Thread: Exccessive dulling? Please help...

Originally Posted by unit

How many laps did you make on the 13K?

How many laps on the charged strop?

I did 100 passes each side (alternating of course) on the 13k stone, and then followed up with 100 passes on the charged strop and 100 more on bare leather...

Originally Posted by bobbybirds

I did 100 passes each side (alternating of course) on the 13k stone, and then followed up with 100 passes on the charged strop and 100 more on bare leather...

There's your problem.

With a high grit finisher the most laps you should have to do is in the region of 12, even less. Paste should be about the same.

I'd say you made a toothy or fragile edge that broke off after a shave or two. That's usually what happens.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

There's your problem.

With a high grit finisher the most laps you should have to do is in the region of 12, even less. Paste should be about the same.

I'd say you made a toothy or fragile edge that broke off after a shave or two. That's usually what happens.

Okay! I will try this next go and see how we end up... Thanks for that!

Originally Posted by Ryan82

There's your problem.

With a high grit finisher the most laps you should have to do is in the region of 12, even less. Paste should be about the same.

I'd say you made a toothy or fragile edge that broke off after a shave or two. That's usually what happens.

I had a feeling. This was a stumbling block for me (and my knife honing background) when I started razor honing.

Originally Posted by bobbybirds

Okay! I will try this next go and see how we end up... Thanks for that!

I would suggest NOT using the charged strop or the 13K. See what you can do with just the 8K, and a bare strop. Only when you have accomplished some great shave ready edges with the 8K should you muddy the waters with finishers (in my opinion).

okay... Just finished shaving with my freshly honed Bismarck and it worked like awesome from beginning to end! Even did an ATG pas with no issue of dulling. That said, I would like to keep this type of condition going. If stopping on bare leather only now, how many passes should I be doing before shaving next? If I start noticing the edge degrading early, what would my next course of action be? going back to 8k? Try a dozen passes or so on the 13k?

Personally, I do 15 linen laps and 30 bare leather laps post shave and 15/60 pre shave. I get perhaps 45-60 shaves before I go to any abrasive.

When I reach for that abrasive it may be a 12k hone or a CrOx loaded strop and I generally do 7 laps and then test shave.

Results and preferences vary. I believe the razor dictates procedure...but once the ideal procedure is used, a razor can go a longer time between touch ups.

Have fun.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

I suppose my list is what can go wrong above and beyond the razor itself lol

Your help is always appreciated, though. I like lists; keep 'em coming.