Thread: The C-Nat-athon

Originally Posted by mjhammer

Well, This thread has taught me something that will stick with me for a while now.

I tried as we discussed earlier to re-use as much of my old slurry as possible, and I managed to do a pretty good job of it.

So, today I tackled what I consider to be my finest restoration job ever, one I never managed to do better than. I have a few that I came close on, but my Genco came out so nice that it is my standard by which all my other restorations are to be judged against. Not many stack up to it.

I got brave after all this honing practice and decided it was time for her to get back into my rotation, so today I honed it up.

I only had to do 75 laps on my CNat after the 4/8 pyramid and the entire length of the edge was as good as any I have ever done. I did my customary 5 & 10 on the diamond/CrOx paddles, then I tried something different and only did 25 on the clean felt, but I did 100 on my horsehide strop and 100 on my chestnut cowhide strop.

The shave was amazing! I have been faceturbating for the last 6 hours since I shaved.

I think I have a good repeatable routine to do nice and flat, non-smiling edges with. It's still the rolling X's and the curvy ones that will continue to give me grief.



Happy Honing!!

Mike

Hey Hammer!

I hope that my 'system' was of some help! I can't tell you how pleased I am that you are progressing and now actually enjoying honing! This is far different from when we were emailing just a month or so ago! When you get to that Bokla let me know! As I recall, you actually cursed me when you tried my edge, saying that I'd set a standard that you didn't think that you could achieve! My friend! I have no doubts that you will far surpass my edge!!

Gute Rasur /glatte Rasur, mein Bruder der Klinge

(Smooth Shaving My Brother In Blades)

Roy

Originally Posted by cudarunner

Hey Hammer!

I hope that my 'system' was of some help! I can't tell you how pleased I am that you are progressing and now actually enjoying honing! This is far different from when we were emailing just a month or so ago! When you get to that Bokla let me know! As I recall, you actually cursed me when you tried my edge, saying that I'd set a standard that you didn't think that you could achieve! My friend! I have no doubts that you will far surpass my edge!!

Gute Rasur /glatte Rasur, mein Bruder der Klinge

(Smooth Shaving My Brother In Blades)

Roy

HI Bro!! And indeed, it was my first real success, using your method from bevel to final stropping that actually got me a real shave off one of my own, without it just being a lucky try that is. It was probably the first time I ever got a good bevel off the 1k. Other than that, most had come off the 4k. I actually had a couple of the small wedges do ok during JaNorton, but after that I was still not having good results. My face was telling me something was not right!!

Ya, just about a month ago, I wasn't getting good bevel's on anything I tried. You gave me a decent starting point to work from, and work it did indeed.

I don't think I'll ever have to hone that Bockla ever again, hehehe. She still shaves amazingly. I use her very sparingly so I don't ruin the edge on it! LOL. I actually use that one when my face is hurting from trying to shave with sub par razors. It's never let me down yet!

This thread got me experimenting with my CNat to the point where I can now take those edges just a step up from where you got me too. I think (emphasize 'think') I've gotten a pretty good routine of my own happening. More practice is required!! Always, more practice!! heheheh.

Thanks again Roy!!

M

I did some honing last night, and I learned a few things about my PHIG in the process. The razor had previously been honed on my Nortons and then finished on my coticule. The shave was great, but the blade wasn't quite as sharp as I would have liked it to be. I contemplated going back to the coticule for a few more laps, but I pulled out my PHIG instead.

I started with a misty slurry and did about 50 x strokes. After looking at the edge under magnification, I could tell it was actually getting worse instead of better. I rinsed the stone and started doing x strokes on just water. After about 100 strokes, I could tell the edge was getting better but it still had a way to go. So, I started doing sets of 40 circles followed by 25 x strokes. Must have done that about five times. Then, I put some VDH lather on my PHIG and did another 150 x strokes. I haven't shaved with it yet, but the results seem promising. Leg hair (I don't have much arm hair left at this point) runs at the sight of the blade. I'll shave with it a little later today and let everyone know how it behaves.

I just finished restoring and re-scaling my Shapleigh 200 that's been sitting around for months.

It looks very nice in slim white German scales, and I managed a really nice peen on it as well. (I've not been the best peener to date, I usually use microfasteners but this time wanted to do it well).

So, I'm going off to the hones this morning to see if I can't repeat my process and see how it responds to the CNat.

I've noticed some blades like the naturals better than others. Since this is my first Shapleigh, I don't know how the edge will respond. This will be another good experiment!

