Ace gets over the hump, well, kinda
I've been limping to the finish line with a Dovo Shavette, and during the past week I've been attempting to "hone up" a Clauss hollow ground in order to shave with a proper straight. I've now been through three separate bevel resets and honing progressions using a 1K, 4K, 8K, all Nortons, and a 12K Naniwa SS, followed by work on the SRD Modular Paddle with .5 Diamond Spray, and then on to the Premium I leather strop.
I've been posting on this in the 'Honing' section, but I've not been getting much feedback there, got tired of responding to my own posts, so here I am with a few questions:
First, the third of the three progressions was done with three layers of tape. I thought that three layers might give me a better shot at an honest bevel. It seems to have worked, because I was able to shave with it this morning. I was able to hear that "buttering toast' sound I have heard about and whiskers were being cut. I did experience, though, that the blade seemed to 'tire' toward the end of the first pass, so I continued on with the Shavette. Questions:
1. After the 8K Norton, the blade had difficulty with arm hair. That's fine with me because I'm running out. Does it make sense that after 8K arm hair cutting wasn't the best yet it shaved pretty well at the end of the progression?
2. Now that I have a blade that is "almost there", what do I do? I could redo the whole process (I'm just working with a practice blade here, nothing special) or I could try to finish it up a little. So, where would a likely place to start be? Perhaps a pyramid with the 8K and 12K?
3. I like the Modular Paddle, but I get almost no draw at all with the leather. The fact that the paddle stays flat seems to limit draw. I have treated it with Neatsfoot Oil every day, but it still seems quite slick. I'm not sure, therefore, that my stropping is accomplishing anything.
The plus side of all this work is that my technique in honing and shaving seem to be coming into line. The work has been quite enjoyable, especially now when I can see some results.
Ideas anyone!