Thread: Rating razor quality poll

Originally Posted by WW243

All this makes me even more amazed when you find a 19th century razor in your hand that has not been infected by a zombie honer or limped out of the factory with some issues. The improbably level seems high. Further, I wonder how the 'professional' (barbers and surgeons) handled the task of honing in the past, not to mention the Average Joe who tended his own blades.

Hone a few NOS Heavy grinds and it becomes apparent that most of the honing issues came from bad honing over the years They are no harder to hone and they have tiny little even bevels..


As to Honing back in the day

From my research

Most razors came "Proudly" honed from the factory some even claimed hair tested so the average barber and user simply was doing a re-freshen

There was an entire profession "Cutlers" that did the work of the "Pro-Honer" today they did other sharpening also

Other then that I do not have a clue

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Hone a few NOS Heavy grinds and it becomes apparent that most of the honing issues came from bad honing over the years They are no harder to hone and they have tiny little even bevels..

Does that mean I only have to hone a few NOS Heavy grinds to validate the truth of most honing issues have come from bad honing? Or does it mean that I need to hone thousands of NOS heavy grinds like the 4 guys on the planet at this point in time have done?

I don't think it would take that many at all. in fact you can also see it from the ones that have very little hone wear..

But of course the larger the sample the more confident you feel about the theory

I'll use my Greaves as support for your theory. Even a caveman could end up with a small, even bevel. OT, I was shaving with it a couple of days ago and was thinking, 'you know, if I drop this razor or bang it into the faucet, it cannot be replaced!'
I quickly shooed that idea out of my head. Post shave I was reaching into the cabinet behind the sink and knocked my mustache scissors off the shelf and they fell on the ceramic shaving soap dish on the back of the sink and took out a big chip....whoa

Originally Posted by WW243

I'll use my Greaves as support for your theory. Even a caveman could end up with a small, even bevel. OT, I was shaving with it a couple of days ago and was thinking, 'you know, if I drop this razor or bang it into the faucet, it cannot be replaced!'
I quickly shooed that idea out of my head. Post shave I was reaching into the cabinet behind the sink and knocked my mustache scissors off the shelf and they fell on the ceramic shaving soap dish on the back of the sink and took out a big chip....whoa

Whoa the bad karma effect.
I believe that I am a average hobbyist honer.
I have come to the conclusion that attention to detail, plus following the library's advise,plus asking for help and input,going to meets, has made me a better honer. Some blades I struggle to hone.
I know that this site and the people I have (met online) increased my skill set.
Listening and applying have help me tremendously.
Lest we forget the original question "Shave only vs. The Hone"
Can you take lemons and make lemonade?? I make key-lime pie.
I am sure there are other members who do the same.
Make the best of the razor,hone,and your ability.