Thread: Felt + Diamond spray = Ruined my edge!

I'm with the bad technique gang here. .5 diamond isn't going to do any damage to your edge with the number of laps you did but if you did it improperly that's a different story.

Hi guys,
Thanks for your answer. I'm in my second year of straight shaving and I don't think my stropping technique is the problem, I never lifted the spine or put much pressure when I strop. Also, I already honed my razor at least 3 times (Norton 4k, 8k, Chinese stone) and then I was using my filly strop to get a very nice edge which passed the HHT and shave test.
Now, I just re-honed my razor and avoid using the felt with diamond spray. I directly goes to the Bridle, starting with about 50 laps, then another 50 then another 50... The result is that I'm still not able to get a nice edge at all. Unfortunately, my filly strop is now pasted so I cannot strop on it anymore to compare with the bridle. ;-(
So I'm now wondering if the bridle is as good than what I expected??!! Why with the filly I got nice edge which passes the HHT and now with the bridle I'm not able anymore.
The bridle has HUGE amount of draw compare to my filly, could it be the cause of having problem getting very sharp edge?

Should I try 50 laps on the webbed and then 100+ laps on the bridle???

Thanks for advice.

Another vote for possibly too much pressure on the felt/diamond. Could've been lifting the spine but could've been too much pressure too. If and when I use my felt/0.5 diamond it is 10 laps light and fast. Hope you get it back to shaving well.

Originally Posted by pdube1

The bridle has HUGE amount of draw compare to my filly, could it be the cause of having problem getting very sharp edge?

So are you really sure the "HUGE" amount of draw is not making you use extra pressure ??

Originally Posted by pdube1

So I'm now wondering if the bridle is as good than what I expected??!! Why with the filly I got nice edge which passes the HHT and now with the bridle I'm not able anymore.

Mine is not yet fully broken in (ie it is still developing more draw), but it has already replaced my Premium I as my daily strop. I can assure you that the strop is not the problem. Too much spray on the felt may be, though. Those bubbles can be evil.

Originally Posted by pdube1

The bridle has HUGE amount of draw compare to my filly, could it be the cause of having problem getting very sharp edge?

Should I try 50 laps on the webbed and then 100+ laps on the bridle???

No. And 100+ is really not that much.

Good luck,
Robin

Wow, Hope it works out for you-
You have a lot more experience than I do on the hones but
I had read one could put too much diamond on the felt. Read if done right one might see dust on the blade.
I was real careful to only spray it lightly, dry and repeat twice-
I had never heard or seen bubbles.
Max I have used mine is 6 passes after maybe a week or so of shaving and rarely see any dust on the blade. Probably didn't need to use it as often as I did so I will slow down.
I have a cheap blade I am going to get better at honing
then take it to the diamond, then CrOx, then strop and see if
I made any progress whatsoever-

+1 for Oldfalguy's advice with the diamond spray. When spraying the felt, don't try to make it soaking wet, just slightly dampen it.

Remember--a little diamond spray goes a long way.

I agree with Glen. You'd be hard pressed to wreck your edge on 15 strokes on diamond unless there was a huge amount of pressure used, way too much paste on the strop or you lifted the spine whilst stropping.

If its only slightly dulled, you may be able to strop your way back to a good edge. Try doing 60 or 70 laps on leather and see if that brings the edge back. If that doesnt do it, you may need to go to a hone.

Originally Posted by pdube1

Hi guys,
So I'm now wondering if the bridle is as good than what I expected??!! Why with the filly I got nice edge which passes the HHT and now with the bridle I'm not able anymore.
The bridle has HUGE amount of draw compare to my filly, could it be the cause of having problem getting very sharp edge?

Should I try 50 laps on the webbed and then 100+ laps on the bridle???

Thanks for advice.

1. Don't blame the bridle It's one of those strops that sets a new standard for quality, and the Filly... It's not bad, but you get what you pay for (No offense to Ken. His higher end strops are fantastic)
2. DO NOT USE THE HHT TO JUDGE SHARPNESS. I can't tell you how many times I see this. "So-and-so can't hone for beans. This razor didn't pass the HHT!!111!!" No offense, I may be overreacting in your case, but it really grinds my gears. The HHT is a parlor trick. Once you get better at honing and stropping, you can use it for an assessment some times, but it's never an actual measure of sharpness... Hell, some guys here have the sharpest razors possible, yet, because of the quality of their hair, the HHT doesn't work. And some guys -like me- aren't the best honers but have great hair for the HHT... I can split a hair off of the 8k and a fabric strop. It's just not a good measurement.
3. You said you didn't have any problems until you tried the diamond paste... So I'm going to tell you that the problem most likely isn't the bridle, but the diamond and, moreover, your technique. Too much pressure? Maybe... I happen to like a very very small amount of pressure when I strop. Bad stropping angle? Most likely. Lifting the spine as you strop? Also likely.
4. I'd suggest trying 100 laps on the webbed fabric (start slow so you can make sure the technique is solid) followed by 150-200 laps of bridle... It may seem a lot, but, even if the edge doesn't improve, your technique will.

Good Luck. It may seem daunting, but it happens to us all. Now's your chance to pull out the win

Cheers,
Jeremy


Edit: I can't count... 4 comes after 3... not 5.

this is good - haven't yet got to the diamond spray (am planning to with the modular strop) but this has given me an insight into what to look out for and how important technique is. thank you and hope the edge sorts itself out with the laps that jeremy suggested.