Thread: Can You Get A Straight Razor Too Sharp?

did you strop it after the film?

After 1u film I lapped it 30 or so times with 5 micron chromium oxide and then 60 laps on leather strop, maybe I shouldn't have used c/o as this would make it duller? I checked the razor after I used c/o and it felt sharper. There are so many ways to sharpen a razor that sometimes it is really hard to know what to do, I guess what ever works is the best.

There is so much you left out..

What kind of razor Make, Grind, edge profile
Hone wear

You also complicated the entire process by using two finishers

Drop the film use the PHIG and see if that doesn't fix the issue

Length of the CrOx strop ??? type of CrOx???

Most people use about 7-10 laps on the average 16 inch strop, after using either the PHIG or the Film using both might have taken the edge too far..

There is Correct honing and Incorrect honing everything basically falls into those two descriptions..


PHIG = Peoples Home of Indeterminate Grit they probably are not really 12k

Depending on your answers perhaps we can guide you a bit more

From what you have so far my recommendation would be to strop carefully 100 times on leather and try another shave and then see what the edge looks like under magnification...

Well, this answer has nothing to do with experience because I have very little with SR's but...I could see a very sharp razor having a fragile edge that folds or bends during a tough shave...is that possible?

Originally Posted by Creox

Well, this answer has nothing to do with experience because I have very little with SR's but...I could see a very sharp razor having a fragile edge that folds or bends during a tough shave...is that possible?

Sure it's possible & that falls into the incorrectly honed category that Glen has mentioned above..

We need to define sharp. The blade can be polished to as high a degree as possible with no detrimental effect, but to acute of an angle can leave the edge unsupported and it will quickly crumble. The hardness of the steel, and how large a grain structure it has, and what its cutting, are the limiting factors. So yes, a tool can be to sharp for its intended purpose. That however is not, IMO, your issue.

An edge formed from two totally flat plains, with no secondary bevel, be it from honing or stropping, acts as a wedge and will tend to dig into the material it is cutting. Think woodworking chisel vs a knife blade. The more resistance you have to the edge, the larger the effect. A thick beard offers more resistance then a thin beard, all I'm just saying a bit of secondary bevel, and I'm talking very little, will IMO, give a smoother shave and be less likely to dig into your face, all other things being equal. I have no idea if this issue effected your shave, but it may be something to consider.

The more likely culprit is approaching your face with the blade at the wrong angle.

First of all thanks for the reply, the razor I finished twice on was a wade and butcher and you are exactly right it dug in and bogged down on a WTG stroke. When it did this I pulled out a gold dollar that I reworked and did not use 1u film on and it gave a good smooth shave with no problem. In the future I will only finish on one or the other, 1u film or the 12k and slurry and see what happens. I am so thankful for the help as a newbe just learning to hone I need all the help I can get. I will keep you all posted of my outcome.

That is a good test anyway, you can mess with both after you figure out how to get them dialed using one or the other, also keep in mind some razors just react better to different finishers.. So does your beard and face, figuring out the slight tweaks that fit the razor to your face is actually one of the advantages of using a SR it allows you to custom fit the shave... According to me that is better than half the fun
Keep messing with them until it clicks for you..

I love challenges and I will figure this one out sooner or later, In the mean time I am having fun. I just won a straight from the bay, a new, one of a kind Damascus blade with olive wood scales, it is a beautiful razor, will post some pics when I get it.

Got picture off bay,