Thread: I dropped and chipped my razor before my second shave with it!

Originally Posted by Fort

Again its to late I already honed it up to a 5k stone. Im waiting for the 8 and 12ks to arrive. In the mean time I did 3 passes on a paddle strop with Bark river white compound (about 12k grit) to release the burr. I then took it to the microscope with one of my wife's hairs. I tested my progress and managed to pop or peel the strand at every test touch. I'm not saying its shave ready; but I feel confident. Its not that I don't have the resources to hone it myself. Everything boiles down to finding the proper stroke for this particular razor and being consistent.

In all actuality, I am becoming more acquainted with this razor by learning how it needs to be honed.

However with that said I do heed the advice to send it out. I understand But If I don't at least try, I wont sleep so well!

I am going to say this and hope I don't hurt your feelings: "You don't have any honing ability." How in the world do you think you are going to do a blade repair and hone? Release the burr? We don't create burs honing, that's a knife thing. There is a reason we recommend that you learn to shave and then work backwards from touching up a razor to learning to hone. These guys are trying to steer you in the right direction and be polite....do yourself & your face a favor and listen. Your journey will be a much smoother one.

Scott knows what he's talking about, I just didn't want to say it

Originally Posted by shooter74743

I am going to say this and hope I don't hurt your feelings: "You don't have any honing ability." How in the world do you think you are going to do a blade repair and hone? Release the burr? We don't create burs honing, that's a knife thing. There is a reason we recommend that you learn to shave and then work backwards from touching up a razor to learning to hone. These guys are trying to steer you in the right direction and be polite....do yourself & your face a favor and listen. Your journey will be a much smoother one.

Feelings not hurt But to say "you have no honing ability" only makes me work harder at being successful so thank you.

And yes burr is the wrong nomenclature. I should have said micro chips and fractures! I wanted to get a good indication of the striations and be sure their uniform across the entire bevel and extend across the entire bevel which they do.

Also every one "everyone" who ever began honing had no honing ability.

But thanks for the input I do take it seriously. And I do plan on getting a replacement from SRD when they get more in. Dont forget that point about my current plan.

When I dropped my razor, I contemplated sending back to SDR. They have a two week back log on honing. I didn't know anywhere else to go. The initial price for a re-honing is well over $35 for the job and round trip shipping not to mention the additional assessment and repair of my chips.

So I decided to consider this a loss and learn my lessons: not to drop razors and to hone a razor.

If this honing turns out well then I get even more satisfaction. If not I keep trying and learning.

Originally Posted by kwlfca

Try shaving with it so you know what the razor feels like at this point, then shave after the 8K, then after the 12K. Doing it like that will help you learn as you go because you'll be able to compare how everything feels. I almost want to say that you should try to get the best out of the 8K before you use your 12K, but that's up to you. I personally would because you should be able to get a shave ready edge off an 8K (years back that's as high as people would finish on), and once you can get a good edge off the 8K, you'll get that much better of an edge off the 12K...
Again, that's all up to you of course! The main idea when learning is to get as many reference points as possible so that you're not flying blind

If you can't get the same quality of edge that you had when you first got it, send it out so that when it comes back your shave ready reference point has been restored.

I just took your advice. No not to send it in for sharpening but to try shaving with it!
I didn't do any else after I gave 3 passes on the strop with the white paste.

So as for results. Well I ended up shaving my entire face WTG. Smooth and no pulling. The razor really liked a constant 20 degree angle. I have no nicks or cuts and my only area of burn is on my neck where I wanted to see what an ATG pass would do.
ATG was not as comfy feeling. But I have no reference to go by since this is only my second shave. I'm not sure if its technique or razor or both.

My Naniwa 12K stone just arrived. My Naniwa 8k is on its way. I ordered the 12k last week to have for refreshing. I order the 8K last night after I decide to try honing. I'll Try you're method and see where I'm at with the 8k on a shave before I use the 12k.

I'm very happy with my razor honing progress and that I managed it myself.

Seeing as it's your second shave, it could be your prep, your lather, your stropping, your shave technique or any combination of the above. Also, don't confuse "the razor" with "your honing" as another factor as there's nothing wrong with the razor itself

Originally Posted by kwlfca

Seeing as it's your second shave, it could be your prep, your lather, your stropping, your shave technique or any combination of the above. Also, don't confuse "the razor" with "your honing" as another factor as there's nothing wrong with the razor itself

Oh yes that's exactly what I meant when I said razor. I should reword that so its clear and concise. I'm not sure if the problem is my technique or the edge I honed on the razor!

Originally Posted by Fort

Oh yes that's exactly what I meant when I said razor. I should reword that so its clear and concise. I'm not sure if the problem is my technique or the edge I honed on the razor!

Probably most or all of the above it takes time (months to a year) to get everything dialed in.