Great videos. I am new to using a straight razor and and appreciate seeing you shave since it shows me I have not been been doing the different directions.
Good vid. I've got a similar setup (Chosera 1k or Shapton 1.5k Pro for bevel, Norton 8k and Nani 12k or vintage coti). I've been battling with a few butterknives (aka GD "razors") and a vintage Wade and Butcher with heavier grind. I can get them to plink off arm hairs, but still the shave-ability is barely passable. I switched to a vintage Sheffield I had, with a hollower grind and that one turns out better but still not what I imagine Keith at Tomo Nagura would call a "pushed" edge. I think you're right, technique has a TON to do with honing, like, 80-90%. You make it look easy, but in reality there's a lot going on in those 6 mins.
3:24 So two-handed half strokes, to one handed circles, to X strokes. Fascinating stuff. Trying to restore a vintage straight right now. Going to use this technique. Thanks Doc. ✌️
The sharpening angle is very important! If it is too small, it collapses; if it is too large, it does not cut fine. I was also tormented by a few blades...
Dr Matt, I just started using a straight edge razor and it's taking me a moment to really enjoy a shave the way you seem to in this video. I just started watching your vids on sharpening (I just learned you use a 400 stone to prep other stones), and while I have seen other creators on this topic I really enjoy your vids. Thank you
Enjoyed and learned more from your video. It is indeed a simple thing just looking at how you do it. Absolutely motivated to replicate what you do. So, the stones are 5k to 8k to 12k. Merry Christmas!
Nice work, Dr. Matt! A very informative and enjoyable video, as always! Might be sending you my great grandfather’s old Wade & Butcher. Never done a tapered wedge before, so I might need some help! PS: Merry Christmas!
You have been such a help!! I have a professionally honed gold dollar and I bought a grand slam straight razor. I tested it and it had a wobble I followed your older videos and it took the wobble out and followed your progressions and now it I close my eyes I can’t tell which razor I honed and which one was done professionally. I’ll be getting more razors to work on!! Thanks.
Strop with green compound worked well for me to avoid hair pulling issue on a 9k edge: I am very experienced in kitchen knife sharpening, and yesterday I sharpened my first straight razor, a gold dollar, to try SR shaving. When I compared with commercial shavette razor shave, I found my edge was pulling hair quite noticeably. Before the shave test I checked my edge and it looked very clean and consistent under the scope, with the normal 9k polish. Then under the scope I noticed the commercial razor edge is highly stropped on the apex, because the scratch pattern becomes invisible near the apex. So I tried unloaded strop on my straight razor and under the scope I saw it didn't do anything, my 9k stone scratch pattern was still going to the end of the apex. Then I tried with loaded strop, the green compound. A very thin layer of compound didn't so much. But after trying a little thicker layer of compound on the strop, I noticed the amount of light reflection got very similar to the commercial razor, like extra brightly reflecting the led light and scratch pattern started to fade near the apex when I checked on the microscope. I was using some cheap aliexpress kind of digital microscope but it was still very useful. On a leg hair test I saw it wasn't grabbing hair anymore, just like the factory sharpened disposable double edge razor blade. So for me, the last missing step was a loaded strop. Your .5 micron spray is very important in your progression I think. I'll try my newest edge in a few days. Great content, enjoying and learning everytime!
Great Vid Doc, no surprise there was hone wear after 30 mins on a mid grade stone. Maybe the stone is faulty. I have two Norton 4k stones and one of them is gritty as hell actually unusable
Same here. I have a Norton 4/8 and the 4 side is basically like a 1K. I keep it because the 8k is sooo smooth! I use a Naniwa 3K as the first stop from the 1K now. Haven’t bought anything new or restored anything in a while so I rarely go lower than the 8k these days. Been hooked on the Jnat anyway.
Great video as always. I just wish I had the proficiency that you do when it comes to the area around my chin. I seem to get more cuts in that area so I use a DE to avoid any further bloodshed. You sharpened a couple of my straight razors a few years back and wow, what a difference.
Hi, He mentioned this a while back to not Press the Blade hard into the Skin, let the blade do the work. Some People have to wait a few weeks after a Straight Razor Shave to commence another Straight Razor Shave because the Skin is not Callous enough in that particular area of the face.
Great video Dr. Matt! Definitely something I’ve run into myself. Great tips on dealing with it. Thank you. I wanted to ask about a particular stone. Have you ever used a Vermont Green stone? I’ve seen it pop up in a couple places lately and I’m curious.
