Finishing an edge

**Webro** · 12-02-2007, 11:32 AM

I have been shaving with a straight now for a year.I had my razor honed by Lynn to insure it was done correctly.That said I then had to learn to strop and eventually hone the razor mysely.I can hone it using a Norton 4000/8000 to the point where I can shave with it, but it drags a bit.It is frustrating as I just cannot get the perfect edge. From time to time I use a shavette with a broken DE blade to feel what a sharp blade should feel like. I recently ordered a Belgian Coticule from Howard from the Perfect Edge.He recommended a Bout, and to use a circular motion, he says it is an X pattern with a back hone.Can anyone point me in the direction where I can find out more information about how to hone like this.

Regards Alan

**joel** · 12-02-2007, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by Webro

I have been shaving with a straight now for a year.I had my razor honed by Lynn to insure it was done correctly.That said I then had to learn to strop and eventually hone the razor mysely.I can hone it using a Norton 4000/8000 to the point where I can shave with it, but it drags a bit.It is frustrating as I just cannot get the perfect edge. From time to time I use a shavette with a broken DE blade to feel what a sharp blade should feel like. I recently ordered a Belgian Coticule from Howard from the Perfect Edge.He recommended a Bout, and to use a circular motion, he says it is an X pattern with a back hone.Can anyone point me in the direction where I can find out more information about how to hone like this.

Regards Alan

Alan,
I've never heard of finishing like this... establishing a bevel, getting rid of a nick, etc - yes... but finishing with circles and backhoning? Doesn't make sense to me.

I'd suggest instead, a Spyderco UF, or a Chinese 12K. They will produce a finer edge, and are quite a bit less expensive.

**Lynn** · 12-02-2007, 07:14 PM

I have sharpened hundreds of razors with the Norton 4K/8K and no other hones or pastes and ended up with great shaving razors where the edge has lasted for months. Every razor has its own personality and every person honing them has their preferences. The most redundant problem I see is new folks who use way to many strokes and way too much pressure when learning to hone. Typically, the only razors that require alot of time and courser stones are usually the Ebay specials that have been honed to death with uneven spines, bevels and edges.

Have fun.

Lynn

**Thebigspendur** · 12-04-2007, 09:47 AM

Yes, like I have said before and Lynn confirms it, all you need is the Norton 4K/8K. People seem to think if they can't get the result they want of that stone well, they just get something finer. Its the skill you have to develop not a collection of stones. I say once you have mastered one stone then move on to the next and master that. Throwing more money at the problem isn't the answer.

I've never heard of using that technique on the Coticule either. I think on one occasion I used some circular honing with the coticule and that was with a very problem plagued Eboy Special I had and I was desperate so I was experimenting.

**A.de.Lioncourt** · 12-04-2007, 10:03 AM

This is most definitely not a way to finish an edge. If you were trying to establish a bevel... maybe.

The point here is mainly to refine the "jagged edge" caused by the rougher scratch pattern; not to try and change the bevel or remove much metal. For this, the coticule is a good choice, because the garnite crystals will not cut very deeply into the metal. An x-pattern is helpful, but most importantly, be gentle, and take your time.

Any back honing even done in a circular motion can augment the jagged edge rather than refine it.

**gglockner** · 12-05-2007, 10:44 PM

Using mostly barber hones I found the Norton to be very coarse. Maybe I was using to much pressure being more familiar with the slow cutting barber hones. You still wouldn't want to use a circular motion or back honing with any finishing hone. Nelson does sum it up by saying that you can not keep buying finer hones to get a razor keen. Just keep practicing with what you have.

Glen

**LX_Emergency** · 12-05-2007, 11:27 PM

this is what I do with my coticule bout....it's not let me down so far.

**Thebigspendur** · 12-07-2007, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by LX_Emergency

this is what I do with my coticule bout....it's not let me down so far.

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words and you've spoken volumes there. Excellent.

**LX_Emergency** · 12-09-2007, 07:56 AM

lemme see...1 picture is worth 1000 words....typical video is 15-25 frames per second (let's say 20 for the ease of it), the video is just over 10 minutes:

10X60X20X1000= 12000000 words or so?

**Webro** · 12-20-2007, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by LX_Emergency

this is what I do with my coticule bout....it's not let me down so far.

Took your advice.The bout I purchased is actually quite a regular shape.That said it is not even.Which means if you lay the spine down, not all the edge touches the stone.That said if I use a X pattern it seems to solve the problem.Is this normal for a coticule bout.

Alan

**LX_Emergency** · 12-27-2007, 01:07 AM

Don't know. A lot of people lap their stones with some other kind of tough stone. Personally I've always used X patterns....so I've never had any problems with it. And saying that...I've only ever had one coticule bout. So I can't really compare. Mine seems tp be flat.