Thread: Scratches left on razor after honing

Just got done honing a razor I just restored... When I took it off the 1 k there were scratches left behind on the razor ... So then took it to the norton 4/8 .. Still scratches on the razor... Even after stropping.. So I polished it again made the scratches less noticeable but still there.. I taped the spine...how do I avoid leaving these scratches behind?

Using undue pressure on the 1K is probably the culprit, and it is unlikely that the scratches can be removed without additionally abusing the razor on the 4K and 8K. In the end, it doesn't really matter. The purpose of honing is to make the razor shave ready, not to get rid of any residual scratches. They won't affect the shave. Next time out, tread more lightly at the 1K stage. Additional laps will work just as well as pressure did.

If your talking about the blade, did you round off (chamfer) the edges of your hone?
Maybe your hitting it on the edge of the hone, as you complete a stroke.

Originally Posted by Airportcopper

Just got done honing a razor I just restored... When I took it off the 1 k there were scratches left behind on the razor ... So then took it to the norton 4/8 .. Still scratches on the razor... Even after stropping.. So I polished it again made the scratches less noticeable but still there.. I taped the spine...how do I avoid leaving these scratches behind?

If the scratches are on the body you miscued some strokes & the blade touched the stone unsupported by the spine.

Probably what happened.. i was pretty aggressive with it on.1k.. but it shaves wonderfully

airportcopper,

Scratches on razor, nicks on strop & nicks on face - these are the 'dueling' scars that rightly or wrongly are part of the rite-of-passage for a lot of us in the world of straight razor shaving

They all tell a story

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

I try to get the scratches out as much as possible. I do lots of circles at various stages to eliminate them. Scratches on the bevel go to the edge and I find since I started paying attention to them I get a smoother shave. Im no honemeister but it makes sense to me.

If you are talking about fine scratches on the bevel after honing, try "honing" on a sheet of glass with water, as a final step. At the end, use stabbing motions, at right angles to the normal direction of the scratches. Burnishing the edge like this can bring you up another small step in sharpness, too. Then, if you want to keep that look, don't press too hard in stropping, because pushing hard on the strop will bring them back.

Scratches on the Bevel:

If you read on the forum you are going to find that people brag about some really smooth shaving edges, mostly these posts are about 3 types of stones being used
1. J-nats
2. Coticule
3. Escher
(no particular order)


All three of these stones leave Scratches or a Hazy finish on the bevel...

Even if you use techniques to eliminate scratches to a near perfect mirror bevel that does NOT means you did the edge right, in fact if you start honing with a mirror bevel as your target you will probably end up with a fragile, harsh, edge that will have a rather short life..

If a Mirror bevel is really important to you I would suggest using the Naniwa Super Stones they are some of the best polishers I have found to date, and they are rather gentle on the edge, which means they are rather gentle on the face

BTW as soon as you strop your "Mirror Bevel" is gone

CBN will really get a nice polished bevel without tearing up the edge if you use it right and don't over do it, doesn't mean you will like the shave but it is pretty gentle so the chances are better..

Hone toward a smooth comfortable shave,,,

Hey Glen
It actually left scratches on the blade l? I believe because i may have lifted off the stone..