Thread: Does size matter or am I not so hot at honing?

Hey guys, I'm new to the boards and wanted to say hi, tell my story a but and ask a question or two in relation to my experiences.

I started straight shaving in 2013 with a dovo fortunado 5/8 blade. It did not come anywhere near shave ready so I dived in and bought a naniwa set from 5-12k and started experimenting with honing and tearing my face up. Eventually I was able to hone pretty decent in my estimation. I was able to get the blade to pop hairs off my arm like I was cutting wheat in a field and it had a very audible pop with each one. Considering the blade was full hollow I assume that's part of the "singing blade" mystique and part of the blades feedback. When it came to shaving it was always crisp and smooth on the sides of my face but it was the worst experience ever when it came to the mustache and chin. It felt like I had grabbed tweezers and manually pulled every hair out.

Eventually I gave up trying to hone and shave with my straight and switched back to disposables. But the bug had bit me and I couldn't stop wondering. So I decided to test whether or not my honing wasn't up to par as I suspected and went to a Barber that does straight razor shaves and had the Barber address my 2 days of growth with the proper prep and a brand new blade on his feather equivalent razor.

.... He had exactly the same results with his new blade, hot towels, lather and years more experience that I did with my dovo. In fact he cursed a few times and said I had a really thick beard lol. I was red and got some razor burn for a few days after.

Not wanting to give up I decided to try a larger blade with a stiffer grind and see how that worked. I purchased as a Xmas present to myself a Hart Steel 7/8 custom with barbers notch and satin finish made by Tim VanNorman (I believe his first name is tim at least). And I have to say that it was the most amazing shave I have ever had. I focused on letting the weight of the razor do the work and it literally melted the hairs off my face with absolutely zero discomfort.

So my question is does the size truly matter or do disposable straights and my honing lack where it matters? I'm tempted to have the dovo sent out to be professionally honed and see if that improves things but I'm kinda reluctant to do so since a sharper disposable blade and a shave from a professional Barber with 30+ years of experience were just not right in comparison to the Hart.

Any thoughts?

I think given the explanation of the type of beard you have that in your case the grind may be more important than the size of the razor. It looks like heavier ground blade will work better for you. With such small sample set of razors it is hard to really tell, at least for me.

Beard strength/ stiffness and pattern can make a huge difference in a shave and the type of razor that works best. I use most anything I have and have honed. I have found the heavier, stiffer, grinds held at the right angle do work better for me regardless of their width.
My beard is sparse and wiry and grows at all different directions so a blade must be able to work at all angles and positions. Sometimes the wedgy razors with a wider bevel work very well because they are sometimes held at a wider angle to the skin..
So you are not alone in wondering about razor types.
Have Fun!
~Richard

I wanted to post a slight correction, the Hart was made by Terry VanNorman. So I apologize for the mistake. Also it is a 1/4 grind.

Thanks for the responses so far. It was surprising to me that the quality of shaves is so vast between the two that I can't help but wonder if it's actually a variable that's throwing my shaves off.

Hi & welcome to SRP. I have a message I usually send with links but I'm not home now so when I get home, I will send it.. I'm sure someone will send some links like I do though.
Steve

Originally Posted by NearWedge

I wanted to post a slight correction, the Hart was made by Terry VanNorman. So I apologize for the mistake. Also it is a 1/4 grind.

Thanks for the responses so far. It was surprising to me that the quality of shaves is so vast between the two that I can't help but wonder if it's actually a variable that's throwing my shaves off.

There are many variables that can throw a shave off. Grind, size, edge, stropping, lather, beard prep etc. Some hollow ground razors are stiffer than other, so they may work well for you too, but to know you have to try.

Welcome to SRP. By all means send the Dovo out for pro honing. Member services in the SRP classifieds shows members who will hone your razor for a nominal fee. The mustache/chin area is probably, along with areas of the neck, the true test of a shave ready blade. So chances are that Dovo never has been shave ready.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/classifieds

If you want to practice honing pick up a few vintage blades in good condition and practice with them. Use the Hart, and the newly pro honed Dovo to shave with, and as a benchmark to judge your efforts on the practice blades. You'll end up with a nice rotation of shave ready blades, and a skill that is lifelong.

Welcome to SRP. You'll love it here.
Straight Razor Place - Beginners Tips: December 2014
Frequently Asked Questions - Straight Razor Place Library
You will want to buy you a nice straight razor to begin with whether used or new. Beware of used ones not that they are bad but know what to look for like a lot of hone wear on the spine & edge or chips in the blade. Stay away from razors with rust on the cutting edge as that will only result in it chipping more metal off as it is honed. Here is also a list of straights to stay away from:
Brands of Straight Razors to Avoid - Straight Razor Place Library
Here is a list of good brands of razors you will want to own plus there are more than just these out there which you will find out from other members here:
Good Straight Razor Brands - Straight Razor Place Library
If buying a new razor, I suggest you buy one from Straight Razor Designs - Gifts for Men | Straight Razors or SRD. The owner & founder of this forum is Lynn & he is also part owner of SRD. When you buy a straight razor from him, he will personally hone that razor before you get it plus you will get a certificate for another free honing for when that razor needs it which should be a few months. There will be vendors who will sell you a straight razor that is supposed to be shave ready but really won't be. You will most importantly need to know how to strop & you can learn in the Library or here:
Razor stropping - Straight Razor Place Library
You will need to strop your razor before & after you shave. If you buy one from Lynn, chances are you won’t have to strop it before you use it the first time.
You will also need a shaving brush, a shaving mug & some shaving soap. Later it will also do you good to get a second straight razor so that when you send the first one out to be honed, you will have a backup to shave with.
Here is a link to the Library where you will find stropping in there & everything else you will need to know including how to hone:
Beginner's Guide to Honing - Straight Razor Place Library
Also here is Lynns bevel setting video & some of gssixguns honing video's:
https://www.youtube.com/user/gssixgun/videos
Bevel setting on a Chosera 1K taught by Lynn Abrams
Here is another good link to know:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...wers-here.html
Should you have any questions, there are a lot of knowledgable members on here that will be more than happy to help you out. If you want to find someone in your area, you can look here:
Local Help - Straight Razor Place Library
And if you can't find anyone near you, just ask and someone that lives in your are & hopefully they will let you know how to meet up & you can get some one on one mentoring. There is a lot to do on here, just search everywhere on the forum & in the Library. You will spend hours on here & have fun doing it, so there you go, have at it!
Good luck & have fun!
I just went back over all these links & they are all working so far. I hope it continues to do so.
Steve

For me the heavier blade the better I can use it. I can shave with any of them but as a rule the heavier the better for me. I'm like a lot of older folks course heavy and in all directions beard and the stiff heavy blades work better. I use the smaller ones to trim with. use them all and find your preference.

Originally Posted by NearWedge

So my question is does the size truly matter or do disposable straights and my honing lack where it matters? I'm tempted to have the dovo sent out to be professionally honed and see if that improves things but I'm kinda reluctant to do so since a sharper disposable blade and a shave from a professional Barber with 30+ years of experience were just not right in comparison to the Hart.

Any thoughts?

My thoughts are:
1.Yes have the Dovo pro honed to assess your own honing but if a disposable is sharper as you say then your honing may well be one issue.
2. The Hart was properly honed & being a wedge was more forgiving of your shaving technique.
3. Some razors are better than others.