Thread: Problems with maestro Razors?

I have had a small problem with my maestro Damascus razors that has caused me to boot my beauties off my rotation. I hone them on a pasted strop just like the maestro dos and have noticed that after a few shaves (maybe 4) the edge develops small chips. It is almost like the cutting edge is chipping away as I shave or stop. I thought maybe it is a result of the steal he uses but am wandering if anyone else has noticed this tendency in these blades?

Mason

Well, I'm surprised that I'm the first to offer this service, but if you'll package them up neatly and carefully and ship them to me I'll be happy to dispose of them for you. No charge.

I have one Maestro damascus which I've had some time now and its been honed and been to a diamond pasted strop and does not show what you are seeing.

Originally Posted by Ruckeriii

I have had a small problem with my maestro Damascus razors that has caused me to boot my beauties off my rotation. I hone them on a pasted strop just like the maestro dos and have noticed that after a few shaves (maybe 4) the edge develops small chips. It is almost like the cutting edge is chipping away as I shave or stop. I thought maybe it is a result of the steal he uses but am wandering if anyone else has noticed this tendency in these blades?

Mason

Forgive me for saying this Ruckerii, but you seem to have more problems with expensive razors than anybody else on this forum has admitted to!
My advice to you is stick with the cheaper models!

You can try backhoning the blade to remove the wire .
Then hone again as normal this should get rid of the problem.
Ive had this micro chipping on some of my stainless steel knives.
Im not sure why it happens but it is fixable.Paul

isn't a pasted strop doing the same as back honing? What grade of hone are you using for the finish and are you sure you have not left a wire edge on that can be broken off on the pasted strop?

PuFF

Originally Posted by PuFFaH

isn't a pasted strop doing the same as back honing? What grade of hone are you using for the finish and are you sure you have not left a wire edge on that can be broken off on the pasted strop?

PuFF

Negative. Backhoning on a hone and using a pasted strop are two very different things and they give very different results. You can backhone on say an 8K from now to next xmas and you'll never sharpen a razor. The two media work differently.

Ok, you say they are different but the same technique is employed.
So backhoning on a hone won't sharpen a razor, ever. But backhoning on a pasted strop does? I think you will have to spend some time explaining this to me

PuFF

Originally Posted by PuFFaH

Ok, you say they are different but the same technique is employed.
So backhoning on a hone won't sharpen a razor, ever. But backhoning on a pasted strop does? I think you will have to spend some time explaining this to me

PuFF

I was thinking the same thing myself but refrained from posting because I just didn't have your tact PuFFaH!

Tact? who needs tact around here, just speak your mind!

Its not the technique that is doing most of the the job its the media you are using. Of course technique is important in honing and stropping but as far as the sharpening goes the media is doing the work there. Backhoning on a hone is used only to break off a wire edge. If you do it to any extent you will actually undo the honing you accomplished and wind up with a duller razor. With a strop your using leather with media of one kind or another on it and its that media in combination with the leather that is doing the work plus if you strop with a forward motion you will cut the strop up.

If you want any more detailed an explanation maybe Lynn or Tony or one of the honemeisters can explain it some more. I can't. However if you don't believe me get yourself a well honed razor and backhone on a 8K or coticule for 50 or so strokes and then see how sharp it is.