Thread: Its not getting sharp

So, I started shaving with a straight just within the past month. I recently found that my blade was scratching my strop and upon inspection noticed a deformation on the edge where I must have hit it on something. So, I thought I'd try and fix it. I took out a two sided stone I bought from Ace for sharpening kitchen knives and gave it a shot. Well, the defect is gone but I can't get this thing to the sharpness it was upon arrival 'shave-ready'.

I'm wondering what to do next. What is the limiting factor inhibiting the sharp edge; myself or the stone? (probably both?) I suppose I should just take it to someone who knows what they are doing. I'm in Chicago, any suggestions? Thanks for the help.

Both..

Look in the Classifieds or the Vendor Corner and find sombody to fix the damage you have done...

Read read read in the honing forums and the Library about honing and maintenance of straight razors, BTW what brand of razor do you have ???

Hi krkyavan,

I've used my Ace Hardware double-sided silicon carbide stone to hone a razor. I know of one other member who has done so as well. It takes practice to get proficient at honing, both with the stone and especially with the strop so you might want to take it to someone to show you the ropes. There are probably several members in the Chicago area that would be happy to do so; you can check the membership map on the forum. Some may see your post and send you a public or private message. With a little persistence you'll get the hang of it.

Best Wishes,
Jeff

Yes, razors require quite a bit in the way of skills and equipment to get shave ready.

Good luck to you.

You can read in the Library on this site, watch YouTube videos, etc but ultimately you are going to need something with finer grit than what you are describing.

If you only "fixed" a small section of your blade and left the rest alone you could possibly get it shave ready again if you had access to a 8k hone.

Realistically unless you just want to figure out how to do this yourself you probably need to send it to someone. If you want to fix it yourself the cheapest way would be to order a micro film assortment pack for about $15 including shipping on Amazon and use it on a flat piece of glass or tile.

It's more or less like a wet/dry sandpaper.

[QUOTE=gcbryan;1058087]

Originally Posted by gcbryan

You can read in the Library on this site, watch YouTube videos, etc but ultimately you are going to need something with finer grit than what you are describing.

If you want to fix it yourself the cheapest way would be to order a micro film assortment pack

Or just learn to use your strop.

I'd bet that you've damaged the edge with the Ace Hardware hone, and it will need professional attention.

_No_ stone sold for "kitchen knives" is nearly fine enough to hone a straight razor. It will have left scratches in the edge that need to be removed, by somebody who knows what he's doing.

There should be some members in Chicago who qualify.

. Charles

Hold on - are you using the same Ace stone that's in the top right in this picture?



Because if you are... I don't know, but I don't know how guys use that to hone their blades to shave ready status! I am sure they do but I use mine as a bevel setter - pre-Nani 1K.

In spite of me not being able to use it as a finisher - have you checked to see if it's flat? Mine has to go down in the annals of most difficult to lap... ever. Lets just say it had ambitions to be a circle. Kind of makes it hard to learn on.

[QUOTE=JeffR;1058102]

Originally Posted by gcbryan

Or just learn to use your strop.

How does using a strop help fix a blade that he has used a 220 type hone on?

Originally Posted by earcutter

Hold on - are you using the same Ace stone that's in the top right in this picture?



Because if you are... I don't know, but I don't know how guys use that to hone their blades to shave ready status! I am sure they do but I use mine as a bevel setter - pre-Nani 1K.

In spite of me not being able to use it as a finisher - have you checked to see if it's flat? Mine has to go down in the annals of most difficult to lap... ever. Lets just say it had ambitions to be a circle. Kind of makes it hard to learn on.

"had ambitions to be a circle" That cracked me up!! EDIT ... Still laughing at that ... 5 mins later, too tired maybe??

+1 on what Glen said, you really need to use the correct stone type to get your razor sharp enough to shave with and the skills come over time, practice, and understanding.

Today I spent a long time honing a razor that was a real pain in my ... EVERYTHING. In the end I went to a real low grit hone, less than 1K. The edge cut hair because the bevel was set properly. If you want to have a shave that you will enjoy, realistically you need to finish on at least the 8K hone. Correct stropping is as important to that end.

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