So I got the modular paddle - a thing of great beauty, quality and functionallity.
I have 3 wool felts, with 1.0 micron, 0.5 micron and 0.25 micron diamond spray on them,
How many strokes do you recommend for each felt?
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So I got the modular paddle - a thing of great beauty, quality and functionallity.
I have 3 wool felts, with 1.0 micron, 0.5 micron and 0.25 micron diamond spray on them,
How many strokes do you recommend for each felt?
I dont have the 1m or the 0.25m sprays, but I when finish honing all I do is 10 strokes on the 0.5m diamond spray on denim, and 5 strokes on CrOx.
From what I've read and experienced with my razors, these pastes seem to work better with fewer strokes rather than more, so only do a few strokes on each. Then strop and test shave. If that doesnt do it, then do a few more strokes and retest.
If I do too many strokes on the diamond, do I need to go back to the hone again?Quote:
Originally Posted by Stubear
These sprays are abrasive, so it is possible to dull an edge with too many strokes. If you do too many strokes and overhone (for want of a better word! :)) then you'll need to go back to the hones and resharpen the blade.
You'll be able to tell because when you test shave, the razor will pull or be uncomfortable to use, or simply wont remove the bristles well.
These sprays are literally just the final polish at the end of the honing to give that really smooth edge that will mean a great shave. As Lynn says, less strokes is better..! :)
Pastor,
It is possible to ruin an edge with 0.5 micron diamond. I have done it :(
I over applied the spray on a felt paddle and it swelled up in the middle.
I gave my Genco Fluid Steel 20 laps (no X strokes) on this, and the 'hump' in the strop removed enough steel in the middle of the blade to ruin the edge. Had to get the Genco re-honed !
When they work, these sprays work well, though I still do some laps on a CrOx paddle afterwards, as the edge is a little harsh for me straight off the diamond.
Have fun !
Best regards
Russ
I use SRD's .50 Diamond Spray on wool felt and on an old NOS Linen Strop. I rotate them. I do 10 strokes, one time per razor. I use a Barber's hone too. This keeps me from honing for some time...Repeated use of any paste or spray can eventually dull the edge, and you'll need to hit the rocks....
In my experience when using felt with diamond, the blade becomes sharp very quickly, after a small number of passes. And, it moves past that sweet spot quickly also, becoming duller. The trick is to catch it at that sweet spot and move to the strop.
I use the HHT extensively now to tell me when to move from felt with diamond to the strop. It took a lot of experimentation to calibrate the behavior of my hair during the HHT with a finally sweet shaving blade. But, after some time, I knew that when my hair vibrated/cut in a particular way, it was time to move to the leather strop.
I feel that adding the HHT for me, calibrated by the shave test initially, saves me much time. And, improves the final product... the shaving edge.
So number of strokes? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by LarryAndro
Giving a number of passes is appropriate, because it gives someone new a ballpark idea. And, I will tell you my average number of passes on felt with diamond, even though my number might not be the right number for anyone else.Quote:
Originally Posted by The_Pastor
My average is about 8-10 passes. BUT....
* My felt pad is about 7 inches long.
* I use 0.25 micron diamond spray.
* I respray the felt pad lightly after every few razors and set it aside to dry.
* My passes are very light, X patterns mostly.
There are a lot of variables above! Change any of them and the number of passes will change also. So, my "apples" require about 8-10 passes, while your "oranges" setup might require 5, or 15 passes.
That is why I hesitate when saying how many passes. In my opinion, whether the HHT is used or the TPT or just an inner sixth sense, something else is needed other than a certain number of passes.
Start at 5 and never go over 20, you should hit a sweet spot in there someplace, that is just my general rule of thumb with pastes/spray
Also you might want to read this thread
http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...xperiment.html
This is a little tough to answer. i think the best way someone will answer to your questions is
Depends?
what i mean depends in which state your razor is in before moving to diamond pastes.
if you are in final finishing stage then you will need very minimum strokes.
( what grit diamond pastes are you using will affect the number of strokes too?).
This is the reason i think the best will be as Glen mention early- make 3-5 strokes check the edge then go head again 3-5 and so on? in this case you may stop on time. gl
I'm a 60 day Newb that just got a hold of a diamond & CrOx strop-
Its 9 inches of each.
I hit the diamond maybe 8 passes and then perhaps a dozen onthe CrOx then strop before a shave and its been rather remarkable.
Viewed under a 10x lighted loupe the edge has very very few lines anymore- much more like a mirror than when it just comes off an 8K.
However, the bevel itself has not changed- still more at one end than the other on Opposite ends of the blade !!!!!!!! very Newb like (cough):confused:
So obviously I am did something real wrong in the beginning with the stones and I think I know- I would "guide" the blade on the stone with one finger from my left hand on the blade- I will learn.