Thread: Stropping Sharpness vs. Honemeister Sharpness

Dear Razorheads-Whipped out the Norton 4K/8K , Naniwa 12 K and DMC D8T-Thankfully,my Cowboy and Dovo are still shaving hair, but the Hamburg Ring and Golden Monkey needed major work! Won't bore you all with the details, but took both down to 4K, then 8 and 12K, followed by 20 on the felt and 60-80 on the Bridle leather. Able to shave hair again, but running out of body hair Learned two important lessons-NO thumbnail test and lighten up on the strop. Before I forget, can you clean up the Naniwa 12K using the DMT D8C? I noticed that it was getting discolored due to metal shavings. Didn't use tape either, as it seems to leave residue on the stones. I realize that this is a volatile topic though-Gearhead

Careful stropping on canvas and leather can *increase* the sharpness of a razor. With practice, grinding with a stone or abrasive polish can become something done only once a year (or two years, or three...).

Seems like a lot of people are forgetting to read the fine print of the TNT. "Use for bevel setting". I know how you feel as there were times when I started I wanted use the test to see if I had dents. Make sure you use the TPT and shave test. It will save you some honing.

Ah, the old "Stropmeister" vs. "Honemeister" thread, eh?

Originally Posted by gearhead222

Dear Razorheads-Whipped out the Norton 4K/8K , Naniwa 12 K and DMC D8T-Thankfully,my Cowboy and Dovo are still shaving hair, but the Hamburg Ring and Golden Monkey needed major work! Won't bore you all with the details, but took both down to 4K, then 8 and 12K, followed by 20 on the felt and 60-80 on the Bridle leather. Able to shave hair again, but running out of body hair Learned two important lessons-NO thumbnail test and lighten up on the strop. Before I forget, can you clean up the Naniwa 12K using the DMT D8C? I noticed that it was getting discolored due to metal shavings. Didn't use tape either, as it seems to leave residue on the stones. I realize that this is a volatile topic though-Gearhead

Yes, the DMT D8C would be excellent at flattening/cleaning the Naniwa 12K. Most honers out there use it for exactly that.

Originally Posted by gearhead222

Dear Razorheads-Whipped out the Norton 4K/8K , Naniwa 12 K and DMC D8T-Thankfully,my Cowboy and Dovo are still shaving hair, but the Hamburg Ring and Golden Monkey needed major work! Won't bore you all with the details, but took both down to 4K, then 8 and 12K, followed by 20 on the felt and 60-80 on the Bridle leather. Able to shave hair again, but running out of body hair Learned two important lessons-NO thumbnail test and lighten up on the strop. Before I forget, can you clean up the Naniwa 12K using the DMT D8C? I noticed that it was getting discolored due to metal shavings. Didn't use tape either, as it seems to leave residue on the stones. I realize that this is a volatile topic though-Gearhead

Reading your original post I just have to say congrats on the '63 falcon. I've had a few of those years ago, various years, and they were great cars. Back to the topic, have you gone to the SRP library and read any of the honing tutorials ? Watch some of Lynn's latest videos and gssixgun has quite a few. I cut my honing teeth with the pyramid method and I think that is a good way to start for a beginning honer. YMMV. The general rule of thumb is that incomplete bevel setting leads to problems in getting adequate sharpness/finishing later in the process.

Using tape is a controversial topic as you've pointed out. I think it is a good idea at least in the learning stages of honing razors. IMHO, if you are leaving a lot of tape residue on your hones you are using too much pressure. At least that is in my experience. Honing razors is a different kettle on fish than knives or tools in terms of pressure. With razors less is more. Keep at it and you'll eventually be achieving the goal.

Stropping should maintain the blade.

You shouldn't have a sudden decrease in shaving performance.

If a razor dulls from use then it's pretty easy to bring it back on a high grit hone. Once a razor edge has some damage from the strop or the hone then it can take a little more work.

My guess is that since they are totally dull, they need a full honing.

A more experienced member might be able to look at one of your razors and give you an idea of what's going on.

I'd be happy to do that, and hone one of your razors free if you want.

Michael

Originally Posted by suits123

Seems like a lot of people are forgetting to read the fine print of the TNT. "Use for bevel setting". I know how you feel as there were times when I started I wanted use the test to see if I had dents. Make sure you use the TPT and shave test. It will save you some honing.

Thats a questionable statement! If you read many old barbers manual they clearly show to test the razors using the TNT. I understand many here claims that it does in fact damage the edge but im not convince that the old timers were wrong to teach this after all. Also nails and hairs are made of the same material? something to think about?

Martin, you make a good point. I'll do a TNT prior to my shave today, and measure the result, before I suggest it as a cause of dulling again.

Originally Posted by Martin103

Thats a questionable statement! If you read many old barbers manual they clearly show to test the razors using the TNT. I understand many here claims that it does in fact damage the edge but im not convince that the old timers were wrong to teach this after all. Also nails and hairs are made of the same material? something to think about?

Hmmmm That isn't what that text says,,, It agrees exactly with what we say now...

"It is necessary to test the edge frequently while you hone"


The only real difference is that the Barber's Manual doesn't really differentiate as much as we do between Bevel, Sharpen, Polish, Finish..

It isn't right or wrong it is semantics, but I can tell you without any doubt what so ever that a TNT does dull the fine edge, do your own tests and see, but make sure you calibrate your tests first...

Try it on a DE blade too