Thread: The Finished Edge

I have seen this also but not all the time. It usually occurs during the 8k stage. In my mind this is the edge getting so thin that it is starting to bend just a little and reflecting the light at a different angle . The subsequent laps on the abrasive pasted paddle strop usually remove it.

I think it is a form of micro-burr which may sometimes be related to bevel geometry &/or steel quality or maybe that the razor is what I call "9/10 broke" i.e. as sharp as possible before edge breakdown.

It may be what Iwasaki referred to as the "False Edge" ?

Lynn!

This is a fascinating post!! I don't have access to extreme magnification, however I'll follow closely just to become more educated!

Originally Posted by randydance062449

The subsequent laps on the abrasive pasted paddle strop usually remove it.

That is what I thought too, but I guess I have not been paying very close attention

Originally Posted by onimaru55

I think it is a form of micro-burr which may sometimes be related to bevel geometry &/or steel quality or maybe that the razor is what I call "9/10 broke" i.e. as sharp as possible before edge breakdown.

It may be what Iwasaki referred to as the "False Edge" ?

I've sort of noticed this too--I don't really see any sparklies under 60x (the lowest setting of the Radio SHack scope I have), but I definitely notice my edges feel smoother & for sure sharper after a good linen/leather stropping 30/60 or so. THey also pop hairs much more effortlessly.

I've actually been using a little bit more pressure stropping than normal on the first 20 or so strokes on leather, then going to normal for the remainder--for some reason that really helps perfect the edge for me. I figure either I'm shaping the edge just a touch more (Hamaguriba, I think it's called) or I'm slightly overdoing finishing & the stropping cleans the edge up. I tried stropping normal pressure only after honing & couldn't really tell a difference between that & straight off the hone w/ no stropping, so the few strokes w/ pressure definitely is doing something.

Stropping like this before every shave however will dull the blade rapidly (3 shaves max); I only do this for 20 or so strokes right off the hone & always strop normally otherwise.