I have a strop that'll do that to an edge, the horsehide "roughout" by Heirloom. It was so bad that I flipped it over and now use the smooth side instead.
I realize I'm watching old vids but, I've been watching all of you're vids lately. I've noticed alot of green compounds that people are finishing with(after 12-15k stones) green compounds of varying brands. Some are using what looks like generic, brandless green bars. I've been checking grits of the brands that I can find, and three of which were 7m. Green Dialux, Beavercraft, and Hutsuls were all 7m. I saw a guy finish on a 15k(I believe) and then stropped on green Dialux. Think that could potentially be the issue there, or would that have changed his scratch pattern completely? Everyone seems to assume green means 1m or finer, and lots of times it's not.
Perhaps it could be improper surface prep causing his rough edges. If I did not clean off the stone at some midway point during a 30 min session I'd likely have swarf/small metal particles remaining on the stone which could cause some chipping and scratching.
Maybe they didn't quite trust the spine of the blade to guide the angle or performed something else that messed up the edge? I can't think from the top of my head what else would cause the whole progression result in a jagged edge.
Hello mate hope your well, been patiently waiting to see you do a DE shave just wondering have you forget and do you still plan on doing it? Absolutely no worries if you can't but I love you shave technique however I am a DE shaver so would just love to see how you shave with a de razor
Doctor, I'm kind of under impression that GDs shave better when I finish with a 1k diamond stone, 3k tops, than when i polish that blade (my finest usable stone is some mud-stone comparable to 5k). So, I intentionally leave some toothiness to it, it gives me a more pleasant shave and it has a chance of lasting for more than 2 shaves. I have 2 GDs, they just work better this way, and I have one 100 yo Solingen, this doesn't apply to it, it's polished to 5k and it's much more pleasent that way. I mean, maybe my stones are crap (they are, definitely, I'm using those guided system small stones), but it's gotta be steel difference issue also?
Matt, you ever play with naniwa 10k super stone? I personally use just about all super stones on razors they seem to work really good. the 10k I feel like gets the razor sharper than the 12k sometimes.
You know, I haven’t Max. I bought the 12K over 10 years ago and it gets on average about 10 passes as a finisher so I’d imagine it will last another 3 lifetimes at that rate. I know the 12 hits way above its league, like what I’ve seen from the 20K Suehiro so I’d imagine the 10K would be plenty adequate as a finisher and I could see some liking the feel better.
How does that Norton 8k compare to the Japanese stuff? I've never owned any Norton products. I'm sure it's a good stone, I just assume it's courser than a Japanese 8k. I'm wondering how it compares to the a shapton 5k or 8k? I feel like it's probably about the same as the 5k shapton?
I used to have a Shapton 8K but I broke it and went to my Norton. The Norton is every bit as fine as the 8 and actually, from the look of the edge under the scope, it's more like a 10K stone. It's under rated in it's grit rating.
Hey man! Love your videos! I’m a knife maker and have recently started dabbling in forging straight razors. Was wondering if I could send you one to get your thoughts on it! Not sure the best way to contact ya!
Hey dr Matt any news on hart razors ? I have an older one took me a lot to flatten out but shaves great are they still making them ? Thanks best regards
@@LeonidasGarcia08 - get a dedicated piece of leather. Don’t put it on your regular strop. Go half a dozen passes on it when you notice the edge start to fade.
happy christmas my friend to you and yours . well unless there is something up with his stone . perhaps not rounded off edges catching on the passes . half an hour on a 5 k indeed . 5 min and if it’s not getting were i want it i know i have done something wrong 🤪🤪🤪😊
Theoretically the steel has nothing to do with the sharpness of the razor. Edge retention is a different matter. The harder the steel (I assume Martensitic structure) the longer the edge will stay sharp. I have taken razors too 30,000 Shapton stone and gotten it wickedly sharp. The shave was uncomfortable. Was it me? I finish with a Nakayama on the 30,000 Shapton and the razor shaves like butter. I cannot figure out why it does that? I am assuming that a bottivle or e s her would be similar. They say all the stones feel different? Can one really tell the feel of a coticule, Escher, jnat, Shapton, chosera, naniwa, fetc….. Somehow, I think it is me, I have got a lot to learn……. Then their is issue of tape?…… grin
![[UA] NAVI vs MOUZ | BO5 | IEM Rio 2024](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/CMBYk0cbGoA/mqdefault.jpg)
What perfect timing. I’m battling a razor that shaves uncomfortably toothy. Thanks Dr Matt.
You make it look easy……sharpening and shaving. Thanks for making these videos Dr. Matt.
