Thread: Yet another "First full shave with a straight" Post

Well I finnaly honed my DD Dwarf to a point that I thought I could give it a try. But I'm getting ahead of my self here...

My first Ebite DD Dwarf was in pretty good shape. Tarnished but no rust, and no uneven edge. All in all not to bad. When I did the 3 finger test that Murray Carter uses for his kitchen knives I was a bit shocked. Duller than a butter knife. I mean NADA edge, as if it had been ground off type edge. So I hit the 4k-8k with it to see what I could do. I used Lynns flip flop method on the Norton combi stone to no avail, still super smooth... Soo off to the 1200 King to get an edge on it to begin with. Well I did the full rutine tonight and boy did it get sharp. The 8k polished it up nice.

After a few minutes of putting the stones away I realized I still don't have a strop... DOH!! I dug up the scrap piece of leather, 3"x 4", and slide a few strokes on that. Ok that was enough of that (mental note, GET A FRIGGING STROP), well I ended up getting antsy so I tried the hanging hair test. it bit into the hair and slpit it down the middle... Mmmmm ok 2 more strokes and off to the sink :P Any excuse to use Collens soap

I tell ya I was twisting and turning trying to figure out the best way to get around my long mustach and all. Lynn makes it look so easy, but getting the right angle is a bit of a science. All in all it was a great shave, no cuts and it was just as smooth as the mach 3 I've been using.

One thing I have noticed in this whole new begining thing is this, I pay more attention to the details around me. Many not related to shaving even. I knew this from other part of my life, that I have stepped back from modern times with, Muzzelloading with traditional rifles for instance. Life becomes more enjoyable, and less hectic. I'm sold on this endever and don't plan on going back.

Thanks for the great posts I have learned alot. Unfortunatly, the more I learn, the less I realize I know.

Shawn

Just as smooth as your mach3 you say?
Sounds like you need more practice!

Congratulations!!

Mark Avery

HAHA Hey with out a real strop I think it was a frigging good go at it

I always need more practice, why the heck not huh

"the 3 finger test that Murray Carter uses for his kitchen knives "

Sounds interesting - mind telling me what that is?

Originally Posted by paul_lynch

"the 3 finger test that Murray Carter uses for his kitchen knives "

Sounds interesting - mind telling me what that is?

I'm curious too.

Hold on to your finger tips...

See if I can discribe this correctly...

With you thumb on the spine, and first "3" three fingers (on the same hand) together, lightly place the 3 fingers on the edge. Ever so lightly wiggle your 3 fingers (together) back and forth. Calm down!!! IF YOU FEEL GRIPPING OR RESISTANCE STOP!!! the edge is sharp. remember your not MOVING your fingers on the edge, just checking to see if the edge will grip. If your fingers slide at all the edge is damaged (dull).

Don't do this if you are at all nervous and twitchy. I've done this for years with my kitchen knives. Some I think I could shave with. Your brain will tell you to stop or your going to cut yourself on a sharp edge. I have never cut myself on this test. However your fingers are on the edge, be aware of your surroundings, as if you where already shaving.

Murray Carter does this full expanation in his first knife sharpening video.

Sounds like the thumb-pad test that the razor guys use. nihil sub sole novum.

Thanks; that does indeed sound a lot like the thumb pad test - but with more fingers :-).

Originally Posted by mparker762

Sounds like the thumb-pad test that the razor guys use. nihil sub sole novum.

Yep, except this way, people think you're going to cut three times as many digits!

BTW, you've been on kind of a Latin kick lately, haven't you? I love how you can figure out pretty much any phrase given a minute or two.