Thread: What makes for comfort?

Alan,

I've been following your routine--4K till the razor passes the HHT, 20 8K laps with pressure, then 5 to 10 laps with no pressure. I'm having much better luck with this than with pyramids. I can consistently get a razor to pass the HHT this way, usually on my first try.

You're suggesting that I might need another 20 or so 8K laps to smooth the edge out further?

I've been doing 20 to 30 laps on my 1 micron pasted strop before going to the .5 micron. Do you think I still need some more 8K smoothing though?

Sometimes it seems like the 8K becomes counterproductive past a certain point. Then I have to go back to the 4K for a couple of light strokes.

If the 8K is so beneficial, why do most guys have success with pyramids, which throw the 4K into the mix pretty frequently?

Thanks,
Josh

The pyramids were put together as a "structured method" that new guys could use to get a razor honed to shaving sharpness.
They are certainly not the only or best way. You are now at the point where you are beginning to understand that each razor has its own requirements and that you have to adjust your honing routine accordingl.

What I notice from your posts in this thread was that you are using a lot of different hones and pastes for each razor, .. I think you are overdoing it. Keep the Swaty out of your routine when you are using any other 8k hone. Also try dropping the 1.0 micron and see what happens.

AFDavis also has some good suggestions that you might want to consider but I do think that you are almost overhoning the edge.

Lastly, the sharpness of the edge and the smoothness of the shave are not the same. For a smooth comfortable shave a person really needs to focus on beard prep and shaving technique as much as or more than the sharpness of the edge.

The smoothness of the edge is determined by the steel itself and the abrasives used to hone it. There is no magical best method or abrasive. Use what you have and learn to use it well. Then when you are so inclined try some other methods and tools.

Your on the right track

Randy,

I was using the Swaty because I was having some trouble passing the HHT off of my Norton. Turned out it needed re-lapping, so I'm not using it anymore. Now I get it HHT sharp off the Norton and just go straight to the 1 micron paste.

With my recent discovery about my stropping, I'm feeling like I'm making more progress now. My razors are sharp enough, and I think my shaving technique is coming along, too.

I'm getting there...

Josh