Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 14
  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    9
    Thanked: 0

    Default Sharpness For Shaving

    I have been slowly practicing my honing on several razors that include one new that was professionally honed and used for about 4 months and then a couple vintage from ebay. I have been going from bevel setting to finishing with a simple Norton 1/4/8K progression and vintage Thuri.

    I am trying to assess how well I am doing with regards to sharpness for shaving. I know I have much to improve on getting a really nice smooth edge for comfort. However, I am focusing right now on making sure that I am setting the bevel properly and getting the razor sharp enough for shaving.

    In testing for sharpness,
    - I always pass the TNT
    - 60-70% of the time I can cut hairs off my arm (they're not scared off like some of you, though)
    - I am still getting the feel for the TPT, but do sense the "biting" or digging needed for sharpness.

    In the end, I shave and find that I am cutting the hair off my face. Sometimes there is a little more pulling or ATG comes off somewhat rough.

    My questions are as follows:
    1. If I am shaving hair off my face, am I doing a good job setting the bevel? 2. Are there noticeably different levels of sharpness that come off the bevel setting (1K and/or 4K) or does that come into play later in my honing progression?
    3. If I don't pop hairs on my arm but still cut hairs on my face, does it mean that I am not setting the bevel as well as I should.
    4. If there is just a little bit of pulling on the whiskers and/or against the grain is cutting a bit rough, is this corrected in bevel setting or in subsequent honing?

    While I enjoy my honemeister razor shaves, I do like the craft and challenge of getting my own close shaves!

    Thanks,

    Jeff

  2. #2
    At this point in time... gssixgun's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    North Idaho Redoubt
    Posts
    26,948
    Thanked: 13221
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    Sounds like to me from what you are saying, you need a touch more work in 4k/8k area... It seems that you have the bevel set...
    Honestly the pyramid was designed for this stage of the game, it is very very effective at building smoothness and sharpness and teaching you what that feels like...
    It really does allow you to sneak up on the shaving edge...

    After you get the 4/8 so that it is shaving smooth, then and only then add the Thuringen back into the equation...
    Pigtail strokes with a light slurry diluting to clear water after about 20 laps bring out a buttery smooth edge on mine you have to work that into a system with yours...
    Last edited by gssixgun; 03-14-2011 at 04:51 PM.

  3. #3
    This is not my actual head. HNSB's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Middle of nowhere, Minnesota
    Posts
    4,623
    Thanked: 1371
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default

    Regarding the sharpness tests and knowing where you're at:
    The problem is that sharpness tests are very subjective, and individual "calibration" is needed.

    For me the bevel is set when it will cut arm hair. It won't cut arm hair above the skin, and it won't "pop" arm hair. It just needs to cut it. Then it's time for me to move on.
    Other people have different arm hair, and thus the test is different.

    If you are cutting hair off your face, then the bevel is set. It's odd that you can't cut hair on your arm. (or is it cutting arm hair, just not "popping" it?)
    (note: I'm not a big fan of the word "pop" here, as it means different things to different people, so is not terribly useful)

    Once the bevel is set, the problems you're having are *typically* above the 1k level. Follow Glen's advice and you'll be getting smooth shaves in no time.



    It is also possible that you've created a micro-bevel with a bad stroke or two. The magic marker test might allow you to see the micro-bevel if it's large enough. In that case, you could start back at your 1k with a few very light strokes to remove it and then work back up.
    Last edited by HNSB; 03-14-2011 at 05:02 PM.

    Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.

  4. #4
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    9
    Thanked: 0

    Default

    Thanks for the info. I'll work in the middle grits. It helps to know that I am making progress beyond bevel setting.

    What are "pigtails"?

  5. #5
    Member straightshot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Virginia Beach, Va
    Posts
    89
    Thanked: 12

    Default

    I would also like to know what is meant by "pigtail strokes". I came across this thread by doing a search for it.

