Thread: Having issues keeping Boker Edelweiss sharp

I'm having a lot of trouble keeping my Boker Edelweiss sharp and smooth for more than a shave or two. I've touched it up on the 8k side of my Norton twice now, and gotten great shaves off of it. Then the next shave is rough, and while it doesn't pull, it doesn't cut smoothly either. I have 2 other razors in my rotation, a Wolfertz and an AJ Jordan.

I need to find what part of this whole process I'm messing up, and here are my thoughts:

1. I'm not honing properly on the 8k.

2. I'm stropping poorly.


I've said in numerous posts that I'm uncomfortable stropping this particular razor. I made an adjustment while I was stropping it today, and instead of stropping with the strop parallel to the floor, I lowered my hand and titled the strop to the floor. It was a significantly more comfortable and smooth strop. Right now, I'm thinking the stropping is the issue.

My plan is to give it another go on the 8k this weekend and see if this altered stropping technique allows me to keep the edge smooth. When I use the 8k to freshen the edge, I've been doing 40 or so x-strokes with little-to-no pressure and clear water (no slurry). Then I do about 3 or 4 backwards (stropping) strokes, followed by 75-100 laps on linen. Could this progression be the issue too?

I'd have to say your stropping is the culprit. I'd recommend going at it slow and steady.

Prob stropping, but remove the stropping honing strokes next. It could be the culprit too.

I agree with AFDavis. Although, I'd do it the other way around.

Remove the backward honing strokes first. Those strokes are used to remove a burr, and IIRC, Glen uses them on his 30k shapton. I could be wrong about that though.

I've tested the back honing strokes to finish and edge, and to this date I've not had any results that I would deem even close to acceptable. I continue to hone with a forward/cutting motion. Especially at the 8K level.

Originally Posted by Maxi

I've tested the back honing strokes to finish an edge, and to this date I've not had any results that I would deem even close to acceptable. I continue to hone with a forward/cutting motion. Especially at the 8K level.

Absolutely!

Don't do any spine leading laps as a finishing stroke, stick with the tried-and-true edge leading. I think you'll find a difference right away.

Im no pro lol but it does also sound to me like it could be a stropping issue.

Hi gs, i hope you understand my post was not against you or your recommendations. I merely wanted to encourage the op to find his own way of honing, ie what he is comfortable with. You made it clear that you have specific and as a compliment to your experience very good recommendations for beginners. But as a part of the learning experience that is honing and shaving it can be advantageous to see what others do, learn or make mistakes. But the most important thing is, I was pointing out that he did not damage his blade permanently just because of backhoning. It seemed he thought that way

Honestly That is not what I read,,,

I read "Do whatever feels good to ya it makes no real difference"

So let's chalk it up to ""Internet Language"" mis-interpetation because I have always thought very highly of your knowledge and that post made me do a Huh????

I can easily see why my original post could have been misread. In addition to the "internet language" -issue I am from Germany and english is not my native language.
Trust me, if we met in person you would not even understand a word I say

Vorsicht Leslemming! Beinahe alle Hollaender sprechen und/oder verstehen Deutsch.
(Watch out Leslemming! Almost all Dutchmen speak and/or understand German).