Thread: Is there a break in period after honing?

So i just got done honing with the unicot method. My razors are definitely sharp enough to shave with, but they felt very... coarse i guess is the word. They took lasered right through my stubble but it felt like they were a bit rough. like the edge maybe wasn't smooth enough. Should i take them back to the hones? or do i just need to strop them more to smooth out the edge? I already know my technique is lacking a bit but i can get a good shave with my daily shaver. So i'm just kind of wandering if any one notices that your shaves get a bit better after they've been away from the hones for a bit?

I'm not a world class honemeister, but just of the hones and a few strops on leather should be the sharpest your razor gets. Sounds like you are close...be patient and try again.

Many would say that the first shave after the hones is not as nice as subsequent shaves. I don't necessarily think that's the rule, but I have experienced that sensation before. Give it a few shaves to see if stropping makes for a more comfortable edge.

I've had similar experience as well. I started to double my laps on the strop from what I usually do the first time off the hones. Instead of my usual 30 fabric/50 leather, I do 30/100. It seems to smooth it out enough for that first shave.

I'm no expert but I would think that it might help for you to go to a strop impregnated with CrOx or a diamond abrasive. While I don't have much experience honing I would think that you may have reached the limit that that particular stone can provide. You have found it to be plenty sharp but not as "smooth" as you would like. I would imagine a felt strop with a fine abrasive would help you to smooth out the edge given you a more comfortable shave, or you could just strop the hell out of it on regular fabric and leather as that should smooth it out though I imagine the process will take longer.

I do not think you are quite there. Sharp but not smooth is not something you here too often with coticules. I would guess it is sharp enough to remove hair, but not quite shave sharp yet.

I've got two that i'm trying to bring up to snuff. So i'll take one back to the stone and the other i'll hit with some cro ox if i can find it around here, if i can't i'll just go to town with linen and leather. Thanks guys!

I've found the first shave with any newly arrived shave ready razor tends to be a bit harsher than subsequent shaves

A few possibilities here. It could be the first shave phenomenon or it could just need some more work. Sometimes it's easier to hone a razor sharp but getting it comfortable too is an entirely different matter. If that's the case you have to reexamine your entire hone routine.

{QUOTE]Is there a break in period after honing?[/QUOTE]
Yes..
sometimes the edge improves sometimes not.

Originally Posted by Iownagibson

So i just got done honing with the unicot method. My razors are definitely sharp enough to shave with, but they felt very... coarse i guess is the word. They took lasered right through my stubble but it felt like they were a bit rough. like the edge maybe wasn't smooth enough. Should i take them back to the hones? or do i just need to strop them more to smooth out the edge? I already know my technique is lacking a bit but i can get a good shave with my daily shaver. So i'm just kind of wandering if any one notices that your shaves get a bit better after they've been away from the hones for a bit?

unicot method..
That tells me that you are a coti user. You may wish to experiment
with the method. Now that the razor is sharp you have the opportunity
to experiment with how to maintain it. I would lightly rub your coti
and use it like a barber hone with only five to ten strokes. You do
not want to think slurry you want to think rub the tops off the five
biggest garnets that might poke up.

CrOx on balsa or canvas is good. The submicron modern sprays
or a light application of paste can help an edge shave smoother.
Reserve an old or inexpensive strop for this purpose. News
paper, and cotton denim are inexpensive and handy to this end.

Strop smooth -- no pressure. The shave is made or lost on the strop.