  6. #6
    Senior Member TheZ's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Washington, DC
    Posts
    219
    Thanked: 86

    Default

    I believe that refers to doing a circle stroke with the razor on the side of the hone then transitioning it into a stroke across the stone - so you are basically doing a circle and x-stroke on each side, alternating. It may also refer to doing a long stroke across the stone that has a circle "swirl" added in partway through the stroke.
    Last edited by TheZ; 03-19-2011 at 02:58 PM.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Wolfpack34's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    California
    Posts
    1,596
    Thanked: 865

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by straightshot View Post
    I would also like to know what is meant by "pigtail strokes". I came across this thread by doing a search for it.
    I am also unclear about the 'Pigtail Stroke'...can anyone give a detailed explanation???

    Thanks

    WP34
    Lupus Cohors - Appellant Mors !

  8. #8
      Lynn's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    St. Louis, Missouri, United States
    Posts
    8,454
    Thanked: 4941
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default

    The pigtail is that little curly q stroke at the end of an X stroke. To me it distributes the slurry back on the stone for the next stroke. Take a look at one of Glen's videos. I don't use is as for me, typically a decent X stroke will keep the slurry distributed across the stone and maintain the distribution as you change directions. Remember though that anything you pick up that works for you on a repeated basis is worth keeping in your arsenal, regardless of what any one else says or does.

    The real keys here are not so much the tests through out the entire process of honing. Bevel setting is critical and using virtually no pressure as you finish out from at least the 8K, your finishing stone and paste or spray if you use it are the real keys for success. Typically if you're shave test is not where you want it to be, these are the culprits.

    Have fun,

    Lynn

  9. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Lynn For This Useful Post:

    Mvcrash (04-28-2011), Wolfpack34 (04-28-2011)

  10. #9
    Senior Member Wolfpack34's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    California
    Posts
    1,596
    Thanked: 865

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Lynn View Post
    The pigtail is that little curly q stroke at the end of an X stroke. To me it distributes the slurry back on the stone for the next stroke. Take a look at one of Glen's videos. I don't use is as for me, typically a decent X stroke will keep the slurry distributed across the stone and maintain the distribution as you change directions. Remember though that anything you pick up that works for you on a repeated basis is worth keeping in your arsenal, regardless of what any one else says or does.

    The real keys here are not so much the tests through out the entire process of honing. Bevel setting is critical and using virtually no pressure as you finish out from at least the 8K, your finishing stone and paste or spray if you use it are the real keys for success. Typically if you're shave test is not where you want it to be, these are the culprits.

    Have fun,

    Lynn
    Thanks so much Lynn! Your post clears up a lot questions for me. I've now had 4 shaves with 2 different Ebay's that I have reset the bevels on, from 400K to 12k using your pyramid technique on the finishing stones 8-12K. I've practiced my stropping and now feel that I am 'Beginner Decent' at that.

    But... ( and I really don't know what a 'Good Shave' should feel like yet!)... when I've shaved it feels that (although I get all the whiskers -excepting the tight spots!) the razor tends to pull and scrape a bit. It's kinda hard to explain...but it's definitely not 'Butter Smooth' as I've heard described hereabouts.

    Both razors pass the TPT ( I think? Because that is a tough 'feel' to develop)...yet I am not 'really satisfied' with the shaves. It feels like I'm definitely exfoliating as much or more than just shaving!

    At this point I want to 'blame it on my shaving technique' and I keep telling myself that it will get smoother with practice...I hope it does.

    I've ordered a Balsa strop with CrO2 and a Felt strop with Diamond slurry which I should have in a few days...maybe this is the missing piece??? We'll see...

    Thanks again for the help ( and all of your fine mentoring posts in the Wiki...I'd really be lost without those!).

    WP34
    Lupus Cohors - Appellant Mors !

  11. The Following User Says Thank You to Wolfpack34 For This Useful Post:

    Lynn (04-28-2011)

  12. #10
      Lynn's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    St. Louis, Missouri, United States
    Posts
    8,454
    Thanked: 4941
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default

    Don't be afraid to give the razor 3-5 more light strokes on the 12K as well and then strop and see if any improvement.

    Have fun,

    Lynn

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •