Giving up on lapping film - I need a honemeister

[Storm]

I've read the forums. I've watched the videos.

After trying to touch-up my Dovo with

3 micron 60 laps
1 micron 60 laps
1 micron with wet paper underneath 40 laps

​

When honing. I'm laying the blade flat. No tape on the spine. It doesn't need a bevel.

MAYBE the paper is worn-out, but I've only used it for one or two hones, and neither yielded great results.

I'm finding that the blade just isn't that sharp. Shaving with it is unpleasant, constant pulling and tugging and the results aren't as close as I'm getting with my Merkur Slant with red IP.

So, if I'm going to give up on the paper, which I heard so many rave reviews about, who can I send this thing to, and what's it going to cost me?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Obiwan]

I don't think your film is worn out. Are you sure it doesn't need bevel work? I'm no pro, but I'll hone it for you for free. Pm me if your interested.

 

[squirrelmaster]

I don't think you will have any problem finding someone to send it to. Honing razors is a passion for alot of us something we love to do. If for some reason you dont take obiwan up on his offer (which I would) I will also do it for free.

 

[SliceOfLife]

A chance for someone to prove the superiority of mojo.

 

[Doc226]

Obiwan will not fail. The Mojo is with him.

 

[Obiwan]

....only because I'm borrowing the "mojo brick" right now. Which, for anyone who doesn't know, is Doc's concrete cinder block of a JNAT that plays cuban music when you use it.

 

[BakerAndBadger]

I like Docs "oooh la la, say zoom" music personally but I think that only comes with his coticules.

 

[Slash McCoy]

I've read the forums. I've watched the videos.

After trying to touch-up my Dovo with

3 micron 60 laps
1 micron 60 laps
1 micron with wet paper underneath 40 laps

​

When honing. I'm laying the blade flat. No tape on the spine. It doesn't need a bevel.

MAYBE the paper is worn-out, but I've only used it for one or two hones, and neither yielded great results.

I'm finding that the blade just isn't that sharp. Shaving with it is unpleasant, constant pulling and tugging and the results aren't as close as I'm getting with my Merkur Slant with red IP.

So, if I'm going to give up on the paper, which I heard so many rave reviews about, who can I send this thing to, and what's it going to cost me?

Thanks in advance.

Whoa whoa whoa... looks like nobody caught this... is it PAPER, or FILM? The "lapping paper" and "polishing paper" is some stuff that is going around and it is not film at all. If it feels like paper, then it isn't lapping film.

If you truly do have a good bevel, then a progression of 5u, 3u, 1u and 1u on paper will certainly gitter done. Are you positive that you have a good bevel? You aren't letting the shoulder ride up on the plate, are you? Have you tried the sharpie test?

 

[Slash McCoy]

Another question: your Dovo... is it a "Best"? And who honed it before? Did he hone it with tape? Is it the factory edge?

 

[squirrelmaster]

yeah what slash said

 

[paco664]

i also offer to hone it for free....

if you want... send pm for address...

 

[Storm]

OP here. Let's see if I can provide additional info:

Sorry, it looks and feels like paper. It's indeed lapping film. This stuff.
http://www.bestsharpeningstones.com/catalog/Lapping Film.htm

The Dovo was purchased from Vintage Blades, who sent it as "shave-ready."

It's a "best quality" 5/8" Carbon Steel.

I have no idea what the Sharpie test is.

I made a very conscious effort to make sure the shoulder was NOT lifting the handle edge up off the film with each pass.

You all seem to have faith in this Obiwan gentleman. I believe I'll PM him.

But the mystery to how the brainless lapping film didn't give me an effortlessly professional hone still baffles.

 

[Wid]

No matter what you read regarding the miracles of lapping films you still need to have basic honing skills.

 

[Blue_2]

The Sharpie test is where you mark the side of the blade near the edge and then take a few laps on your honing material of choice. The marker will be removed in the places it makes contact with the hone.

 

[Gissy]

I didn't have much luck my few first honings, it's starting to get there now though. Get a cheap straight to practice on, I wouldn't do that with a new Dovo.

 

[Slash McCoy]

OP here. Let's see if I can provide additional info:

Sorry, it looks and feels like paper. It's indeed lapping film. This stuff.
http://www.bestsharpeningstones.com/catalog/Lapping%20Film.htm

The Dovo was purchased from Vintage Blades, who sent it as "shave-ready."

It's a "best quality" 5/8" Carbon Steel.

I have no idea what the Sharpie test is.

I made a very conscious effort to make sure the shoulder was NOT lifting the handle edge up off the film with each pass.

You all seem to have faith in this Obiwan gentleman. I believe I'll PM him.

But the mystery to how the brainless lapping film didn't give me an effortlessly professional hone still baffles.

That is indeed film. However, it seems to be PSA film. Plain back is better. (prices are a bit outrageous too)

Maybe someone will chime in on Vintage Blades and how shave ready their shave ready edges are. I am not familiar with that vendor. I will say that IMHO a Dovo Best is not half the razor it ought to be for the price. The better Dovos are very good razors. The "Best" razors are actually their worst. There are often spine symmetry issues or shoulder issues.

Pretty much anyone here who has the brass ones to offer to hone your razor will be able to put a serviceable edge on it. I think you have had two members offer to hone it and either will hone it as if their reputation is at stake. Your razor will be in good hands. If the blade has issues then they will be corrected sufficiently to allow normal and effective honing.

To do the sharpie test just use a sharpie marker to paint the bevel on both sides. Hone it one or two laps. Where the ink is gone or remains will tell you a lot about what's going on with your honing.

Another trick that you might or might not have seen in your thread reading is to hold your lapping plate loosely in your left hand instead of laying it on a table or workbench. This helps you to moderate and balance your honing pressure and let's the razor and honing surface find their own alignment.

It is possible that your edge was okay but your shaving technique was off. Getting your razor back sharp will let you find out for sure. It could also be your stropping, of course. It will all come together for you if you don't give up.

Good luck and happy shaves.

 

[Seraphim]

I'll hone it up for you ON FILMS, the way it was meant to be...

 

[Krodor]

I'll hone it up for you ON FILMS, the way it was meant to be...

 

[Doc226]

I'll hone it up for you ON FILMS, the way it was meant to be...

That sink still looks hungry, no TI snack-EVER

 

[rickboone1]

Don't give up on film. Honing takes time. Takes a lot of practice and trial and error. My bet is you need a lower grit. Not getting enough metal off and not doing enough laps.