Thread: Burnt the stuffing out of my cheeks!

Your honing technique appears to be sound. I would try coming off the 12K finishing stone and skipping the Crox. Go directly to your strop for finishing. I have no problem believing you can get your GD as sharp as a Dovo. I own both brand of razors and get great shaves from them.

You over did the CrOx and created a very sharp and jagged blade.
Typically you only need to do at most 10 strops on CrOx. I usually do 5 to 7.
On the bright side, a few passes on the 12k will undo the CrOx.

Same hear,I never go more than 5-7 laps on CroOx.

Well, I saw a few things I didn't like on closer inspection that may take a little more than the 12K to work out. That's why I was thinking about dropping back to 4K. I'll be more careful on the CrOx in the future. I just mimicked what it took to smooth out the Gold Dollar, which I shoulda known was a mistake. It was probably overkill for that razor too, but that one came out pretty good in spite of all that.

Thanks for the videos. Seems like I learn something new in every one I watch. I think a big part of the burn was pointed out in Lynn's video. I know it's supposed to be a 30 degree or smaller angle of attack, but for some odd reason with the 5/8 Dovo it's awfully tempting to roll the blade out further. It's easier for me to estimate the angle of a wider blade on the fly I guess.

Yea, too many laps on the Chrome Oxide, or too much pressure.

Take a Q Tip and lightly drag the cotton along the edge. Any micro-chips will snag.

If your 12K is a Super Stone, it will be all you need to straighten the edge out. Lightly drag the edge on the corner of the stone, lightly.
Then do 10-20 X laps and you should be good to go.

Do not finish with slurry, try plain water, If your 12K is not a Super Stone you most probably will need, way more laps. A lot depends on the face prep of the stone. Chinese stones are not 12K, some are better than others, but I doubt any are 12K, maybe 6-8k tops.

Look at the edge straight down, if you don’t see shinny spots, you’re good. Now do 5-6 light laps on the Chrome Oxide, then clean and do 50 on leather.

If you still have a problem, look at your Chrome Ox strop, it may be contaminated.

Yea, I've heard the Guangxi hones referred to as a Chinese hone of indeterminate grit. I use it solely because now after an excruciating amount of prep, it has finally started creating finer striations than the Norton 8k hone. I don't know that it's a true 12K hone, but it's somewhere between a Norton 8k and a black Arkansas stone, so I've kept it around anyway.

Yea, if you get a good one, they can finish. I have an old one that has been burnished and it does finish nicely.

So are you seeing a lot of chipping, if so you have to figure out why.

I suspect it will get better as it's used, as most naturals do. Time will tell though.

I saw 1 little micro chip, and I think I roughed up the first 3/8 or so of the toe. It doesn't look too bad, but probably to much CrOx like y'all said. I didn't inspect it with the loupe while stropping.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Chinese stones are not 12K, some are better than others, but I doubt any are 12K, maybe 6-8k tops.

I am not sure of the grit as it is impossible to determine on any natural hone but I had a thuringen that came close to my guangxi stone but not quite as sharp. I have also tried edges from others here that finished on eschers that were as smooth but once again not as sharp as my guangxi hone. I gave up trying to find anything better unless I sold my collection for a Japanese hone. I imagine they maybe as good if not better. It all depends on the chunk of stone you get. IMO. That's why when you get a remarkable hone no matter what it's called-HANG ON TO IT!

As far as burning up your cheeks there could be many many factors going on here. Too much of one stone or a paste, need to switch up your technique, not enough work on a finisher to remove scratches creating an uncomfortable shave, ect. You have got a lot of useful tips and leads here to follow. Especially if you can see the edge has problems under magnification. The only thing I will add is that when I use a razor that has taken an incredibly sharp edge I need to be very careful in angle and pressure or I will end up with a bloody rash on my cheeks. This is an easy area for me to shave so I tend to fly through it not taking my time which usually leads to an error. Every razor is a bit different and you have to try different things methodically to learn what is going on. Again, you have got a lot of good info here to try. Keep at it and you'll get it.

Yep, I agree. Just go back to 12k and then do what you do but don't over do the cro ox