Thread: AAAGGGGHHHH - I may have hit the wall

I have had really pleasant success honing my razors, except for my most expensive one. I have a Mastro Livi Bergamo damascus that I was getting good shaves with, but noticed a small microchip in the toe, so, being OCD, I decided to hone. I went to 1000 and used one layer of tape, went through the progression of stones and finished on a Jnat, but the edge was not there. I went all the way back to setting the bevel, ran through all the progressions again (5K, 10K chosera, gnat with majero to clear water, tomo to clear) thumb pad test felt great and shave was great - almost. My purest test of razor is against the grain on my upper lip. I have coarse hair, and the grain is decidedly downward. Any blade that can shave smoothly and close there is the holy grail for me.

The Livi did all areas and passes well until this last test. Any suggestions as to how to get the last little bit? Another layer of tape? Back to mid grit? All the way back to bevel set?

First of all, you don't even look old enough to shave.

Second, I'd send it off. A Livi is not a razor to experiment on.

Hard to say without seeing the razor but you could try this.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...tml#post903313

I wouldn't go all the way back to bevel set, well, not at first.
I'd probably go to about 8-10K and work on that a bit more.
Since you are using the Chosera 10K, as do I, I'd treat that as a final sharpener/polisher more than a finisher.
With that I mean that it does leave some scratches, and you might wanna do some 20-30 more strokes with absolutely no pressure at all to get the utmost out of it.
That might help when moving further up the finishing stages.

I do recall being a bit unsatisfied with the 10K stone until I changed my perception of it.
Viewing it more as a sharpener/prepolisher I was able to get more out of it, and the subsequent progression was better. For me

Originally Posted by ace

First of all, you don't even look old enough to shave.

Second, I'd send it off. A Livi is not a razor to experiment on.

My picture is a testament to the benefits of straight razor shaving!

Sorry I can't help as I am still working on my skills. +1 to what Birnando said though. The reason I am replying is that I had to laugh because I use the same standard of smooth against the grain on the moustache area. I have been successful so far but only have a Norton 4/8k and a pasted strop. Oddly enough it seems to work well...Good luck and have fun!

UPDATE:

I received a shipment of nagura set from Max last evening and decided it was an omen, so, I got out the Jnat, went through a very light progression with the botan, tenjou, mejiro and tomonagura. I used just a light slurry on each and did a combo of very light x strokes and circles until almost dry on the last 2 sets. My shave with the blade this morning was excellent. Thanks for the help.

Originally Posted by ace

First of all, you don't even look old enough to shave.

Second, I'd send it off. A Livi is not a razor to experiment on.

That's the problem with honing: you hate to do anything that's potentially at the razor's expense.

Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun

That's the problem with honing: you hate to do anything that's potentially at the razor's expense.

You and ace are absolutely correct. I didn't feel I was jeopardizing the razor, but was only willing to go so far before sending it out. However, life is short and I am old....(and a bit compulsive)