Thread: do i need to go back to the 8k again

last week i sat down and work with the hones with intent for the first time. the razors came out sharp when i test shaved them. now my question, i stropped up one of the razors the other morning, and when i shaved with it, it didnt feel as sharp as it did when i tested it. should i go back to the 8k, the escher, or just strop the daylights out of it. needing guidance.

Could be either your stropping or that the bevel was not really set well.

Try some cro/ox on a paddle if you have them. Maybe 10 or 20 passes, then check. If you don't have a pasted paddle, try some more stropping.

If that does not do the trick, consider going back and re-setting the bevel. I have to fight myself not to move on to finer grit hones too quickly and using finer grits with out a proper bevel is a waste of time and energy.

sounds like you did strop the daylight out of it already
try the stropping first then if that dont work go to the finisher and work your way back

query, what is the best way to check to make certain that the bevel is set

Originally Posted by wvloony

query, what is the best way to check to make certain that the bevel is set

no idea about best but if a few passes on the escher helps then it is

I don't know this is the best, but I look at the bevel with a loupe to make sure the bevel is even and that all small chips, spots, and corrosion are gone. Shave some arm or leg hair and see if they really pop off.

All else builds from the bevels edge. After the bevel is set the finer grit hones only polish and refine what is there to begin with, so setting the bevel is primary.

At least those are my thoughts, someone will come along and correct me if I'm wrong or offer other alternatives to consider.

I should have asked what hones you have?

When you first shaved , you say it was all good? If it was then your stropping must of dulled the razoreither you rolled ithe razor by lifting the spine. Other than that the razor was'nt as sharp as you thought. I can get around 20 plus shaves by general stropping may be alot more. How can you tell the bevel is set. First of all look at your edge i use a 30 k loop, we all no what a bevel looks like so look for that formation. (v) check for any slight nicks along the cutting edge. I would use tpt the edge should feel grippy if razor is sharp you should feel sticky. That would mean you have a good bevel , the razor may just need refining a little . Also can you shave arm hair easily if not you need to go back and set bevel untill you can .

if it was me i would use my 4k/8k norton and i would not use a finishing hone untill i could shave of the 8k. Once you get a perfect shave of 8k, then move to your final hone. You will then see the differance that being real smooth.

Just do 5 to 10 on your 8k and then strop. Take a hair and see if your razor passes (HHT). if not repeat. Also it won't harm to do 5 laps on 4k then 10 on 8k strop and test. Don't worry about over honing , hone with no pressure. Just repeat process you will get there.

I use HHT as a good guide the shave is the true test.

to check the bevel take a black marker and mark the edge and do a few passes on the 8 k if there is any marker left on the edge the bevel is not set all the way

Originally Posted by janivar123

sounds like you did strop the daylight out of it already
try the stropping first then if that dont work go to the finisher and work your way back

+1 ~ I get scary visions of people abusing their razors when they talk about stropping the daylights out of them Stropping is a gentle relaxing process
Do the least work you have to but sometimes a close look under a loupe will give you an idea on what steps to take.