I had a discussion with Scott last night. I was taught so to speak, that when establishing the bevel, you should be able to shave arm hair. I have a Wootz Damascus that is giving me a heck of a time on the 1k Shapton. I just cant shave arm hair on it. I have spent a good 30-40 minutes on the 1k alone in progressions of 30 sets of x strokes. I was discussing this with Scott, who told me if i see the shiny edge under a light/microscope just move on to the Coti.
So without shaving arm hair I moved onto the Coti did my progression and ended up with HHT 2/3 off the stone, and 3/4 off the strop. I did another 40 x strokes on water only, and lost the HHT off the stone, but was still at a 3/4 off the strop. Then talking to Scott I did another 40 x strokes on a freshly lapped stone. Still no HHT off the stone and more of a HHT 3 after stropping.
Now im thinking I should take the razor back to the 1k all together. Do I have a sufficient bevel since it wasnt cutting armhair to begin with? Why was I losing my HHT benchmark the more trips on just water I was making. To say the least im going to bed a very sad person.
So without shaving arm hair I moved onto the Coti did my progression and ended up with HHT 2/3 off the stone, and 3/4 off the strop. I did another 40 x strokes on water only, and lost the HHT off the stone, but was still at a 3/4 off the strop. Then talking to Scott I did another 40 x strokes on a freshly lapped stone. Still no HHT off the stone and more of a HHT 3 after stropping.
Now im thinking I should take the razor back to the 1k all together. Do I have a sufficient bevel since it wasnt cutting armhair to begin with? Why was I losing my HHT benchmark the more trips on just water I was making. To say the least im going to bed a very sad person.