Awesome vid, Doc! After all these years you're still doing YOU! Love the videos. Thanks soooo much.
Thank you and you're welcome Mate!
Great videos. I am new to using a straight razor and and appreciate seeing you shave since it shows me I have not been been doing the different directions.
Good vid. I've got a similar setup (Chosera 1k or Shapton 1.5k Pro for bevel, Norton 8k and Nani 12k or vintage coti). I've been battling with a few butterknives (aka GD "razors") and a vintage Wade and Butcher with heavier grind. I can get them to plink off arm hairs, but still the shave-ability is barely passable. I switched to a vintage Sheffield I had, with a hollower grind and that one turns out better but still not what I imagine Keith at Tomo Nagura would call a "pushed" edge. I think you're right, technique has a TON to do with honing, like, 80-90%. You make it look easy, but in reality there's a lot going on in those 6 mins.
Tnx a lot! I'm a newbie in straight razors) Your channel is just amazing!
3:24 So two-handed half strokes, to one handed circles, to X strokes. Fascinating stuff. Trying to restore a vintage straight right now. Going to use this technique. Thanks Doc. ✌️
You're welcome. There's a million ways to do it but that works for me.
Wow, excellent demonstration. Those microscope shots really show the difference.
The sharpening angle is very important! If it is too small, it collapses; if it is too large, it does not cut fine. I was also tormented by a few blades...
Thanks Dr Matt. Clear explanation, affordable material, simple technique, impeccable result, so what else.... Merry Christmas
Great shave indeed. I learn something every time I watch one of your sharpening vids. Thanks Dr Matt!
Dr Matt, I just started using a straight edge razor and it's taking me a moment to really enjoy a shave the way you seem to in this video. I just started watching your vids on sharpening (I just learned you use a 400 stone to prep other stones), and while I have seen other creators on this topic I really enjoy your vids. Thank you
Dr Matt is the man. Watch his old videos and read science of sharp. You'll learn everything you'll ever need to know.
Enjoyed and learned more from your video. It is indeed a simple thing just looking at how you do it. Absolutely motivated to replicate what you do. So, the stones are 5k to 8k to 12k.
Merry Christmas!
Nice work, Dr. Matt! A very informative and enjoyable video, as always! Might be sending you my great grandfather’s old Wade & Butcher. Never done a tapered wedge before, so I might need some help! PS: Merry Christmas!
You have been such a help!! I have a professionally honed gold dollar and I bought a grand slam straight razor. I tested it and it had a wobble I followed your older videos and it took the wobble out and followed your progressions and now it I close my eyes I can’t tell which razor I honed and which one was done professionally. I’ll be getting more razors to work on!! Thanks.
Great to hear and glad you could benefit from the content. Don't know if you thinned the stabilizer but that should probably be done first.
Thank you for the videos! Which microscope do you use? - Thx!
Great video as usual! Thanks for sharing! Merry! 🎄
Dr Matt, what angle do you use to sharpen the razors? Ive tried from 10° down to what ever the 2 layers of super 88 and I can get it to pop hairs.
Strop with green compound worked well for me to avoid hair pulling issue on a 9k edge:
I am very experienced in kitchen knife sharpening, and yesterday I sharpened my first straight razor, a gold dollar, to try SR shaving. When I compared with commercial shavette razor shave, I found my edge was pulling hair quite noticeably. Before the shave test I checked my edge and it looked very clean and consistent under the scope, with the normal 9k polish. Then under the scope I noticed the commercial razor edge is highly stropped on the apex, because the scratch pattern becomes invisible near the apex. So I tried unloaded strop on my straight razor and under the scope I saw it didn't do anything, my 9k stone scratch pattern was still going to the end of the apex. Then I tried with loaded strop, the green compound. A very thin layer of compound didn't so much. But after trying a little thicker layer of compound on the strop, I noticed the amount of light reflection got very similar to the commercial razor, like extra brightly reflecting the led light and scratch pattern started to fade near the apex when I checked on the microscope. I was using some cheap aliexpress kind of digital microscope but it was still very useful. On a leg hair test I saw it wasn't grabbing hair anymore, just like the factory sharpened disposable double edge razor blade. So for me, the last missing step was a loaded strop. Your .5 micron spray is very important in your progression I think. I'll try my newest edge in a few days. Great content, enjoying and learning everytime!
