Quote Originally Posted by Lesslemming View Post
...try to determine where the problem lies. What happens when you hit the 8k after the 4k? Does the edge get more smooth, do arm hairs shave more easily? Is HHT possible?
And is this smoothenes, or keenes comprimised after you strop?

This way you might be able to make out what you have to work on;
honing skills or stropping skills.
I've acquired 4 blades recently, each of which has varying amounts of smile. That meant I've been working that same stroke (and it's not easy). After spending untold time on a large swayback wedge, the stroke got a little better, but the main prob for me was my stropping. I made a 3" latigo strop, and noticed the toe is never as sharp as any other part of the edge. 'Tried cleaning, oiling, hand rubbing, bottle rubbing - nothing would take the bow out of the strop. I read that the 3" strops are much more prone to getting a wave in one direction or another. So I made one 2.5" wide, and it went from chopping the course chest hair to chopping the super fine head hair.

I also just finished bringing in a difficult blade. Middle to heel cut course hair, but not the fine hair. Back to the canvas (30 more), then leather (80 more). The fine hair would then either slit or chop - progress. Going back multiple times to the canvas & then leather has brought in several razors now. To verify I had a wavy strop, I laid a flat edge on the strop while holding the handle - like I was stropping. There was plenty of room (light showing) at the toe & heel - on a flat/straight blade.

We'll get there. Being a noob aint easy, but perseverance or stupidity (in my case, too dumb to know when to quit) will get us there.