Getting that last bit of keenness

[blackhhawk]

I've been spending a ton of time honing since August. My skill and technique has definitely improved to the point where I can get edges that shave, however, they lack a little bit in keenness. I am unable to shave with my edges using no pressure and cut through my whiskers almost effortlessly, like I would with a proper shave ready edge.

Lately I've been focusing on Coticules, but I have been learning both a JNAT and Coticule. It seems as though I prefer Coti edges based on some edges I've been using recently, hence the reason for focusing more on the Coti.

My question is, what are you guys doing to get that last bit of keenness out of your stone? It seems like "light pressure" is what does the trick. I've been maintaining a pretty light stroke throughout my dilutions, then really going light when I get down to water, but I still feel like I'm not even close based on the shave tests. Can someone really break down this pressure thing? I feel like incorrect pressure while honing is the key to a good edge and I'm obviously not doing something right.

 

[Brooksie967]

Options:
1.Adding one piece of tape for 30 strokes on water.
2. Using lather and doing 30+ strokes on lather (this is the method I prefer as it doesn't involve tape.
3. CrOx (or other paste/spray) on a balsa or hanging strop prior to regular stropping

 

[Oscroft]

I've only just started trying a coticule so I don't know if it works well on that, but using a final session with lather on the stone helps me get a bit extra out of synthetics.

(Ah, two people with the same idea)

 

[Brooksie967]

Remember that the 30 strokes is just a benchmark. Obviously you need to figure out what works best for your individual stone/razor.

Al, I got it first lol

 

[jpcwon]

You could also fool around with oil on coticule. I recently bought some Norton Honing Oil and have been messing around with doing 30-40 x strokes on oil as a final finishing step. Seems to squeeze a bit more keeness out of the coticule... Coticules are non-porous, so using an oil is safe for the most part & the oil washes off with dish soap pretty easily.... Some guys here have used vegetable oil with good success as well....

 

[AndroiDad75]

When you guys say lather, do you literally whip up a bowl of lather and then just scoop some on the hone? Or do you dilute it down some? Just curious what "with lather" means.

 

[blackhhawk]

I do have norton honing oil. Androidad, Ive tried a drop of dish soap. I think thats what they mean by lather.

 

[Chaloney]

Actual shaving lather, like you would shave with

 

[Brooksie967]

Dish soap will work too but we meant lather.

 

[buca3152]

I havent gotten my nirvana edge with my cotis. I get an hht 3-4 after the strop but compared to my jnat edges, they are dullish. Even with 50 x strokes on mineral oil. I just find it much easier to get it with my jnats so thats where Im at for now. And the smooth off the jnat is excellent when you consider the extra sharpness. Im thinking I have to tickle an edge off my cotis, but why bother when I can get one easy off my jnats. But keep chasing it, eventually you will find it.

 

[pouli]

I use mineral oil on my coticule. I find it really glides, where i can feel more friction wotj just water. I have convinced myself it is more keen, but i could jusy be imagining it. I am very new to this too...

 

[Oscroft]

When you guys say lather, do you literally whip up a bowl of lather and then just scoop some on the hone?

Yep, that's exactly what I do.

 

[blackhhawk]

Still no one has brought up pressure. I'm looking more for a breakdown on how you guys go about finishing and your use of pressure, or lack thereof.

Buca, it's not that I'm looking for a sharper edge than the stone can give me, I'm just trying to get an edge that's up to par for a coticule edge. The sharpness from JNAT edges I don't like. It's too sharp.

 

[Fuzzy Chops]

My question is, what are you guys doing to get that last bit of keenness out of your stone? It seems like "light pressure" is what does the trick. I've been maintaining a pretty light stroke throughout my dilutions, then really going light when I get down to water, but I still feel like I'm not even close based on the shave tests. Can someone really break down this pressure thing? I feel like incorrect pressure while honing is the key to a good edge and I'm obviously not doing something right.

http://coticule.be/clinic/topic/2355.html

Try more pressure. Try to feel the difference in cutting as you vary the pressure.
When people talk about getting to know a particular Coticule, this is one of the aspects that has to be experimented with.
Getting that last bit of keenness is the challenge of honing on a Coticule. In the short term, use some CrOx on Balsa.

 

[blackhhawk]

Thanks I'll look at that when I get home from work

 

[buca3152]

I hear ya. I was just thinking i have a few jnats that when im done honing on them they deliver coti like edges. But dont mind me, just keep working it.

 

[blackhhawk]

oh i get what youre saying

 

[Neurotopia]

Lather and oil haven't done anything that I can tell (YMMV). I like a teeny amount of AlumOx dissolved in water, 20 passes of that really kicks it up.

 

[Brooksie967]

If you're using the lather/oil properly it reduces friction, adds cushion and causes less of the abrasive in the hone to contact the razors edge effectively 'increasing' it's polishing capabilities.

 

[AndroiDad75]

That link says access denied.