Thank you! Merry Christmas
Great Vid Doc, no surprise there was hone wear after 30 mins on a mid grade stone. Maybe the stone is faulty. I have two Norton 4k stones and one of them is gritty as hell actually unusable
Same here. I have a Norton 4/8 and the 4 side is basically like a 1K. I keep it because the 8k is sooo smooth! I use a Naniwa 3K as the first stop from the 1K now. Haven’t bought anything new or restored anything in a while so I rarely go lower than the 8k these days. Been hooked on the Jnat anyway.
@@adamalbina yes my two are combination stones and the one which is unusable I cut down to a 2 inch so that the 8 k side can be used for X pattern,
Hey Dr. Matt! Thanks for the video! Have a great holiday, buddy!
Great video as always. I just wish I had the proficiency that you do when it comes to the area around my chin. I seem to get more cuts in that area so I use a DE to avoid any further bloodshed. You sharpened a couple of my straight razors a few years back and wow, what a difference.
Hi, He mentioned this a while back to not Press the Blade hard into the Skin, let the blade do the work.
Some People have to wait a few weeks after a Straight Razor Shave to commence another Straight Razor Shave because the Skin is not Callous enough in that particular area of the face.
Thanks Rick and glad you liked the edges!
Merry Christmas Dr. Matt.
Great video Dr. Matt! Definitely something I’ve run into myself. Great tips on dealing with it. Thank you.
I wanted to ask about a particular stone. Have you ever used a Vermont Green stone? I’ve seen it pop up in a couple places lately and I’m curious.
Thank you! I’ve never used the Green stone. Heard good things but never tried one. From what I understand, it’s a type of slate.
I am curious about what stones he used for sharpening?
I have a strop that'll do that to an edge, the horsehide "roughout" by Heirloom. It was so bad that I flipped it over and now use the smooth side instead.
😂
I realize I'm watching old vids but, I've been watching all of you're vids lately. I've noticed alot of green compounds that people are finishing with(after 12-15k stones) green compounds of varying brands. Some are using what looks like generic, brandless green bars. I've been checking grits of the brands that I can find, and three of which were 7m. Green Dialux, Beavercraft, and Hutsuls were all 7m. I saw a guy finish on a 15k(I believe) and then stropped on green Dialux. Think that could potentially be the issue there, or would that have changed his scratch pattern completely? Everyone seems to assume green means 1m or finer, and lots of times it's not.
Perhaps it could be improper surface prep causing his rough edges.
If I did not clean off the stone at some midway point during a 30 min session I'd likely have swarf/small metal particles remaining on the stone which could cause some chipping and scratching.
Could be. I just watched a video of him honing and it looked really aggressive so I think it may have been that too.
Maybe they didn't quite trust the spine of the blade to guide the angle or performed something else that messed up the edge? I can't think from the top of my head what else would cause the whole progression result in a jagged edge.
Guys, speaking now from experience I don’t believe that there is a razor that Dr. Matt couldn’t throw an edge on!
Thanks Bobby and I’m glad you like your razor’s performance. 😁
Hello mate hope your well, been patiently waiting to see you do a DE shave just wondering have you forget and do you still plan on doing it? Absolutely no worries if you can't but I love you shave technique however I am a DE shaver so would just love to see how you shave with a de razor
Doctor, I'm kind of under impression that GDs shave better when I finish with a 1k diamond stone, 3k tops, than when i polish that blade (my finest usable stone is some mud-stone comparable to 5k). So, I intentionally leave some toothiness to it, it gives me a more pleasant shave and it has a chance of lasting for more than 2 shaves. I have 2 GDs, they just work better this way, and I have one 100 yo Solingen, this doesn't apply to it, it's polished to 5k and it's much more pleasent that way. I mean, maybe my stones are crap (they are, definitely, I'm using those guided system small stones), but it's gotta be steel difference issue also?
If that's what feels better to you but I can't imagine a 3K stone would feel better that a 10 or 12.
Matt, you ever play with naniwa 10k super stone? I personally use just about all super stones on razors they seem to work really good. the 10k I feel like gets the razor sharper than the 12k sometimes.
You know, I haven’t Max. I bought the 12K over 10 years ago and it gets on average about 10 passes as a finisher so I’d imagine it will last another 3 lifetimes at that rate. I know the 12 hits way above its league, like what I’ve seen from the 20K Suehiro so I’d imagine the 10K would be plenty adequate as a finisher and I could see some liking the feel better.
@@drmatt357 I use the 20k totally dry! it basically feels like a really hard glazed over stone. Never had much luck with it.
How does that Norton 8k compare to the Japanese stuff? I've never owned any Norton products. I'm sure it's a good stone, I just assume it's courser than a Japanese 8k. I'm wondering how it compares to the a shapton 5k or 8k? I feel like it's probably about the same as the 5k shapton?
