Thread: honing through pitting....

Here's a question for you guys...is it essential to hone through the pitting if it's on the edge but not on the apex?

I prefer to get to clean steel always. I have honed some with pitting on the bevel but not close to the edge, the shaves were fine but there is no telling how the quality of shave changes after a bunch of shaves and strop cycles.

What's the apex? The sharp bit? Definitely don't want any pits on that! lol

I also always go for a pit-less bevel area. Have you ever seen those pits under a microscope? I seem to recall someone taking some microscope photos of it once somewhere, but I cannot remember who it was or how long ago now I'm sorry.

Rightly or wrongly, I think of pitting as rotting flesh and I do not want that anywhere near the edge that will be shaving my face. The bevel supports the edge, or apex, IMO, so I try to keep it structurally sound. Sometimes you cannot without having to remove far too much metal or even regrinding, but if you are clever about what you buy those situations should be very infrequent.

James.

I have a near wedge with pitting in the bevel (but not to the apex). It looks really ghetto, but shaves well.

YMMV

A quick shave patch test shows that the razor seems fine, but I'll have to be aware the subsequent honings will hone INTO pitting that will have to be cleared up later. Perhaps my main concern is to see how well the edge holds up during a shave and see if it begins to chip and deteriorate after a couple shaves.

Originally Posted by red96ta

A quick shave patch test shows that the razor seems fine, but I'll have to be aware the subsequent honings will hone INTO pitting that will have to be cleared up later. Perhaps my main concern is to see how well the edge holds up during a shave and see if it begins to chip and deteriorate after a couple shaves.

Right. Watch for these...but don't you pretty much always watch for defects/imperfections? See what I mean?

It depends how much good steel is under the pitting I would think, and that is something you just cannot know for certain.

James.

Originally Posted by unit

Right. Watch for these...but don't you pretty much always watch for defects/imperfections? See what I mean?

It's a good point but you really also have to weigh up the costs and benefits of any action taken at the honing stage. A defect removed is a defect that doesn't need to be watched anymore, and sometimes that has a benefit that outweighs the cost of removing it. Sometimes it doesn't! lol.

James.

i always hone until i get to clean steel i dont like pits on the bevel 2 reasons 1)they will only get worse and 2) bacteria can hide in the pits causing problems for your skin.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

It's a good point but you really also have to weigh up the costs and benefits of any action taken at the honing stage. A defect removed is a defect that doesn't need to be watched anymore, and sometimes that has a benefit that outweighs the cost of removing it. Sometimes it doesn't! lol.

James.

Good point but defects can and do exist below the surface. Just because you cannot see them does not mean they don't exist.

As you point out, sometimes it does/sometimes it doesn't.

It really depends on a few factors...and your needs/wants.