Hi '57,

'Glad you've chosen quality for your shaves. It really is a rush of excitement.

In my excitement, I also tried to learn how to shave with a straight at the same time I learned how to hone. I can't say I'd recommend it to anyone I liked. I'm guessing from your join date that you're new to straight shaving. If that's not true - pls. ignore this post.

You'll see alot of posts that recommend having your early edges honed by a pro. I would tend to agree. My earliest edges that 'shaved' at all - were rather carnivorous. The shaves were a challenge - to stay bloodless. That's why I'm called Pinklather. I bought a new blade that came honed and it flat changed my world -as far as shaving and honing went. It was way more sharp than I'd been able to do - but more - it was SMOOTH. Smooth was a very new attribute for me and I launched on the quest for the magic stone that gave this wonderful edge. That quest wasn't not particularly well aimed either, but that's another story.

I'd recommend the pro edge. But knowing I ignored this advice also, I would strongly urge you to find an experienced person to spend some time with on developing a sound stroke. The sound stroke is alot harder to develope than it sounds. I always remember Lynn describing this to anther new shaver: "when you learn what a 'no pressure' stroke is..." Next, the sound bevel. At this point, you don't have the 'feel' or skills to know what that is, so I'd recommend having an experienced guy (pro or other) set a bevel on a 2nd or 3rd blade so you can know how the blade is supposed to feel when riding the stone normally. Keep one or two blades that have been honed by a pro (or that level of quality) so you have a known standard against which to measure your progress. I paid to have one honed for this purpose & don't regret it.

Next big error for me was thinking I could recognize a blade that was in sound shape at the antique shows or shops. (I don't do fleabay) Avoid these like the plague for now. They involve restoration grinding that you'll master - but not for a while - like 6-9 months.

5 yrs & just under 500 blades honed - I still concentrate on a sound bevel & a sound stroke. I chase the elusive perfect bevel. If you were local, I'd say c'mon over & we'd have some fun w/ the stones. I've done that with at least a dozen guys - many of whom I expect will surpass my skill level. I hope they do and go on to teach many others.

I hope this will not be discouraging, but help you avoid some frustration and blood loss. The skills will come, and you'll be on top of the world when your first decent edges happen. You'll have every right to be proud & I'll be cheering.