Thread: Very Humbling Honing Experience: Need Advice

I read your original post again. Add your location to your profile and when you post we can see where you live. Your "expert" might be living right next door.

That's how I met X and he gave me my first honing lesson and got the TEW shave-ready all the way through.

I am living is San Diego right now. Are there any members that live in the Southern California Area?

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I read your original post again. Add your location to your profile and when you post we can see where you live. Your "expert" might be living right next door.

On top of Alan's excellent suggestions, can I just add that you also try the magic marker test?

Get a magic marker and mark all along the edge on both sides. When you hone you will then be able to see both where the marker is being rubbed off and how quickly. It can help diagnose some problems. (Any excess marker that gets on the blade itself can be wiped off with alcohol, if, like me, you're no good at colouring in... )

James.

This is a very good idea! Two quick questions: Does the marker stay on the blade even though the Norton is very wet, and does the magic marker wipe off the stone easily? One more question that comes to mind: Where do you buy a magic marker? I haven't used one since I was a kid

Originally Posted by Jimbo

On top of Alan's excellent suggestions, can I just add that you also try the magic marker test?

Get a magic marker and mark all along the edge on both sides. When you hone you will then be able to see both where the marker is being rubbed off and how quickly. It can help diagnose some problems. (Any excess marker that gets on the blade itself can be wiped off with alcohol, if, like me, you're no good at colouring in... )

James.

Straight razor shaving is supposed to be like a scavenger hunt. You can't just ask where to get the stuff . . . OK, I'll tell you, but just this once; you can get them anywhere from Target, Kmart, Staples, whereever. I don't use this test but I don't think you'll have any trouble getting the marker off the stone.

Wal-Mart or just about any store like that would have markers.

The marker stays on the blade just fine until you wipe it off with alcohol. It doesn't seem to embed in the stone very much, and even if it does it'll come out next time you lap the stone. You have to do that from time to time anyway.

Good luck,
Josh