I'll post up some results when I get to shave with it, if I get to shave with it that is.

M

Originally Posted by Martin103

That first picture sure look like a slip stone to me! And the size is right as well!

Forgive my ignorance, but what is a slip stone??

M

Originally Posted by mjhammer

Forgive my ignorance, but what is a slip stone??

M

Slip stones are whetstones like ours but shaped to accommodate for funny shaped edges, like gouges or wood turning tools.

Here is the link to today's razor and shave report:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/shave...tml#post938575

I found it to give a little burn today, but it shaved very well. I ran the CNat out of slurry on this go round and finished on clear water. I kept testing on the arm/leg hair as I went and at first it seemed to get worse after the 4/8 pyramid. I eventually got it back but it took more laps on the CNat to get it to popping hairs like I wanted.

It seemed like a good mornings worth of work today, polishing, disinfecting, rescaling and honing it all in the same day. That's a first for me!!

I may have to take it back to the stones, or maybe just do a whole lot more stropping to get the feel I want. I don't know if it is the razor steel hardness or what, but it didn't act the same as some of my other razors on the hone. It's an american razor, where most of mine are German or English, at least those that I have been working on lately. Even one French one in the mix. Of Course, not counting the Spikes, which are US made as well.

I guess I'll have to tackle a few of them next, my others have big smiles and I just am not competent yet with those Rolling X's. I won't give up though!!

Thanks all!!

M

Thought I'd shoot an update. Haven't been online too much lately but did get a chance to hone again after my first attempt.

Mod feel free to move if wrong place.

First attempt was not total failure since I could shave with it, but whew... rough. Took it back to the hones and started over. Much better results this time.... sort of. Here's the scoop:
Started on king 800, then 4000, then re-lapped my cnat. No dmt so did 320 w/d paper first time but this time started there and stepped up to 500, 1000, 1200 grits. After the 4000 make slurry on cnat nice and thick and slowly worked my way through dilution keeping as much slurry as long as I could. Seemed like better edge but no on the hht. Stropped 100 on leather and went to town. Pleased with shave in comparison with the first razor I got shave ready (Gold Dollar, I know but was sharpened by popular peeps around here sounds like). I did not use paste since I think what was supplied on strop when bought is about done and I haven't gotten more yet. The sahve was 2 passes and pretty darn smooth with very little irritation if any in most places. Was really quite happy with it.

That was the first shave. Next one sucked! Pulled and lots of irritation again. Tooted my horn to quickly I guess. So is it the strop? (little bruised and battered from learning but think I am much better now). Can paste bring me back? Will I have to use paste every other time with this razor (does seem a little thin)? Or still need more honing practice?

So that's some of the questions on my little mind while waiting for the next shave. Anyone have any comments...shoot

Thanks for all who are contributing so much info and experiences.

Steve

handyman,

One thing I did to my CNat was rubbed it good with the 4000, then the 8000 too until it had a super fine slick surface.

I would take it back to the 8k and go up again. It can't hurt to polish it more on the 8. Try NOT going to the CNat and see how the edge is. If it is ok, then try the CNat and see if it improves or gets worse.


I always finish with paste myself, but not between shaves unless it really sucked. But first get it good without it, then use the paste to refresh it.

That's my thoughts at the moment.

Mike

Originally Posted by mjhammer

handyman,

One thing I did to my CNat was rubbed it good with the 4000, then the 8000 too until it had a super fine slick surface.

I would take it back to the 8k and go up again. It can't hurt to polish it more on the 8. Try NOT going to the CNat and see how the edge is. If it is ok, then try the CNat and see if it improves or gets worse.


I always finish with paste myself, but not between shaves unless it really sucked. But first get it good without it, then use the paste to refresh it.

That's my thoughts at the moment.

Mike

Hey Mike!

I've found that I don't 'Prefer' my edges off of a pasted strop! That Bockla of yours was right off of my Naniwa 12k there was no pasted strop, just 50 laps on the Illinois linen, then 50 laps on the #1 SRD cotton, then 100 laps on the Illinois leather and another 100 laps on the #1 SRD Premium leather.

Don't get me wrong here, I'm sure that pasted strops have a purpose and I know that Glen, Lynn and other Pros use them.

I just feel that what I get off of my stones is really what I like!

While I do have a pasted strop, I really don't use it! Even when the mood strikes me and I shave off of the Norton 8k I don't use a pasted strop!