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