Thread: I'm not sure what to say about this.

Essentially the progression is 1k, 6k, then 2 pasted strops newsprint (I find color ink works best), then CR0x - 30k.

Could the progression be better? yup. adequate - likely.

Grinding back and forth with the 1k to reset the bevel. Not exactly sacrilige.


Creating a wire edge then backhoning and drawing it through wood... (overhoned, oops) - This edge will definitely cut hair but it's going to be extremely toothy. It does get you close to the right spot fast at the sacrifice of steel.


If he hadn't overhoned and had instead used a less aggressive progression OR if he had then switched a tradition honing approach after knocking of the edge to clean it up he would be left with a significantly more comfortable shave

I have wire edged a fair number of blades learning not to be heavy handed. The resulting edges when finished as recommended create an edge that definitely cuts hair but doesn't have the edge holding characteristics nor the comfort of a smooth edge polished and ground to match the likes of the steel being sharpened.


With regard to spine, heel, toe wear.... Is a straight razor a consumable to be used up and replaced or is it a piece of art or an heirloom?

If it is simply a consumable tool for cutting facial hair then getting an edge on the tool as quickly as possible seems like the best idea. Oddly this seems far more Western in philosophy than Japanese.

All that said if I used straight razors sharpened using a 6k ground, burr knockoff edge I would have likely quit and gone back to my trusty mach 3 pretty quickly.