Thread: Shaving with a 1.2K edge wasn't nearly as bad as i thought it was gonna be.

After reading a thread about shaving off a 1K last year or so, I finally decided to give it a whirl. I have about 220 straights shaves under my belt, honed about 30 razors for myself (while not a lot, i figure it's enough technique on both processes to be able to get it done)

once i figured i was at bevel set point, gave it a good stropping and it went off really well.

i was expecting much harsher and kind of uncomfortable shave. not at all, pretty decent, no pulling, no tugging

i can't find the 1000 edge thread, but an interesting experience.

It makes me wonder when people say "shave-ready" all the range of possibilities that the phrase means.

I see you found the old thread from epd, but like in there I highly suggest you take the time with this same razor and take it up step by step, and shave at each step to see what each hone brings to the table for you..
I promise you an eye opening experience

You will get a very good idea of the stages

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I see you found the old thread from epd, but like in there I highly suggest you take the time with this same razor and take it up step by step, and shave at each step to see what each hone brings to the table for you..
I promise you an eye opening experience

You will get a very good idea of the stages

when you say stages, i interpret that as 1) sharpening 2)polishing and 3) finishing. sound about right?

so i imagine i would get the edge up to 5K for polishing for tomorrow. so bad that it takes at least a day to grow enough beard back from a really nice shave.

Yeppers

Bevel
Sharpen
Polish
Finish

Generally thought of as
1k
4k
8k
10k +

Yeah it takes some time and effort, to do experiments but man it is worth it, they really open your eyes to what is going on with the edge..
I was smiling from ear to ear when epd started that 1k thread, honestly I knew what the outcome was going to be, but I loved reading about their experiences and yours Once you realize that you can shave after a correct bevel set honing becomes pretty easy, it really does fall into that "90% of the work is getting the bevel set correctly" LOL

The next challenge comes in the finishing stage with figuring out about the S M O O T H

Never shaved of a 1K edge but I sure know there is a difference between sharp and sharp and smooth together.

Bob

I believed this is the thread you are refering to: http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...-1k-shave.html

Im going to try this tonight. Im gonna dull one of my razors and start at 1k. This is an awesome idea. This would not knock the bevel off a bit to where I would have to reset it again would it? I would imagine this would be the point in the honing process where it is less delicate than all the others and I would not have too.

Originally Posted by ccase39

Im going to try this tonight. Im gonna dull one of my razors and start at 1k. This is an awesome idea. This would not knock the bevel off a bit to where I would have to reset it again would it? I would imagine this would be the point in the honing process where it is less delicate than all the others and I would not have too.

This is indeed the point where you are setting the bevel. Id say delicate enough, not the most refined but still a bevelled edge.

Also, don't underestimate a good stropping.

As I experienced it, there's less difference in shaving comfort between a well stropped razor with only the bevel done and a well stropped fully honed blade, than the difference between a fully honed blade with and without a good stropping. After honing that is, not necessarily between shaves.

Originally Posted by Pithor

Also, don't underestimate a good stropping.

As I experienced it, there's less difference in shaving comfort between a well stropped razor with only the bevel done and a well stropped fully honed blade, than the difference between a fully honed blade with and without a good stropping. After honing that is, not necessarily between shaves.

i'd think think that a well refined blade without stropping would be noticeable worse than you make it sound.