Thread: rough edge?

I've been diligently watching Lynn's and Gsixxgun's honing videos and I feel I am getting the feel for a proper honing routine. I am able to set a decent bevel and get a sharp edge that cuts without skipping or pulling. Still, I am getting some skin irritation after those shaves (I normally don't with a professionally honed SR). What part could I be doing wrong?

I set the bevel with a 1k (Lynn's method) followed by polishing it with a 6k then a pyramid with 6k/8k followed with a 12 k finishing stone and a good stropping routine (25 laps on CrOx pasted nylon strop followed by 50 laps on leather).

I was having the same experience until a couple of months ago, and I found that my edges which were sharp but harsh became mellower after a lot more stropping. I now do about 120-150 on linen or a high-draw shell strop, and 100-120 on a low-draw leather after honing, and then 100 on low-draw leather before each of the next few shaves. It's made a lot of difference.

(Also, I don't use crox, but isn't it just used for touching up? and only 10 strokes or so at a time?)

Try lowering the number of strokes on the chromium oxide to between 5-10 with very light pressure and see what happens.

Have fun

Originally Posted by Matt69

I was having the same experience until a couple of months ago, and I found that my edges which were sharp but harsh became mellower after a lot more stropping. I now do about 120-150 on linen or a high-draw shell strop, and 100-120 on a low-draw leather after honing, and then 100 on low-draw leather before each of the next few shaves. It's made a lot of difference.

(Also, I don't use crox, but isn't it just used for touching up? and only 10 strokes or so at a time?)

I agree, more stropping. that's what I would try first so that we don't remove unnecessary metal. But, there is only so much stropping until you realize that you have to go back to the hone- or at least CROX. Have you examined the edge with a magnifying glass or loupe? Sometimes this can tell you what is going on. I would also take a look at the spine to make sure that its even. Is your blade a smiler or frowner? Is it straight? How does it lay down on a flat surface, etc.? Are you assured that your hones are lapped well? If you try this and all else fails try Lynn's circling method and start with 4K then go up. I find it more consistent and forgiving than the pyramid method. My guess is that your bevel is fine and that you just need a bit more sharpening and polishing.

When you hone a razor sharpness and comfort are two qualities that don't automatically go hand and hand. It's what distinguishes someone who can really hone from someone who can't.

Often times some CrO will help in the comfort department however if your honing is leaving a very rough edge you need to review your honing technique so that the finished product is both sharp and smooth.

All of this seems like sound advice. The blade is fine although I have not yet examined it with a loupe.

1holegrouper, if I understand you correctly you only use Lynn's circling method and go up the grit with pressure or without pressure? I am afraid I would be eating up too much metal doing that.

Originally Posted by Razorthin

All of this seems like sound advice. The blade is fine although I have not yet examined it with a loupe.

1holegrouper, if I understand you correctly you only use Lynn's circling method and go up the grit with pressure or without pressure? I am afraid I would be eating up too much metal doing that.

Thanks for asking. I would do as little as possible as well. Like; try just stropping first, then Crox, then 20 circles 8 K no pressure, then 20 circles 4K no pressure, etc. finding out which one got you to where you want to be. You don't want to 'go back to the drawing board' if its unnecessary.

I see little wrong with your procedure but maybe you technique just requires more practice, getting the "Feel" for what your doin', after all in the end decent honing is a small muscle memory game. The more you do the better you will get.
I'm not a great honer by any means but I'm much more confident with a stone under my straights after a couple of years than I was at the start of my getting into the hobby!!