Thread: Can you guys help me out?

Hey! Question for you guys... I just honed my straight razor and shaved w/ it.... i got the closest shave I have ever had w/ a straight but had several weepers. Is this because I am holding it at too steep of an angle or because I honed it to too low of a micron grit? I would think it was the former but wanted your opinion. I did 3 passes... WTG, XTG, and against the grain. It was very smooth until going against the grain... that's when I got the weepers. I will say that I haven't shaved w/ it in a while so my face probably needs to toughen up again. I did prep w/ hot water for severral minutes in the shower before and lathered up properly.

I honed it using 3m lapping films down to .3um and then went to a .125 CBN strop. I alternated directions down to the .3um lapping film (i.e. 10k choseras, 1um film, .3um film) and then stayed with the same direction when I hit the strop. Any input is appreciated!

I would try lightening up on your shaving pressure first thing and see if the weepers still appear. I have had razors give a harsher shave when dropping below .5 micron, but usually just lap or two on chromium oxide will take that harshness away.

have fun.

Same here. I get some harshness when I go to .25 diamond. I also mellow it out with some Crox. You may just have to figure out what works best for you via trial and error.
Try holding the razor with a lighter grip, let it flex between your fingers if it needs to, never force it. I've never used lapping film, so I can't really comment on that.

My guess is if it was a close comfortable shave until you went ATG it's a technique issue. Usually when the razor shaves close but is harsh it's harsh all the time. Like Lynn says adjust your pressure and then play with the angle.

thanks will do! greatly appreciate everyone's help...

Even professional barbers would sometimes cause "weepers" or small nicks. That's why someone invented the styptic pencil! Everyone's skin is different and some are more delicate, prone to irritation. Of course going against the grain will greatly increase the chance of irritating the skin and also causing bleeders.

A couple more thoughts....

1. Sometimes a honed edge needs a couple shaves to settle in. That may be the case with this razor.

2. You could try stropping on leather before your ATG pass.

Whatever you do try to work on one variable at a time to avoid false positives.

Dare we say anything about the metal resting between the honing; the stropping and the shave?
It needs time to right itself!