Burnt the stuffing out of my cheeks!

Ok, so here's the story. I sharpened up the Dovo today, gave it the works from bevel setting on the 1K all the way through a 12K slurry stone, then switched to arkies to finish her up. Stropped the stuffing out of it, 100 on CrOx, 50 on the linen side, then 100 on leather. She's definitely sharp! Very close shave but it burnt the unholy Hell out of my cheeks. Which is unusual, when it was dull it was my neck that got the burn and my cheeks handled it pretty well.

Maybe I got too used to it being dull and was using too much pressure and/or too steep an angle?

Welcome to SRP Marshal: It's possible to get a blade too sharp. Crox has a bad reputation for generating coarse uncomfortable shaves. How many passes did you complete with your S.R. Each pass is about beard reduction. Don't try for the BBS on the first pass. If you opened up the spine gap between your S.R. and face your asking for irritation an uncomfortable shave.

I did 2. First with the grain, second was XTG on my face and ATG on the neck. I didn't think I was quite good enough to get it too sharp, but there's a first time for everything I suppose...What would be the solution if that were the case? Take it back to 8k and not try so hard next time? lol.

Do you use any magnification to look at your edges. Lots of scratches on the edge generate and uncomfortable shave. These are cheap and work great for seeing your honing results. 60x Magnifying Magnifier Jeweler Eye Jewelry Loupe Loop LED Light | eBay.

I would try shaving WTG and ACTG. Skip ATG for a few shaves. These two videos helped me develop by S.R. shaving technique.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r24ar_SSGVo

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

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I have 2 Loupes, this one: http://www.amazon.com/Great-Deal-Jew...keywords=loupe

and this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 which is pretty similar to the one you linked.

I made sure the bevel was set along the entire edge, all the scratches from the previous grit were polished out, and the stria were nice and even before moving up a level. Comparing it to the Gold Dollar I honed the other day they look very much the same. That could just be denial though, me not wanting to admit that somehow I got the cheap Chinese junk-razor sharper than the nice German Dovo. I might take it back to the stones tomorrow and try again, just to see what happens. Then I'll do a shave test with it somewhere around Thursday.

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.

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Originally Posted by Euclid440

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

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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

Hey marshal,
you can get sharp edges that are harsh and sharp edges that are more mellow, i don't know the exact mechanics of which is sharper but regardless I would prefer a mellow edge over a harsh edge any day. I have recently started experimenting with pastes and find that the second shave is usually better than the first, with hones I found it to be 3 or 4 shaves in.

I agree with ya edhewitt. I've definitely noticed that it mellows out by the second or third shave.Mellow is definitely preferable.

I think I found the source of the nicks. I went back to the translucent Arkie and used the corner to straighten the edge. Then I ran the blade over it, paying a little more attention to the stroke this time. It was very faint but every now and again I felt it tag something. Had to soap up the stone and wash it off. I have no idea what was on it, but it was tiny and able to ding up the edge. I guess I was moving too quick to notice yesterday. Slow & steady wins the race.

Now I'm willing to wager she's shave ready. I just need my beard to hurry and grow so I can test it.