How delicate is my edge?

Since I'm relatively knew to honing, I have yet to build up the necessary muscle memory/technique to feel confident in my honing. This, coupled with the fact that I'm for some reason treating my edge as if it will roll or chip if I breathe too heavy near it, leads to a lot of pussyfooting and timidness when honing, adding both time, and probably some poor technique. Since I'm stating this, I'm aware that I'm likely being overly cautious, but can any tell me in a more confident manner how delicate (or rather how 'strong') a razor's edge is? If I accidentally gently bump it on the corner of my paddle strop or wooden table, do I have to start all over again, or can it take a bump or two on non metal or crystalline objects and be OK? Also, I currently shave with a kamisori - are they any more or less delicate than traditional straights?

Thanks

Pictures of razor and close ups of edge will help evaluate your problem.

The edge (fin) is less then .50 Microns~
It is pretty delicate :(

Buy a well lit loupe

Ebay or Amazon they are about $3

This will REALLY help you out



40x 25 mm Glass Magnifying Magnifier Jeweler Eye Jewelry Loupe Loop W/ LED Light | eBay

Yes you can buy "More Power" if you feel the urge :)

The actual edge is thinner than we can see at 400x. What we do see is the base of the edge, with almost any magnification we can see damage.

If you bump the edge on any hard object, you probably damaged it, how hard the bump will determine how much damage.

You can take a cotton Qtip and gently run the cotton along the edge, from heel to toe and feel any imperfections in the edge, it will snag on any chip.

You will feel a damaged edge as irritation or if a large chip it can draw blood.

The amount of damage will dictate the repair.

+1 the loupe! It will do you more good than anything else starting out. Here's a great example of how helpful it is in diagnosing honing problems.

Thread: Ding near toe... go right to the 1K?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shokunin

If I accidentally gently bump it on the corner of my paddle strop or wooden table, do I have to start all over again, or can it take a bump or two on non metal or crystalline objects and be OK? Also, I currently shave with a kamisori - are they any more or less delicate than traditional straights?

Thanks

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Part of the answer is yes, it is very easy to damage the edge and you need not hit something hard, leather (incorrect stropping) a fingernail, wood etc. are more than capable of damaging the edge. DID it damage the edge? Well, that can only be determined by looking at the edge carefully and here magnification helps as pointed out above. The other responses are correct, an inexpensive loupe is all you need to see any visible damage.

As for the type of razor, such as a kamisori vs western style razor.... I don't think there will be any significant difference, though I have not used/honed a kamisori myself.


Regards

Christian

Yea, when I first started shaving with a straight razor I really did not understand just how delicate the edge was. It seems sometimes you just have to look at them the wrong way for damage to happen. Like everyone else has said, get a cheap loupe to check for damage. It is the best way to see if there is or isn't any damage.

Bob