Thread: How good does it have too be?

I just got a Radio Shack microscope to check my handy work. Razors that I thought were super keen and my best shavers are scary looking. There are all kinds of chunks missing and under 100x it looks like you would need a 4x4 to drive over the edge. Is this somewhat normal with ebay specials or do I need too go back to the drawing board?

Glen

Its up to you. At 100x they all look a little rougher than you might expect. Some of my best shavers don't look that good under 80x, but I have concluded that if they shave great I shouldn't worry about it. The ones I've had that shave horrible had huge, huge divots in it. Every time I re-hone them slightly as they dull I make an effort to make the bevel just a tad better. "Going back to the drawing board" isn't what I would advise, mearly because I don't think you can get the edge much better.

I think, in my opinion, if they shave great I would reverse engineer the process. Start asking your self why it shaves great, not assuming that if it looks bad that it shouldn't be doing what its already doing. I'd hate for you to work on an edge for a month and discover that your assumption was wrong and that those little nicks don't mean squat.

At this stage I would advise you to work on using the slightest pressure humanly possible to improve the edge, but only as it dulls.

IMHO....

I would suggest using the 60X setting and hone on the 4000 grit using circular strokes until the edge is of uniform finish.
Then move on to the finer grits.

Someone here has the link to Lynn's circular honing motion.
Maybe they will post it.

Hope this helps,

The pic of the honing motion is in my gallery...

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Every time I re-hone them slightly as they dull I make an effort to make the bevel just a tad better.

Thanks for all the great imput and suggestions. I am curious too learn more about the bevel. I thought that the bevel was a thicker portion of the blade near the edge that can not be repaired or replaced. As the edge wears down the bevel disapears. Talking with old time barbers some of there favorite razors are worn past were the bevel was. The razor still seems too work for them even without the original bevel.

Thanks,
Glen

Microscopes are a fun tool to use but don't lose sight of the fact that shaving is the ultimate test. If it shaves good don't mess with it. If you looked at alot of things under magnification that we use every day you would never touch them again.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Microscopes are a fun tool to use but don't lose sight of the fact that shaving is the ultimate test. If it shaves good don't mess with it. If you looked at alot of things under magnification that we use every day you would never touch them again.

This is so true. It doesn't matter what tests it passes or doesn't pass. The shave is the real test. If you are happy with the shave it is sharp enough.

I consider the bevel to be the entire area of the edge and the convergence of the two sides of the blade which at the tip lead to the edge. All the area that builds the edge has an influence on how it shaves. The razor can not be used "past" the point of the bevel, because you build a new bevel. You continue to build the bevel or polish it or refine it every time you hone.

If you bought a new 8/8 razor today and honed it for a year solid what you'd have left would still have a bevel, and you could sell it as a 4/8 once you removed half the razor with all that honing. Assuming ofcourse it wasn't a wedge at that point...

If Randy says to hone it I would have to acquiese, he has far more experience than I. Let us know how it goes.

I guess I should have expressed myself better.
If the razor is shaving you well then you might want to let it be. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

However, if it were my razor and I could see nicks in the bevel at 60X then I would definitely take the razor to the hone and remove the nicks. I take ALL! vintage razors to the hone. I want to get rid of the oxidised edge and have good solid steel as a cutting edge.

Just my two cents,

Originally Posted by randydance062449

I guess I should have expressed myself better.
If the razor is shaving you well then you might want to let it be. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

However, if it were my razor and I could see nicks in the bevel at 60X then I would definitely take the razor to the hone and remove the nicks. I take ALL! vintage razors to the hone. I want to get rid of the oxidised edge and have good solid steel as a cutting edge.

Just my two cents,

Randy I am with you on the "If it ain't broke don't fix it". Sometimes you just can't keep yourself from tinkering.