It is giving me HARD time lapping, and I still have some 30% of the surface to go. It seams like slow cutting hone...

Nenad

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

Jeff,

You mentioned a russian hanging strop. Brand?

RT

RT it says "JEMICO" on it. I've had it for probably 10 years or so. I thought I remembered ordering a Dovo strop way back when, but this is what came. Not sure if this is a Dovo or not...?

Jeff

Mr. X I thought the Lithide hones were a charcoal or graphite color. My Honemaster is a light brown or tan like color.

Glen