Thread: First Time Was a Charm, Second Time - Not so much So ! What Went Wrong ?

So here is the story.

I recently bought a beautiful Fredrick Reynolds razor (circa 1850-60) with nice blond horn scales.

The razor was somewhat sharp but scratched like hell. So I honed it with Lapping Paper. The set I bought (my first) was a cheap one and I suspect not ideal, I have since ordered 3M Lapping films.

Anyway, the set I used has a fiber like backing - not film.

I honed my new razor with the following progression (30 micron, 15 micron, 9 micron, 5 micron, 3 micron, 1 micron) about 100 laps each side. I suspect 30 was not necessary but i figured whatever it did, the 15 micron lapping would clean up so right or wrong i did it.

Anyway.. when I was done with the lapping paper, I stropped the blade on a balsa strop with 1 micron and .3 micron powders.

Finally, the moment of truth... the shave. I was amazed. the razor cut to the skin (and no deeper) and provided the smoothest feel I have ever experienced. It was amazing.

NOW FOR WHAT WENT WRONG: a few nights into my shaving with this blade.. i dropped it and nicked the edge. I could see the smallest chip or bend in the edge.. so I decided to re-hone it. After re-working with the 30 micron, it looked pretty clean.. the chip was gone.. so I worked down through the progression.

Only this time, after stropping.. the shave was not good. The razor did not seem to cut the whiskers well.

Any ideas on what might have gone wrong ? Could it imply be that my lapping paper has lost its bite ?

If you do respond to this.. please let me know if you are guessing or if you are fairly expert on this kind of issue and have personal knowledge & experience !


Thanks,
Allen

you didnt mention of you stropped before or after to test it was still cutting some armhair effortlessly...thats my guess..helps to always check at all 3 points of your razor

i did stop on leather as well/ at leat 50 times each side. this is exactly what I did when I honed th same razor using the lapping film for the first time and got great results. I suspect the lapping Papaer i used is just shot. I dont know if the high or low microm film looses it bite faster but my theory is that the 30 & 15 micron removed the chip just ine but did not give me a good edge and the finer papers did not give me the polish i need to get that smooth feel.

my new lapping fil should arrive within the week, so I will try again and hope for the best.

just wondering..how many uses did you get from your films on your 1 razor...is it hollow ground?..I have never used em before..guess im a "stone" guy..lol

i used them 2 times. but to be fair.. they were not film.. they were lapping paper. I think more appropriate for wood than steel. I am getting 3 M film in the next week or so. i will let you know how that goes.

Allen

Btw. As per your question. The razor i honed is not hallow ground. It looks like a near wedge or a quarter hallow. Very heavy.... i have a full hallow ground and i think i like the heavier blade better. It just seems to slip right across my face and take the beard right to the skin. At least it did before i tried to fixthe blade up i hopefully when the new film comes in i can fix it.

If ur interested i paid 2 bucks per sheet for 9x13the sheets. I figure i can cut each sheet into 3 or 4 sheets depending on wether i want 9to inch or 13a inch sheets. I think it was 25to bucks for 6 to 8to sheets delivered. I can send u the website if u like.


Shana tova!

Your bevel is not set is my guess you need more time on the 30 then work your way up. With the chip you messed up your bevel completely. Not lapping film but paste in this thread that I did but same idea. http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...ugh-guide.html check out the last post you will see I did many more laps then you on a blade with a lighter grind.