Thread: New member need help with honing!

Hi I have a Dovo 'Carpe Diem' which is about 9 months old and it's lost its edge I've been looking into starting honing but have no clue where to start. What equipment I need or technique etc. any help is appreciated. Thanks

P.s. Does the fact that it's a full hollow blade mean you need a certain technique or hone?

Marc

I won't give you any advice myself since there are a lot of people here who will do the job a million times better. But what I will do is recommend Lynn's and gssixgun's honing videos.
Lynn Abrams - YouTube
gssixgun - YouTube
That is a good place to start.

@Ludvig I'll be sure to check them out thanks mate.

Originally Posted by MarcPhoenix

@Ludvig I'll be sure to check them out thanks mate.

I got Lynn's DVD and he does a great job of going through the steps of honing. In pretty good detail also. I've just recently been honing razors in the past two months or so myself. What I have noticed is the people who have been doing it a long time have a very simple routine. Two (maybe three) stones and a strop (or two). After the razor is shave ready it's not too difficult to keep it that way. But once it gets dull it takes more time and knowledge it seems. It is not rocket science though even though it does take time to develope a technique and delicate touch. Finishing up with EXTREMELY light pressure seems to be the real key. Such a light touch that it's hard to imagine anything is being done. But it is. I'm getting a razor shave ready now but I bought a shave ready razor and the edge on it was a bit "crisper" if that makes sense. Good luck. Honing is relaxing to me. And don't forget to just enjoy it.

Jack

If you're getting the hone soon, may as well play with the razor on it before sending it out. This way you'll get some idea about the strokes and the feel and a tiny bit of practice. You most likely won't be able to get it sharp, but then somebody else will fix that for you.
The idea is to just practice a little bit and see what it takes to keep the razor flat on the hone, consistent strokes and uniform pressure.

Since it's 12k you won't damage the razor (i.e. I wouldn't recommend this if it were a 1k hone because they eat steal very, very fast, but the naniwa 12k is no problem).

Jack - Yeah I'm really looking forward to learning how to do it, I absolutely love shaving with my razor so I'm sure I'll enjoy this too. One of the videos I watched that another user recommended was really good but the guy made it look so simple, it probably is to those with experience lol

Gugi - yeah I did think that but I wasn't sure if it would ruin it. Now that you've cleared that up ill definately give it a go. Thanks man.

Can anyone recommend a decent strop or is that a silly question? The one I have sucks it came free with a cheapie razor. My dish and brush are both similar to the scales of the carpe diem, like dark wood so I'd like a strop that has a wooden handle also, any suggestions?

Greetings, Marc.

If that blade is 9 mo of your own use - it makes sense to test the waters of honing. As with any other discipline that takes skill & 'feel' in the hands - your first efforts may be less than perfect. The reason I mention this is to pose the question - do you want to make all your first learning mistakes on that nice a razor?

Maybe a humble but sound ugly duckling or two would allow your mistakes w/out taking a chunk out of your pride in that Dovo. The duckling, by nature, is low cost.

The most important part being that the bevel is sound and parallel to the spine. Straight edge (no smile), at least 5/8, at least 1/2 or full hollow.

The details on recommended stones, etc are everywhere. Glen's Naniwa progression vids are wonderful.

*Strong* recommendation *against* buying some fleabag or antique store blade. This may sound counter-intuitive, but the point is to have a sound blade on which to learn. After you can reliably get a nice shaving edge on a sound blade - then take on the rescue blades. This way you get a feel in your hands for what its supposed to feel like when things are going right. The resto blades will really hold your skill advancement back.

@pinklather okay I'm following everything except ugly duckling lol, I would much prefer to get my wings with a cheaper razor than to ruin my dovo but would I still benefit from honing an already shave ready edge? I just want to get back to using my dovo if I'm honest lol would you suggest having an already skilled person do it whilst I practice on the cheaper blade?

Originally Posted by MarcPhoenix

@pinklather okay I'm following everything except ugly duckling lol, I would much prefer to get my wings with a cheaper razor than to ruin my dovo but would I still benefit from honing an already shave ready edge? I just want to get back to using my dovo if I'm honest lol would you suggest having an already skilled person do it whilst I practice on the cheaper blade?

This is quite advisable,
just make sure your practice blade is indecent shape as as well.
Honing on a blade with serious geometry issues is not a good way to start it can be very frustrating.

@pfries yeah I was planning on buying a cheaper shave ready razor to practice on but I'm unsure I'm actually going to get a feel for it if it's already shave ready? Would I need it to be "unsharp"?