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Smooth but not sharp.

B

Basil

Well-Known Member
Howdy all,

I've been trying recently to hone a blade that's been a trouble for everyone who has tried.

The blade is a new 5/8 henckles friodur razor. I say new because apparently henckles started making blades again.

I bought this razor new and it was honed by many experienced honemiesters but the edge just doesn't cut it.

It starts off smooth and I can feel it cutting the hairs but it always starts to pull or give up getting towards the end.

I think I am experiencing microchipping along the edge?

Since getting it back I've tried to fix the problem with this blade any way I can. I've tried tape no tape extra tape with no success. Also with pressure and many other variations.


I haven't yet tried to finish on only the bbw maybe that should be my next step? Do you think the balde is similar to the new ti that is prone to microchipping? What about halfstrokes as my finishing stroke with light pressure. Would the slight stropping motion help?

Any suggestions would help. I'm willing to try it all!
 
Whats the bevel angle?
Where did you buy it?(contact seller and have him hone and test it if possible)
Have you tryed two layers of tape?
 
I don't know how to measure the bevel angle?

I bought the razor from a online vendor and I got a refund for the honing but since then I've sent it to no less then 5 top honers from various Wetshaving forums.

I'm trying to make the best out of this razor because it was given to me as an engagement present and has sentimental value.

I tried two layers of tape as one of my first ideas. Maybe I will revisit it.
 
check back in a day or so im sure there will be more suggestions
Or it might need to be sent back for replacement
you havve other razors that dont have this problem right?
 
Has any of those 5 honemasters thoroughly assessed that razor. I mean, gave it 2 or 3 full test shaves while monitoring the edge with a good microscope?

If not, i suggest you hit the "free honing service" button, and I will be happy to seek out what's going on with this razor. If no one can put a lasting edge on it, and I would be able to document the problem with pictures and text, you might be able to take this up with Henckels.

Kind regards,
Bart
 
Hi Bart,

Thanks for the wonderful offer.

I have an eye loupe coming in so I will wait to take you up on your offer. I would like to just look and see exactly what is happening after a shave.

That way I can be sure it is microchipping and not other issues.

And yes I have honed other razors without any issues. My three le grelots all shave amazing, and I had a vintage henckles that took a great edge off a coti too.

It just seems that this is a problematic blade. I remember reading that others had issues with this blade too but I can't find the specific thread in any of the forums.
 
Well, the offers stands for any future time you would like have that blade checked. The eye loupe might just show you what you need to know, or it might not. That depends on how large the microscopic chipping is (if any), and the magnification/optical resolution of your loupe.

I haven't yet sharpened one of those new production Henckels, so I don't know how they behave for sharpening. I hope you get it solved. Otherwise, I'd be happy to try myself.

Kind regards,
Bart
 
Thought I'd give little update.

I tried the razor with 2 layers of tape on just plain water.

I'm not sure how many laps I did but most have been 50+ the water started to dry and I continued until the stone was bone dry and did about 5 laps on the stone like that.

I'm not sure why I worked with it dry I've just heard others using that technique so gave it a try.

Well as for the test it was poppin hairs quite well on the HHT and the test shave was great. I didn't get any of that break down feeling that I got the last shaves. So far it seems promising, let's see what happens next shave tmr.
 
This is a good example of situations that could easily lead to conclusions being jumped. While it is a possibility that the hone till dry technique really did something for the edge, it is equally possible (and in my experience even more likely) that the edge already peaked on water. It would be tempting to conclude that fhe magic was in the dry honing, but without testing this in different directions, we can't really tell. Just some precautionary words.

I absolutely salute your success. Nice to know that the razor was capable after all. I hope the edge checks out during the second shave as well. I think it will. I've encountered several razors so far with steel problems, mostly due to corrosion and temper problems. It either shows up already during the honing, and occasionally during the first shave. Only once I had a razor that flew under my razor and failed during the owner's first shave. I had test shaved it in a group of four razors and it managed to survive my quarter test shave. I insisted that the owner sent it back and discovered that the steel really wasn't up to the task. (this was a no brand, nickel plated blade). I think that if your Henckels made it through one full shave, it will be good.:thumbup:

Kind regards,
Bart.
 
I agree I think it was more the double tape than the dry hone.

Didnt mean to make it seem like I was giving my praise to the dry hone.

I've never tried it before but maybe I'll see what happens with more tests.
 
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