I finally sharpened a razor. Properly. I have been straight razor shaving for a few months now, and have acquired a variety of items to facilitate my growing interest in this hobby. I started with a coticule, a "La Grise" it turned out - which I found through experience and research to be a slow, somewhat frustrating stone to learn how to hone on. I also have an old Norton 4/8k which isn't slow, but also, it turned out, didn't get the razor very sharp.
None-the-less, I managed a shaveable edge, and enjoyed the process of learning how to shave. I was left wondering if I had achieved a reasonable edge or not. My hanging hair tests were underwhelming, but there are thread that leave one thinking that it doesn't matter much for coticules.
Additionally, I had very little difficulty learning the technique of shaving. I mean, I barely cut myself. Maybe the first couple of shaves - but then I managed to debeard myself regularly with no blood and no stinging. I told myself it was the smooth coticule edge, and indeed, it must be part of it.
I had a nagging suspicion that my edges weren't very sharp though, and so I ordered some film from china. Now I finally got around to refinishing the two Gold Dollars I also worked on earlier this summer with 3um, 1um, and 0.5um film.
I have to learn how to shave again. Like almost from scratch. My face was a mess for three shaves. My handling of the blade, which I previously regarded as a deft touch, left an inch long bleeder this afternoon.
I'm going to try touching up on the coticule to see if I can get some kind of compromise - but man - sharp is not easy to shave with. And I'm sure I could go sharper. I have lost any doubt that I am far from maximizing what is possible.
The journey begins again.
None-the-less, I managed a shaveable edge, and enjoyed the process of learning how to shave. I was left wondering if I had achieved a reasonable edge or not. My hanging hair tests were underwhelming, but there are thread that leave one thinking that it doesn't matter much for coticules.
Additionally, I had very little difficulty learning the technique of shaving. I mean, I barely cut myself. Maybe the first couple of shaves - but then I managed to debeard myself regularly with no blood and no stinging. I told myself it was the smooth coticule edge, and indeed, it must be part of it.
I had a nagging suspicion that my edges weren't very sharp though, and so I ordered some film from china. Now I finally got around to refinishing the two Gold Dollars I also worked on earlier this summer with 3um, 1um, and 0.5um film.
I have to learn how to shave again. Like almost from scratch. My face was a mess for three shaves. My handling of the blade, which I previously regarded as a deft touch, left an inch long bleeder this afternoon.
I'm going to try touching up on the coticule to see if I can get some kind of compromise - but man - sharp is not easy to shave with. And I'm sure I could go sharper. I have lost any doubt that I am far from maximizing what is possible.
The journey begins again.