I used to have a Shapton 8K but I broke it and went to my Norton. The Norton is every bit as fine as the 8 and actually, from the look of the edge under the scope, it's more like a 10K stone. It's under rated in it's grit rating.
@@drmatt357 Fascinating. Good stuff. Thanks. Also merry Christmas doc.
Bravo doc great vid wtg helping others
You're The Man Johhny B!
is youtube puttin the black bars on the sides and makin the middle video section super small ?? or is that intentional?
For the sharpening sequences I shoot with the camera vertical so yes, that’s the way it looks on YT.
Hey Dr Matt, great video. What was the grit of the first stone?
Looks like a 3k Chosera or Professional.
It's a Shapton Pro 5K
Dr Matt, if you could only own one progression of 5k up to one finishing stone what would they be?
Shapton 5,8, Naniwa 12K Super Stone and a Black Arkansas as a polisher.
Great, as usual! Now, offtopic: could you make a gym tutorial? 🔥🎅
LOL! I keep saying some day I'm going to have a Dude's channel!
@@drmatt357 If you'll do it, let me know and I will subscribe 🤣
Hey man! Love your videos! I’m a knife maker and have recently started dabbling in forging straight razors. Was wondering if I could send you one to get your thoughts on it! Not sure the best way to contact ya!
18:18
Merry Christmas
@@dappershaves - Thank you Frank and same to you.
Hey dr Matt any news on hart razors ? I have an older one took me a lot to flatten out but shaves great are they still making them ?
Thanks best regards
I find the older ones were better. Do you have the 7/8 or 6/8? I can’t find the 7/8 anywhere.
I’ve got the base camp x it’s 6/8
So, years later - p l e n t y of stones and steels later - where would you rank your ILR on a grit scale position?
My opinion hasn't changed. It's in the 12-15K range done without slurry.
Hey matt do those microscope pictures use darkfield or the LEDs?
LEDs
@@drmatt357 interesting. So you are not a fan of the coaxial lighting of your microscope?
Is it mandatory to kill the edge before creating the bevel? I mean, what’s the difference between honing a tired edge as it is and killing it?
Not mandatory. I did it here because it was so jacked.
Thanks Doc… So one can create a bevel even if the edge is rough and not killed? Any difference between the results?
diamond plates will do that if used to finish edge or using very course diamond plte to start and not cleaning edge fsr enough after.
I thought about that but he said he didn't use a diamond plate and even if he did, you'd think half an hour on a 5K would eliminate it.
Hey Matt, so I was wondering if after honing does polishing make a difference in terms of 120 grit polishing paste.
Be more specific when you say polishing. You mean the blade or the edge? Why would you take a 120 grit paste anywhere near your blade?
@@drmatt357 I mean on the edge because I’ve seen many others do it, it’s a polishing paste.
Edit: and if not what polishing paste do you recommend.
@@LeonidasGarcia08 - This stuff - www.chefknivestogo.com/ckcbnsp05mi.html
@@drmatt357 thank you, and would I spray this on the linen or the leather side of the strop?
@@LeonidasGarcia08 - get a dedicated piece of leather. Don’t put it on your regular strop. Go half a dozen passes on it when you notice the edge start to fade.
happy christmas my friend to you and yours . well unless there is something up with his stone . perhaps not rounded off edges catching on the passes . half an hour on a 5 k indeed . 5 min and if it’s not getting were i want it i know i have done something wrong 🤪🤪🤪😊
Exactly!
You have now a completely different appearance as you were in your early videos
At that rate, that guy would go through a normal progression in over 2 hrs.
Yes, I've heard of people taking that long...🤷🏻
ILr vs ark?
Theoretically the steel has nothing to do with the sharpness of the razor. Edge retention is a different matter. The harder the steel (I assume Martensitic structure) the longer the edge will stay sharp. I have taken razors too 30,000 Shapton stone and gotten it wickedly sharp. The shave was uncomfortable. Was it me? I finish with a Nakayama on the 30,000 Shapton and the razor shaves like butter. I cannot figure out why it does that? I am assuming that a bottivle or e s her would be similar. They say all the stones feel different? Can one really tell the feel of a coticule, Escher, jnat, Shapton, chosera, naniwa, fetc….. Somehow, I think it is me, I have got a lot to learn……. Then their is issue of tape?…… grin
3:12 🔪 🍅 💩 😂
Chuck Schumer Shaves
- Chucky Schumer? Did you just call me a fat POS?😆