Thread: Have some microchipping, but shaves well?

I purchased a cheap usb microscope. I was looking at the edges off of a Nani 12k and there was some micro chipping, but the blade shaved very well. For comparison purposes, I looked at an edge that was honed by Max. No microchipping on Max's edge.

Should I go back and get the microchipping out of the blade even though it shaved well? It was a close, comfortable shave. No pulling or irritation. It felt smooth. I'm assuming that because of the chipping the edge will break down sooner than an edge without the chipping.

What is the best method to fix the microchipping?

I usually let them go until they need attention even if there is micro chipping. As long as it is shaving well and the chips are only visible with magnification I don't mind. When you do want to correct the edge throw a piece of tape on it and hone the micro chips out with light circles followed by x strokes. When you're satisfied with the edge remove the tape, unless you use tape anyway, and finish from there. Just what I would do, others may have better or different procedures. Where to start depends on the amount of chips and size of them. I would probably drop to 8k to begin with and see where that was getting me for awhile before I went lower. BTW, the less magnification I use the better my honing is.

Thanks Jimmy. I have a pretty nice sized rotation so I may just let it go until it needs. I was just a little disappointed because I was pleased with the edge. I'm a little afraid to look at the goldedge I honed last night. It also felt very smooth and shaved great.

IMO, the only reason you should be disappointed is if you care more about how the edge looks than how it shaves. As far as I can tell, the microchipping is not a problem at all. We can only speculate about where the edge will go and if it will be a problem in the future.

A few guys have posted about getting caught up in how an edge looks. To me, the shave test is the ultimate test, and the rest is only good if it helps me get better shaves.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

IMO, the only reason you should be disappointed is if you care more about how the edge looks than how it shaves. As far as I can tell, the microchipping is not a problem at all. We can only speculate about where the edge will go and if it will be a problem in the future.

A few guys have posted about getting caught up in how an edge looks. To me, the shave test is the ultimate test, and the rest is only good if it helps me get better shaves.

That is reassuring that shave quality is all that matters. I was really surprised by the chipping. There wasn't a lot, just two individual chips that were not visible to the naked eye. I was checking out the edge just to compare it to Max's. I'm always trying to improve my honing abilities and Max would obviously be a great benchmark. I thought the microscope was going to be helpful.

Originally Posted by jcsixx

That is reassuring that shave quality is all that matters. I was really surprised by the chipping. There wasn't a lot, just two individual chips that were not visible to the naked eye. I was checking out the edge just to compare it to Max's. I'm always trying to improve my honing abilities and Max would obviously be a great benchmark. I thought the microscope was going to be helpful.

The microscope is helpful. You just have to learn when to ignore it.

Sorry to say i wouldn't use blade with micro chipped edge. I am not sure what magnification you are using but if it is 60 and below and you can see chipping i would worry about it.( if you are talking about 200 and more i wouldn't worry about it as Jimmy mention above)
what happens is this. chipped location is dull and will not cut the hair same as rest of the blade. as a result that spot will have more resistance against the hair.
This will end up uncomfortable shave and sooner or later chip will get larger. I got that you said it does give to you comfortable shave but it is temporary. when chip size will go larger the thickness of the hair you will feel the problem.
this is just my personal opinion.
hope this helps.

For me it's a matter of how big they are and how many there are. If there is really a swarm of them you will get a harsh shave no matter how small they are (within reason of course-if you are using alot of mag well...). If its 1 or 2 and with my 10x mag they look really tiny I don't worry. The shave tells me when it's time to act.

Originally Posted by jcsixx

What is the best method to fix the microchipping?

Do a TNT on a wet thumbnail, Twice....
Then drop two stones down and re-hone from there....

So lets assume you are doing a typical Naniwa SS progression you would drop to the 8k, and hone from there... If the razor is one of the brands prone to microchipping then use the 8k with a very light slurry for 10 laps then dilute to clear... See if that helps

Sorry guys, but I am missing the correlation here. There are many stones that I use and will see occasional microchipping on some razors. This includes, Norton 8K, Shaptons, Coticules, Eschers, and Naniwa. Not so much with my Ohzuku, Asagi's or Kiita. I rarely look at the scope any more unless I am having problem with an edge. To see a micro chip or two in an entire blade only under the microscope is what kind of problem?? And when a shave is not effected?? Typically if I see a fair amount of micro chipping on an edge, I will first go back to the finishing hone and just do 10 no pressure X strokes on water. If that doesn't work, then slurry to water. If that doesn't work, then to the 8K and so on. You can vary your stones and see if there is any different results as well. The light circles followed by no pressure X strokes is also a good recommendation. If the micro chipping continues and keeps coming up in different areas, I might then go back to a bevel set to see if it's the razor.

Have fun,

Lynn