Thread: Ain't got the touch :-(

I've been at this for about 7 months, and while I can get my razors to shave me, I just can't seem to get the smooth comfortable shave. The razors always drag a little bit, especially in the dense area around my chin. I did get one razor shaving me comfortable for a while, but I can't seem to do this consistently. I've been very careful about my hone preparation, making sure they are sufficiently flat and smooth. I also have a variety of hones now (Norton 4/8, Shapton 15, and yellow coticule) and have tried all of them with various success. I'm very gentle with the blades and don't use much pressure at all on the hones or the strop. In short, my razors are close to good, but not quite there. I can get them to pass the HHT off the hone, but just barely.

I think there must be wrong something in my technique... I use 3" wide hones, and lead with the heel first to get the X-pattern. The last two months I have NOT purposely worked up a slurry on any of my hones. Hope this isn't too vague.

Any suggestions?

E

i still have fits honing. Sometimes i can get them to pass the HHT (barely) sometimes I can not. what helped me bring razors to a more comfortable level is using a pasted strop. It is my intention to keep using the pasted strop and contimue to work on my honing technique. Someday I hope to be able to get a great shave with just hones. But even some of our most noted honers here finish with paste

E,

If it's any consolation, you're not alone. I'm in the same boat. I picked up a Norton 4k/8k the other day and thought finally I've got the right hone now to get that great edge. On my first go round with it, my razor came out worse than when I started. I've gotten better edges off 2k sandpaper. I can now get an edge that's good enough to keep me from giving up, but I've concluded that honing is more a black art than science. Hang in there. It'll come eventually.

Mike

I just got a third razor to shave comfortable (the Watco I’ve been working on for awhile) and I have yet to get one to pass a HHT off the hone. The pasted strop I got from Tony has greatly contributed to my success.

I would suggest being a little more aggressive honing. Do not go crazy on the 4k side but try using more pressure than what you are using now. Using pressure is almost like using a different hone. I really like to use the circular pattern to establish a good even bevel. This also gets rid of micro size chips and oxidation. Two factors that equal a not so great shave. A Radio Shack microscope ($8.00) will be a big help at this stage. Back off the pressure as you are honing until you are back to removing hardly any metal. As far as the chin area is concerned extra prep is required and pull the skin tighter.

Glen

If you're getting them close, try 5 strokes on the 8K side of the Norton followed by 10 strokes on the Coticule. Test and shave. May take two or three times to get it to the point you like. Keep us posted. Lynn

I would also suggest using some pressure on the 8K of the Notron. It helps on the 4K also. Lately, I am using only the 8K to refresh my razors, about 10 strokes per razor...

Nenad

Try Lynns approach first. The use of pressure is a last resort.
Generally speaking I only use presure on the 4000 stone and then only when I am wearing off nicks and old steel. After that then I stop using pressure on the 4000.
One of the things I have noticed is that people do not use a slow honing stroke, they go to fast. This results in a slightly rounded edge. Try slowing down....try using a 1.5-2 second stroke per side of the razor.

The other thing I have noticed is that people are not focusing on keeping an equal distribution of pressure along both the length of the blade and the width of the blade. There should be the same pressure on the edge and the spine and from the heel to the toe.

Just my two cents,

Also consider a bit more pressure on the strop. Just enough to feel some drag on the blade. And I often go to the linen after the initial leather stropping for a few round trips and then back to the leather.
Also a few light passes on the hone again after the strop and then again on the strop may fine tune your edge.
Regarding the HHT, look for a smooth slicing and not a "popping" of the hair away from the blade.
My opinion, "popping" = "pulling."

Thanks all for the very good tips!

I will give some of these things a try and let you know how it goes.

Originally Posted by honedright

Regarding the HHT, look for a smooth slicing and not a "popping" of the hair away from the blade.
My opinion, "popping" = "pulling."

The one blade I have that works this way with the HHT gives the smoothest, most comfortable shave. If only I had honed it! (it came from the TI factory that way)

E