Thread: Edge that only lasts a few passes

I've noticed the "edge doesn't last through the shave" issue on a few new Dovos. As everyone is saying, go back and start over. That has always fixed the issue for me. Lately I have been honing the Dovos on the lower grits for a lot more strokes - when the thumb nail or arm hair tests feel good I just keep going. You gotta treat 'em mean to get 'em keen!!

James.

Originally Posted by Disburden

What Glen is saying is finishing on high grit is moot if theres an issue, you can be wasting your time...

Hi,

Thanks for clarifying. I did come away with that. Very true.

- Mike

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I've noticed the "edge doesn't last through the shave" issue on a few new Dovos. As everyone is saying, go back and start over. That has always fixed the issue for me. Lately I have been honing the Dovos on the lower grits for a lot more strokes - when the thumb nail or arm hair tests feel good I just keep going. You gotta treat 'em mean to get 'em keen!!

James.

Hi,

Boy to do I here you. I must have forgot that part. Should have dropped back to basics.

- Mike

Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun

This is not meant to be derogatory in the least, but it almost makes me feel good that some experienced honing people are experiencing an issue I had with a couple of razors. It really hurts your confidence when you successfully hone a few and then all of a sudden you can't bring one around that "everybody" says shaves like a dream.

The advice I received is pretty much the same as I'm reading here. When in doubt and have tried everything that has worked for you in the past, start over. That's what I ultimately did with two problem razors. One of the two still didn't respond after that. It was a Red Imp, which seems to be universally liked. Finally I bought two balsa strops, one covered with chromium oxide (the green paste) and the other with diamond slurry spray. The seller of those two balsa strops (Ron at Star Shaving) said to do 30-40 laps each with those, then 80-100 laps with the leather. Finally, the Red Imp came around. This morning I sent Ron a thank you email.

I think this is the reason I remain interested in straight shaving and other people think I'm nuts for being excited about such a mundane daily ritual. They use disposables and cartridges and I can understand in that context why they think I'm crazy. Once you feel like you've earned your stripes, a curve ball is thrown at you and you seek resolution from a community of shavers.

Hi,

Thanks. I did not take your comment badly. I get what your saying. Its a learning process and I have to remind myself that what usually works for most razors may not work for the one in hand. One of things I like about this forum is that you always get good feed back from everyone.

- Mike

Hi,

I talked to one of the razor owners and he said his blade was keeping an edge fine. He just stropped it a lot and its been great since.

When I talked to the other guy, I had him send it back. When I received it, the was not keen, I stropped it hard and it keened up. So I decided to just start over at 1000 and work my way back up. When I was done. I test shaved and tested the edge a few times and it is now holding up fine.

It must have been the bevel not being set correctly. I'll have to pay closer attention.

- Mike

I usually just hone one razor, so I don't usually notice the contrast. This last weekend I did 5. 2 different sizes of W&B Bows, a Genco, touched up a Russian, and an old Bismark.

What surprised me was how little the Genco needed and how much I had to do to the Bows.

I think I got my closest shave yet this morning with the 6/8 Bow. The Genco yesterday is a close second.

This is just too much fun. The steady flow of information from Glen and the others just makes my honing get better and better.

I've sold two on the Bay as shave ready. I wish there was a way to get more feedback from the buyers on how they liked the shave. At least I didn't get any complaints.

When I was learning to hone (always learning mind you), it was recommended to me to stop at 8K & strop only about 20x on plain leather & shave test with it. If it shaved well, then take it to a finisher. This really worked well for me. All that stropping with pastes and stuff will hide deficiencies in the edge.

Basically what I am saying is that a razor that shaves good straight off the stones, shaves even better once stropped. If it doesn't shave well off the stones...well, ugly is still ugly no matter how much make-up is applied.

Originally Posted by Crotalus

....I wish there was a way to get more feedback from the buyers on how they liked the shave. At least I didn't get any complaints.

I'd put a big note asking them to email you after their first shave. I have a sheet I include with my razors after honing. It asks them to NOT strop the newly honed razor before their first shave. Shave first then strop as normally would. I've had a few ruin a good edge as they were still learning to strop. They happened to strop before the first shave.

- Mike

Originally Posted by mbrando

I'd put a big note asking them to email you after their first shave. I have a sheet I include with my razors after honing. It asks them to NOT strop the newly honed razor before their first shave. Shave first then strop as normally would. I've had a few ruin a good edge as they were still learning to strop. They happened to strop before the first shave.

- Mike

Good idea. I will start doing this.

I know the thread is pretty much resolved, but I'm wondering what is the reason for moving from a 15k stone through pastes, then back down to a Swaty, which most estimate at <15k. Thanks for your input. I'm a long way from dependable shaving sharp edges it seems, so I'm just looking to make sense of it. I've got a ton of barber hones, Swaty included, and all are pointless after a Norton 8k from my view. Keep in mind the second sentence of course.