Thread: New guy from WV

Originally Posted by chrislipscomb

Thank you all for your welcoming comments and your suggestions. I am planning to purchase the strop and some good stones in the future as you have suggested. For now, I come to the straight razor as a result of learning to sharpen knives in general. I view the razor as the ultimate edge. I was disappointed when I first learned that a fine grit stone in an advertisement was considered coarse to knife makers. I thought I was getting a great setup when I reached the 400 grit stone only to find out that the guys who really have sharp knives start with 1000 grit only if their knives need new edges. Bummer. Now I have to get new stones... Well, it will take me some time to get where you are now, but this time I will purchase my way backwards from a good strop, to a 12,000 grit stone to probably a 4000/8000 stone as I am able. This will allow me to tackle all of the knives and razors I use. I do not know what to do with my almost useless Gatco set (unless I can sell it to buy the better stones), except to hold on to it for ... who knows what. I am really enjoying what I am learning, and I am making use of some no money suggestions like cardboard, newspaper, old belts and such. Doing this I have been able to achieve the tree-top cuts on my arm hairs that I read about ( my left arm has some bald spots), but shaving is not as comfortable as it seems that it should be.

Thanks again, and please have patience with me while I grow.

That's a good choice, a 4k/8k grit stone & a 12k. You might also want to get a 1k for setting the bevel plus if you have a razor that has any very small chips in it, you would want a much coarser grit stone such as a 220 grit. It sounds like you have the right idea though. BTW there is a big difference in knives & straight razors which is why you need the 1k & 4k/8k stones also, not only a 10k-12k. Then when you get where you don't cut an old belt practicing with a razor, you can invest in a good strop. You'll be ok.

Originally Posted by chrislipscomb

Thank you all for your welcoming comments and your suggestions. I am planning to purchase the strop and some good stones in the future as you have suggested. For now, I come to the straight razor as a result of learning to sharpen knives in general. I view the razor as the ultimate edge. I was disappointed when I first learned that a fine grit stone in an advertisement was considered coarse to knife makers. I thought I was getting a great setup when I reached the 400 grit stone only to find out that the guys who really have sharp knives start with 1000 grit only if their knives need new edges. Bummer. Now I have to get new stones... Well, it will take me some time to get where you are now, but this time I will purchase my way backwards from a good strop, to a 12,000 grit stone to probably a 4000/8000 stone as I am able. This will allow me to tackle all of the knives and razors I use. I do not know what to do with my almost useless Gatco set (unless I can sell it to buy the better stones), except to hold on to it for ... who knows what. I am really enjoying what I am learning, and I am making use of some no money suggestions like cardboard, newspaper, old belts and such. Doing this I have been able to achieve the tree-top cuts on my arm hairs that I read about ( my left arm has some bald spots), but shaving is not as comfortable as it seems that it should be.

Thanks again, and please have patience with me while I grow.

Honing knives is just the thing that led me to SR's. I have found some differences between the two. For instance the tomatoes never complain when the knife blade doesn't feel smooth.
Having the one razor professionally honed has expedited my learning to shave as well as my learning to hone. I can't say enough about that.

Hi and welcome. If planning to buy stones you will also need a lapping medium to keep your stones flat. This is especially true if using the stones on knives as well. The atoma plate and the dmt d8c are popular choices for lapping. The d8c is also good for use as a lower grit stone when you need bigger chips out or major edge work. Good luck with everything and any questions feel free to ask

Originally Posted by eddy79

Hi and welcome. If planning to buy stones you will also need a lapping medium to keep your stones flat. This is especially true if using the stones on knives as well. The atoma plate and the dmt d8c are popular choices for lapping. The d8c is also good for use as a lower grit stone when you need bigger chips out or major edge work. Good luck with everything and any questions feel free to ask

Thank you! I forgot to mention that as well. All new honing stones, need lapping. They don't come ready to use. I'm actually mentioning this to chrislipscomb.

Originally Posted by chrislipscomb

Thank you all for your welcoming comments and your suggestions. I am planning to purchase the strop and some good stones in the future as you have suggested. For now, I come to the straight razor as a result of learning to sharpen knives in general. I view the razor as the ultimate edge. I was disappointed when I first learned that a fine grit stone in an advertisement was considered coarse to knife makers. I thought I was getting a great setup when I reached the 400 grit stone only to find out that the guys who really have sharp knives start with 1000 grit only if their knives need new edges. Bummer. Now I have to get new stones... Well, it will take me some time to get where you are now, but this time I will purchase my way backwards from a good strop, to a 12,000 grit stone to probably a 4000/8000 stone as I am able. This will allow me to tackle all of the knives and razors I use. I do not know what to do with my almost useless Gatco set (unless I can sell it to buy the better stones), except to hold on to it for ... who knows what. I am really enjoying what I am learning, and I am making use of some no money suggestions like cardboard, newspaper, old belts and such. Doing this I have been able to achieve the tree-top cuts on my arm hairs that I read about ( my left arm has some bald spots), but shaving is not as comfortable as it seems that it should be.

Thanks again, and please have patience with me while I grow.

Knives vs Razors

I was a meat cutter for several years and I will tell you straight out that the difference between 'sharpening a knife' and 'honing' a razor is as different as black and white!!

IT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT WORLD!!! As you've found what a person sharpening a knife would consider a 'finisher' (1K) we call a bevel setter.

Please take your time, go slow! Every Thing about this 'Art' involves Patience!!!

Honing can wait! Get the 'Basics' Down Pat!!! Just ask pinklather/a Mentor/why he chose that 'handle'!!!!! I'll give you a 'hint' what color do you get when you mix red blood and white lather? :shrug

When the time comes to learn to hone PM me and I'll do everything I can to help you. It might be links to videos or talking to you on the phone or emails what ever it takes.

Sanfte Rasur, mein Klingenbruder!

(Smooth Shaving My Brother In Blades)

I am a few weeks in now. I started making wtg passes only, then finishing with the disposable. I committed to not going back to the disposable so I would not get lazy. I have found that I am getting lost in my happy place while shaving lately. There have been frustrating days, but I love mastering difficult spots. It is enjoyable to feel more confident each day with the blades. I have three razors now which must last me until I master this art. I had to partially restore the Boker King Kutter I got from ebay for $37. I had to remove chips and put a new bevel on a $7 Day & Holland ebay find. This razor would not take an edge without two layers of tape on the spine. The third was a $15 W. M. H. Greavemeyer that was actually shave ready from ebay. I have finished all three with lapping film, and now I maintain them with a barber's hone and an old belt with some rouge in the suede side.
Yesterday I was too short on time and had to use the disposable. I was encouraged to find that I am now getting a better shave with the straights. This is a great way to start a day, and I look forward to trying new soaps as time passes.
Thank you all for making this forum so useful.

Great success today! I have been trying to adjust angles to reach the area under my jawbones. I also am working on more comfort. I achieved both today. I attribute this to a different honing regimen. I found that my razor was sharper off of my Messerstien hone than after the belt strop. I will not argue with with you about the quality of my strop or technique. I am obviously missing the mark there.
I have tried a few circular motions with the hone before shaving, and the shave has improved dramatically. I used the Grevemeyers today with the Van der Hagen soap. Even after the lather was shaved away, I was able to shave around my chin wtg with very short and light strokes until I could not hear any more whiskers and had no irritation. I also skipped the first wtg pass on the sides and neck without irritation. I also shaved a few minutes off of my process! Overall, I feel a little victorious today.