Thread: Too Sharp

Hi all,

maybe my conclusions (teeth ruled out etc.) are wrong, because if I have a look at my honing pattern:

Originally Posted by Martin Adler

...
1000 King stone with water,
6000 King stone with water,
8000 King stone with water,
Blue Belgian coticule with lather,
plain leather strop (I don't use pasted strops).

I'd maybe better interpret the mechanism in the following way:

After establishing an edge with the 1000 and 6000 and polishing it with the 8000 I add striations to it with the coticule having a grit of about 4000-6000.

This could explain my success in always freshing up razors on the coticule only when they begin to become dull and need some honing.

What is more: Today I didn't use the double X pattern (giving rhombic striations) on the coticule, but only a simple X (giving parallel striations). The result was a stunning HHT. Tomorrow I will see how the razor shaves.

So maybe I am back on the road to belief in teeth

Best regards
Martin

Martin,
Can you clarify just which stone you are refering to as your final step. You mention the Belgian Blue Coticule. The Coticule (stone of Vielsalm) typically refers to the yellow Belgian stone which is finer than the blue.

Belgians rate the Blue Whetstone at 4000 grit and the byellow at 8000 grit but most find that both stones cut much finer.

Are you using the blue stone as your final honing step? How do you feel about the way it works? I have several of the blue stones myself but find they are not popular here in the US like the Nortons of Yellow Coticules are.

Tony Miller

Hi Tony,

I mean the blue Belgian stone found recently in the Belgian Ardennes.

Mine is formed regularly and seems to be rather hard and not extremely abrasive. So, for dull ebay razors it works much to slow in my opinion.
The Japanese stones (King) are much more aggressive, even at 8000.

I always use this blue stone as the final step and get much better results compared to stopping after the 8000.

As far as maintenance of an edge after the initial establishing is concerned: the blue stone and a plain leather strop are the only tools I need to keep the razor in perfect condition.

I hope I answered your questions.

Best regards
Martin

Martin,
Thanks. I think I need to work with my Blue stones a bit to see just what they can do. I had a few come in for resale but decided to keep them for my collection but have yet to spend time with them, so far, favoring the yellow ones.
Thanks for your input.

Tony

Here are some very good images of a commercial razor blades clearly showing the scratch patterns and micro-bevel geometry along with some interesting comments.

Razor Blade Edge Photos