Thread: Getting that edge

Hi Yall, well i am still persevering with trying to hone and strop my blades, Today i managed to get a shave with one ( the shave was akin to using a 2-3 use bic disposable).

I used a 1-2k grit to set the bevel, i then used an india oil stone to fetch up the edge and stropped on a leather belt.

I am close to getting there but i have a razor prepped by steve at invisible edge and his edge is shiney mine is dull, i am guessing but do i need a water stone to polish the edge.

all the blades cept 1 are proper blades from first quarter 20th century.


ta mark

IME a series of waterstones in appropriate grits, such as 1k, 4k, and 8k or thereabouts, will give best results honing straight razors to a comfortable and close shaving edge. Never tried an India on anything but pocket knives.

thanks for that, a range of waterstones would be nice, but swmbo ( the fun prevention officer) wont allow me to buy em, yet, Having just bought my 6th razor i suppose i should now focus on the other gear required ( but the razors are shiny and they calls to us).

I have just stropped each razor for 100 strokes and all bar 1 ( the new one) pass the hair strand test now.

Don't worry about the hair test, it's not indicative of a good edge.

I can get a razor to pass the HHT off a 325 DMT but you sure wouldn't want to shave with it!

The only real test is the shave test and if it shaves good than it is good. If the edge is rough or the blade pulls then the edge isn't there yet.

I agree with jimmy though, a better range of hones will definitely help. If the funds are tight then I'd recommend sending one of your blades to be pro honed so you have a comparison to use against the blades you hone.

Good luck and keep us posted!

+ 1 to what Stu said. Get them honed by a pro. OTOH, If they're shaving well a barber hone, such as a Swaty, would be all you need for the time being.

Cheers stubear, i do have a pro honed razor and that is what i compare the razors too, I was aware through this site that the hanging hair test was not indicative but kinda hoped it might show i was on the right track. hey ho never mind.

I will try a little longer but will have to buy the stones eventually.

Originally Posted by bambi

Having just bought my 6th razor i suppose i should now focus on the other gear required ( but the razors are shiny and they calls to us).

I have several India stones. They are good, cheap hones. For cutlery. Even if lapped properly, the fine side is good enough to make a knife shave arm hair, especially if it smoothes out more from use. But definitely not appropriate for shaving. I'd imagine, from reading in this forum, the minimalist gear required after bevel setting with an India (aluminum oxide) stone would be the time-tested coticule with slurry progression. Or a barber's hone. Something like that classic pairing of stone and slurry.

You could also use linen/canvas strop to keen up the edge. Or a bench strop that has been pasted with something fine like chromium oxide. (Easy to DIY the strop from a piece of wood like a paint-stirrer and scrap leather, or even a piece of cardboard).

Thanks for the reply chaps, today i tried one of my honed and stropped razors,

first i tried the new "best quality) razor what a pile of poo. id give it a 1/10

2nd i tried my kropp, looks like a 5/8 hollow with slightly con-caved( towards the spine) edge, with the front ( furthest from the tang) being slightly narrower than the rear. yesterday i spent a little time on the oil stone with thin oil then washed it down and used water, i then stropped it on my belt for about 100 strokes. today i shaved with it and no knicks, pretty smooth, id give it 7/10.

goes to show, quality will out.

Thanks for all the guidance i know where i need to go, but it will take a little time to get there.