Back to the basics

[drmoss_ca]

I find some razors do well on a coticule alone, but the first shaves are a bit rough until repeated stropping does pretty much what a finishing stone does. It may be that your slack strop is working well for that. Those razors that I know get on with the coticule I usually finish on an oiled black Arkansas now, as it's quick and saves me a couple of slightly harsh shaves. I'll have to give a try to Finnegan's Take on the matter.

I wonder why it is that some razors will not hone successfully on the coticule? Too hard, an imperfect grind, or the ever present issue of my technique not being all it could be?

[drmoss_ca]

Tried it on a razor that doesn't normally do well with a coticule - a Friodur. Coticule, Ark, slack strop. Got a 90% shave - a little stubble can be felt, and a minor sting with aftershave. For very little effort, a good result!

[EL Alamein]

I find some razors do well on a coticule alone, but the first shaves are a bit rough until repeated stropping does pretty much what a finishing stone does. It may be that your slack strop is working well for that. Those razors that I know get on with the coticule I usually finish on an oiled black Arkansas now, as it's quick and saves me a couple of slightly harsh shaves. I'll have to give a try to Finnegan's Take on the matter.

I wonder why it is that some razors will not hone successfully on the coticule? Too hard, an imperfect grind, or the ever present issue of my technique not being all it could be?

I'm thinking the same thing regarding the stropping doing what a finisher does. There's that and a bit of edge convexing that is probably going on. This is the principle that the guy over at the scienceofsharp says all razor edges conform to. I believe he says that coticules naturally convex edges so maybe the Finnegan stropping method works exceptionally well for them?

It's funny you should mention the Arkansas stone - when I was a kid I borrowed a white/cream colored Arkansas stone to hone my blade from a friend. This borrowing went on for probably 10 years until I bought my own hone (a black surgical Arkansas stone).

I'm thinking of what you said regarding different course for different horses when it comes to razors and hones. Probably the steel is what makes some razors better than others on a coticule?

Since I started this back in November I have honed a number of blades this way. This includes a lovely NOS razor I got from Giffith's that was sealed since it was marketed. They all seem to have taken an exceptionally keen edge but it will be years before I get to try them all at this rate.

Chris

[EL Alamein]

Tried it on a razor that doesn't normally do well with a coticule - a Friodur. Coticule, Ark, slack strop. Got a 90% shave - a little stubble can be felt, and a minor sting with aftershave. For very little effort, a good result!

Bravo! If you're willing to keep going, it did seem to me that the razor continues to get keener with the Finnigan stropping method as you use it. At least until it can't anymore.

Don't know if it helps but I always determine if the razor is ready for the strop by continually using the thumbnail test. I've come to know a sensation where the edge really digs in and smoothly runs across my nail. This comes much quicker when using a slurry on a coticule.

I've wondered if that test removes any debris or overhoning remnants which can interfere with the edge keenness. I know it often leaves trace swarf marks in my thumbnail (washes out mostly with plain soap and water). This does not dull the razor, at least not for me.

Chris

[EL Alamein]

Just passed five months with this blade. Still keen and comfortable as ever. No end in sight.

More to come.

Chris

[drmoss_ca]

I remember some years ago at the old house, we had the master bathroom re-done. For about four months I had to use another bathroom to shave, and I had just my oldest Livi. I was surprised at how it lasted. Surprised too, when I eventually tried another razor at how sharp it was! It seems I had not really noticed the edge fading as it slowly happened, like the mythical frog in hot water.

C.

[EL Alamein]

I remember some years ago at the old house, we had the master bathroom re-done. For about four months I had to use another bathroom to shave, and I had just my oldest Livi. I was surprised at how it lasted. Surprised too, when I eventually tried another razor at how sharp it was! It seems I had not really noticed the edge fading as it slowly happened, like the mythical frog in hot water.

C.

I love this observation as I have had similar experiences.

I am going to have to try another razor at some point and I am thinking I'll do it at the six month mark, regardless of how I perceive this blade is performing. It's the only way to know if it's gone round the bend and I just haven't detected it.

I do test this razor at least once a week with my version of the hanging hair test. It passes with the slightest touch to the hair just like a newly honed blade.

I pay attention daily to the smoothness factor. I have sensitive skin and when a blade goes south I've always been able to detect it in the past in the form of irritation. It may take a while but it definitely shows up. So far I haven't really detected any irritation though. Is my skin getting tougher as the edge slowly degrades? I'm thinking not due to my experiences, but truth is stranger than fiction so I'll eventually find out.

Right now I'm very happy with the daily performance of this blade, it's like shaving with a fresh edge every day.

More to come.

Chris

[drmoss_ca]

This sounds like one of those runs where you dare not change a thing in case the whole lot comes crashing down. Like shooting woodpigeons and you get six in a row with no misses.

[EL Alamein]

This sounds like one of those runs where you dare not change a thing in case the whole lot comes crashing down. Like shooting woodpigeons and you get six in a row with no misses.

You are spot on with that observation.

So no sooner than the day after you posted this, a little irritation showed up in the Saturday shave. Then the Sunday shave there was more. Mind you, the blade is still extremely keen, it's just lost it's comfort. It can be so sudden and it makes me wonder what conditions cause this.

Well, Monday I selected one of the razors I had waiting in the wings - a blade my wife (whom I directed) bought me for Christmas last year.

Griffith sells these NOS vintage razors from 50-60+ years ago still sealed so she got me one. I don't know where they find the stuff but it's neat to be able to purchase one. Seems genuine, but who knows.

Good stuff and fresh out of the box it has only been honed on my Belgian hone. A small 2X4 barber hone of unknown brand. It had one of those ink stamps on it when I bought a few decades ago. It said "Choice Belgian hone, selected. Extra Extra". Bah, marketing lure.

It's only been stropped the Finnegan method.

I shaved with it and it was fantastic! It's keen, like the previous razor, but it's got that Belgian hone mild comfortable edge that I like so much.

I guess let's see how long this one lasts.

I'm mulling over what I can do to the previous blade to restore the mildness without honing it again on a Belgian. Maybe use the Jemico strop?

More to come.

Chris

[drmoss_ca]

If you got five and a half months of daily use out of one honing I think you are well ahead. There would be no shame in honing again at this point.
What I am curious to hear is whether the new razor lasts anywhere near as long. Different steel means all bets are off, I would think.
Another interesting experiment would be to rehone the long-lasting razor exactly the same way, and see if it goes the same length of time. The fact it suddenly deteriorated suggests that something happened - a couple of awkward stropping strokes or something, and that broke the spell.

Chris

[EL Alamein]

I agree with the comment about new steel and I am interested to see how long it lasts. The new blade is made of Kayser-Ellison steel and I don't really know how that stacks against the Genco steel. I've read positive remarks about both so I guess we'll just have to find out.

I am going to eventually rehone that Genco on the Belgian, I'm just not ready yet as I don't want to feel married to a blade. I got all these other edges that I honed on the Belgian recently when I was just looking for something fun to do. And the prospect of it taking years to get them if I continue with this longevity experiment is not sitting well.

Chris

[drmoss_ca]

Change for the sake of change. Guilty as charged, m'lud.

[EL Alamein]

Change for the sake of change. Guilty as charged, m'lud.

We like to experiment, hopefully to the benefit of those who come after us.

The Kayser Ellison blade is coming along nicely, I am so curious about how long it lasts.

Chris

[drmoss_ca]

Is it still going? Or have you moved on. I have the old TI 5/8 damascus working perfectly, but I can't help slipping other razors in here and there.