Thread: Edge that only lasts a few passes

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.

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.

I had a stuborn razor last week, a 'Newark Electric' that wouldn't hold an edge through a shave.
I tried to re-hone it a couple three times, finally I thought of "Jointing" the edge, with an after shave bottle[glass] before the final finishing, I very gently stroked the edge on the glass one time, you would think it would kill every thing but when I did my final finishing with just plain water and very light strokes and an conservative pyramid and low and behold, I got a great shave and it passed the HHT without a hitch!!!
I thank you all for all the advice over the years, it gives blokes like me the confidence to sit, scratch out heads and work through problems like this one, I thank you all!!!

As I've said before, a BBS for all!!!

tinkersd of SRP