Thread: Shaves better than it feels

Trying to figure this out...
So..im very new to honing and I feel my edges are getting better on my DMT1200 for bevel setting..and Coti for polishing/finishing...I have a practice razor I have been working on..I have rehoned it twice..yes the same razor..getting better to setting it each time...but my 2nd time around the razor felt dull on one side yet much sharper on the other..I know I didnt use any less pressure on one side..but the duller side shaved very well and smooth..no tug or pull...someone on another forum had commented "thats a characteristic" of a Coti..not all will produce the same edge..hmmm

ST

I don't think it has to do with the hone. If one side is sharper than the other there is a difference between the two sides. Maybe the bevel on one side needs attention or maybe your honing technique is different enough to give different results.

can a razor be sharper on one side than another? isn't the V a vertex where two planes intersect

I think you have a wire edge . On your coti ,try back honing it (hone with the spine leading , as you would if you were stropping) for 3 laps , then hone 10 laps the normal way (edge leading) . Strop it , and see if it shaves properly .

Originally Posted by dave5225

I think you have a wire edge . On your coti ,try back honing it (hone with the spine leading , as you would if you were stropping) for 3 laps , then hone 10 laps the normal way (edge leading) . Strop it , and see if it shaves properly .

+1

A wire edge will feel sharp but the edge will not hold or shave well.
A smooth shaving edge will feel different and by comparison
not as sharp to some people. This is a personal and subjective feel
so keep on exploring and shaving.

An edge that is "pre burr" will often strop up as a great
shaver. A lightly pasted strop or just canvas will often tidy
up the edge straightening the almost burr and leave a good edge.

Hone strokes are interesting... If you watch Lynn's video
on honing with a Norton 4k/8k the circles he uses are a mix of
forward and then back honing. He then finishes with a
very modest number of normal hone strokes. The coti
can work very much the same. Circles with slurry
and as you dilute finish with only normal hone strokes.

Without an electron microscope who knows the details
but when the edge is strop ready, off the strop the shave
is quite good.