How sharp?

M

mdole

Joined
Dec 13, 2009
Messages
237
I've been haunting this corner of the forum a lot lately, so please bear with me! I have a honing set up of the Smith's Tri-hone (coarse, medium (600 grit), and fine stone (1000 grit))...
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and a barber's hone
Screenshot2011-04-17at91936PM.png

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Are these stones sufficient for razor sharpening, or do I need more?
Also, I have an Illinois Strop coming from the 'bay that looks to be in decent shape, but how do I know when to move from the stones to the strop? I can shave arm hair (with some scraping), but what is the test to know when to move to the linen and then the leather? Thanks in advance!

-Matt-
 
Going from a 1000 grit to a barbers hone will take a long time to be able to put a shaving edge on a razor. The usual progression is something like 600 grit (for setting the bevel), a Norton 4k/8k, then a 12k stone, before going to the linen or leather. A barbers hone is usually used to maintain an edge, not obtain one.
 
Dole, Your stones are just fine and with the Illinois stop your getting you'll be set up well. Take your razor to the 600g stone (I'm hoping the bevel is set) for 20-30 passes on each side, then the same on the next finer stone, then the Barbers hone and the same amount on the strop. By then your razor should be ready for shaving. Maintain your razor by stropping only after each shave the same 20-30 strokes on each side. You may go like this for months until you notice the stropping alone does not have your razor shave ready. Then go to the Barbers hone for some work and back to the strop. Keep working at it as there is a learning curve. Good luck, DM
 
I took a razor that I honed and stropped to my leg hair today, and I have a bald spot now...but on my facial hair it just tugged and tugged. Does this indicate a need for more hone time, say at the 1000 and the barber's hone, or simply more strop time to refine the edge? I'm just not convinced that the edge is shaving sharp yet, but I'm not entirely sure how to remedy it.
Thanks,

-Matt-
 
Yes, more time on those three the 1K stone, Barbers hone and strop in that order. Just patiently keep working at it. Once you shave with a razor you sharpened and get a 'good' shave the pride will well up in you. DM
 
Your welcome. I'd add try stropping more like 50-75 strokes on each side of your razor. Let us know how it goes. DM
 
tho its been said before many times face prep can go a long way on how that shave feels

i too think that the 1000-barbers hone is a big step so you might need many more passes on the barbers hone to get the edge smoothed out

other things to think about is that some razors liek a different set of hones
 
I've notice two guys post this now about the Barbers hone being 1K grit. From the OP the tri-hone has the 600 and 1K stones. The Barbers hone I've read is 1200g. Your system should still work. DM
 
I think what Butch was referring to was the jump from the 1000 grit stone to the barber's hone, not calling the barber's hone a 1000 grit stone. I, too, was thinking that was a hefty jump. Personally my progression is 1k, 4k, 8k, 12k, chromium oxide on felt then latigo strop. Not saying that you can't do it some other way, of course you can, I just know that if I were to even skip my 4k stone I'm going to be spending a whole lot more time on my 8k because of it.

I would love to see your setup work, be patient with it and keep testing it out. Like Butch said, prep is essential to a good shave. Good luck!
 
FWIW, I use a 1000 grit Norton waterstone to take out damage and re-set edges. Most of my honing is on the 4000 and 8000 Norton waterstones, followed by a canvas strop with Thiers Issard diamond paste. After all that, it's ready for the leather strop and shaving.

I've tried Belgian coticules and ceramic ultra fines, they just don't get there for me. I also can't skip any of these steps, gotta keep a high polish on the edge. As you have noticed, there is a world of difference between shaving arm/leg hair, and shaving your face.
 
There is a HUGE difference between the legs and face! Out of curiosity, would a set up like this make my honing any quicker/better?
Screenshot2011-04-21at100034PM.png

It's a set of "four each of 1000, 4000 and 8000 grit Japanese water slipstones." Dimensions 2-1/2" x 1" x 1/4" Or are these two small? Thanks again everyone for your continued help!

-Matt-
 
I think they are way too small. By the time you're starting to abrade the surface, the razor will slip off and get dinged. I use the full size Nortons, and sometimes wish they were bigger...
 
If you want the cheapest method to sharpen a razor, go to an autoparts store and get wet/dry sandpaper in varying grits. The polishing paper for fiberglass is in the 12000 grit range. get a pice of glass, little bit of water to keep the paper in place, use wet. Cut the sandpaper to size, don't have to worry about surface being to small.
 
The barber's hone you have is probably somewhere in the 6-10k grit neighborhood. If you are already shaving leg/arm hair, you do not need to spend any more time on the 1k, it will be counterproductive. With more time on the barber hone you should be fine, as they generally are fast cutters. The barber hone will be sufficient to touch up your blade as well after you've used it for a while, maybe 6 strokes per side to refresh the edge.

Keep in mind, even once you get a good shaving edge, you still may get some tugging or harshness as you develop your shaving technique. Remember to always use a light touch.

Here is one of the most helpful razor honing videos I have seen (part 2 is linked on the page as well): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL1PCgN1tn4
 
Thanks again guys for all the help and advice! But, like a good newbie, I have managed to play with the edge on one of my straights until it wasn't sharp anymore! :thumbdown: I noticed a pretty good wave in the blade (an antique store find), and so I breadknifed it...:eek: Now after hours of work to reset the bevel I can't get the toe or heel to shave, only the middle! I've done circles, put pressure on just the dull spots, tried to lap and lap and lap, but it's still dull! That was yesterday, I'm going to do some homework (poor, and now apparently foolish, college student!), and tackle this later! If you have a technique that never fails for the heel and toe of your razor, HELP ME!!! :D
Thanks,

-Matt-
 
Try using less pressure while honing, you may have been unconsciously applying more pressure to those areas causing the unevenness. It's OK to use a *little* pressure applied to the tang (not as you approach polishing though), but do not apply pressure with fingers on the blade.

You could try to get it flat again, or you can use what is called a rolling stroke across the stone, where as you draw the blade across, you gently roll the razor from heel to toe, so that all areas are sharpened evenly. This takes a little practice to get the feel of.
 
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