Thread: Stropping Sharpness vs. Honemeister Sharpness

Thanx again guys! I actually have the shaving bit down-it's the mnt. that's killing me! Bob-you are so correct-a quality straight shave is a whole lot of bits coming together. BlueDun, you are correct about the shave being the judge.Mdarnton,I cannot argue with your logic, although safety razors are a breeze by comparison.
Just have to keep slugging along, I guess. Thanx again all. Great forum-Gearhead

I'm with bobh on what he said about backing up by steps. I just honed my 48 rolls because I saw a small curl on the edge. I only went back to the naniwa 12k. That was all it took to remove the curl. It did however take a couple of shaves and stropping to restore smoothness to the shave. This seems to be pretty normal. Someday I would like to experience a Lynn quality hone. And compare the just honed edge to what I am doing. Sigh, if I could only talk myself into parting with any of my razors for a couple of weeks.

Dave

20 strokes on Crox is too much to ever do at one time. Ofc, you knew I was going to say that.

And to back up what others have said. Don't use the thumbnail test on a shave ready razor. You more than likely ruined the edge you had. That's a 1000 grit bevel check type of test. Not a super fine 12k grit shaving test.

A razor, properly stropped, should last a minimum of 3 months of daily shaving before it needs ANY sort of stone work or Crox. And even then it should only need maybe ten or less on a 12k to come back to a perfect shave for you. I know you like that Crox, which is why I told you earlier that you could use it at a maximum of once per week, IF YOU MUST. But it's not a maintenance tool. I regard it as a ONE TIME ONLY, icing on the cake type of thing. I don't suggest it for maintenance. Others do. But it's not giving you what you want, so maybe try something different. Like..not using it, or using it like I suggested. 5-10 strokes max. Now ofc, keep in mind that it's too late for the two razors you are now talking about. They probably need stone work. Try 10 at 8k and 8 at 12k, then strop on linen and leather(forego the crox). Then shave it. See what happens. Better? Worse? The same? 40 at 4k, 10 at 8k, 8 at 12k, strop linen, leather, shave. Put the crox away for awhile and see what happens without it. Make it's use mean something to you. If the razor holds it's edge longer without, well, that tells you something. It doesn't seem to be helping you to use it, so try NOT using it, and see how that goes. Just some things to consider.



Good luck!

Dear Regular Joe and GotLead-Thank you for the excellent feedback! Shaved today with my Hamburg Ring and realized that it was too dull to shave with. Switched to my Cowboy and got a good shave! Going to take the Hamburg Ring to the 12K and see what happens. Was not going to use electrical tape with such few passes. Will keep you all updated-Gearhead

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

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.