Results 1 to 9 of 9
Like Tree12Likes
  • 5 Post By Robeth
  • 1 Post By RezDog
  • 1 Post By pathology101
  • 1 Post By RezDog
  • 2 Post By pathology101
  • 2 Post By WildWest74

Thread: Serendipitous Sharpness

  1. #1
    Member Robeth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    USA, Georgia - The Big A
    Posts
    33
    Thanked: 5

    Default Serendipitous Sharpness

    Good Day Gents,

    As a relative newb straight shaver, and a full-blown newb honer, I wanted to share an experience today that was especially refreshing. After getting my first ever straight for Christmas last year (Ralf Aust) that was Shave Ready from SRD, I immediately rolled the edge on my new strop. I knew that since I was eventually going to need to be able to hone my own blade, there was no time better than the present to get started. SRD offered a free honing with my new blade, but I didn’t have anything to whittle with if I sent it off, so I decided to get myself a backup plan. I ordered my second razor, a “sight unseen” razor from Whipped Dog, for something shave ready to compare with my attempts at honing.

    Like some others I have read about on SRP, I watched videos, read posts, and tried to educate myself as much as possible before beginning. I purchased a Norton 8K/4K from a local woodworking shop and thought about things a little longer. I finally took the plunge and tried my hand. I don’t know how it happened, or what I did, but somehow I came up with a refreshed blade that was an acceptable shaver as far as I could tell.

    Flash forward to the present. More recently, I have tried to refresh my blade time and time again, but with lackluster results. I knew there was probably some finer finesse that I was missing, but I wasn’t giving up. Today I decided to try again. I didn’t figure I would need to reset a bevel because that should have been done long ago, so I concentrated on the 8K. After a few X strokes and a few times washing off the stone, I had a revelation of what I had seen on a honing video. The guy suggested that on the final passes of the blade, to dry off the stone with a rag. I had thought it was beneficial to keep the stone saturated throughout honing. So far I wasn’t getting anywhere, so what the hay, might as well give it a try. I dried the stone with my rag. Although there was no water ponded on the stone, the stone was still plenty damp. I took 10 more light laps and “Serendipity Baby,” I got the difference between hunting knife sharp and razor sharp. With the excitement of my newfound technique, I immediately touched up my Whipped Dog the same way, which yielded similar results. I went to the parlor to strop up both straights, then shaved with the Ralf Aust. Truly this was a good shave. No nicks, no blood, just BBS. Now, I know this didn’t happen by accident, but I seem to have been in the right place at the right time to get good results. I’m guessing I have enough time in the mirror to have developed a technique of some sort, so when I got a good edge, I could really get what I wanted, and boy did I. Turns out I not only got my blade refreshed, buy my spirits, my shave, and more.

    I realize a lot of newbs think they are going to pick up straight shaving right off, and that’s fine. Nothing wrong with determination and fortitude, you just have to know what you are volunteering for. I personally was raised to take responsibility for my actions, so I take what I get. But I thought sharing this little tidbit of something I’ve discovered honing might help some other poor slob like me who’s out there going it headstrong alone, determined to pick himself up by his own bootstraps…or razor strop in this case.
    RezDog, jfk742, Thug and 2 others like this.
    If I told you I was a liar, would you believe me?

  2. #2
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Pompano Beach, FL
    Posts
    4,014
    Thanked: 631

    Default

    I have shaved with a straight for over 20 years and always honed my own with no problem. Recently I decided on the last hone before stropping I used a piece of 5/8 glass first with strop paste then without. Made a big difference. Much smoother shave.

  3. #3
    Senior Member blabbermouth RezDog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada
    Posts
    14,383
    Thanked: 4820

    Default

    Every now and then the light comes on and we learn what we have read and or saw. I got great results on the first dozen or so that I honed. Then it all fell apart. I had to find my way to where I thought I was. I am glad you found a way without getting too frustrated. Congratulations!
    Haroldg48 likes this.
    It's not what you know, it's who you take fishing!

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    oswego, new york
    Posts
    277
    Thanked: 28

    Default

    I hope someday to be able to hone my own blades. I am now just going to concentrate on my shave and the fun that goes with it. I envy you men who can hone a razor and shave with it. I use to back in my woodworking days sharpen chisels so well I could shave the hair on my arms with them. I just don't have the same confidence in something I have to put to my face. I guess I better just walk before I run and learn to shave with the SR first.
    Miketig likes this.

  5. #5
    Senior Member blabbermouth RezDog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada
    Posts
    14,383
    Thanked: 4820

    Default

    Interesting point, the principal of sharpening remains the same for all fine edged tools and knives and razors. The techniques varies wildly, however you create a perfect apex, and then polish it and refine the edge to it's highest potential. The technique is where it is a little more tricky. It is certainly attainable, but the process is not everyones cup of tea. If you decide later that you are up for the challenge, going to a meet is a great place to learn. It is one of those things when you watch the many many different peoples videos on honing razors. Each of them have their own technique and process to get the perfect edge, they are all different and they are all correct. That is kind of where things start to get a little confusing, but only if you try to listen to everyone at the same time.
    Euclid440 likes this.
    It's not what you know, it's who you take fishing!

  6. #6
    MJC
    MJC is offline
    Senior Member MJC's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    The Lone Star State
    Posts
    1,710
    Thanked: 382

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by pathology101 View Post
    I hope someday to be able to hone my own blades. I am now just going to concentrate on my shave and the fun that goes with it. I envy you men who can hone a razor and shave with it. I use to back in my woodworking days sharpen chisels so well I could shave the hair on my arms with them. I just don't have the same confidence in something I have to put to my face. I guess I better just walk before I run and learn to shave with the SR first.
    You will be rewarded for your patience and caution....

    I was a long time "hand tools only" Chairmaker - and honing razors starts where other tools end. There are great threads on touch up and Maintenece (Crox, Diamond etc) and working with a Barbers Hone or the (beloved by many of us) 12K Naniwa.

    Like shaving with a Straight, it is a fine motor skill and it will come to you if and when you decide you need it.
    Don't pass up on a chance to go to a meet or work with a mentor.

    And Smooth Shaving...
    Support Movember!
    Movember https://mobro.co/markcastellana?mc=1
    SRP Team USA https://moteam.co/srp-usa?mc=1

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    oswego, new york
    Posts
    277
    Thanked: 28

    Default

    I will start honing my own razors I cant resist not to. I just made the promise to myself not to do any honing until I have been shaving with a straight for a year. That way I will know what I need and want to start with as far as tools and stones aand all the other things involved. I will study up on things concerning and get informed before I start. I just want to walk before I run.

    Hey you wouldn't want to drive down the highway with loose lug nuts.
    MJC and RezDog like this.

  8. #8
    Greenhorn WildWest74's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Virginia Beach
    Posts
    33
    Thanked: 1

    Default

    Great insight. I am taking the sacrilegious route of honing on lapping film on marble tiles. Less outlay for me, but some seriously sharp results.
    JeffR and Euclid440 like this.
    ~Jim West, Desperado, Rough Rider~

  9. #9
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Diamond Bar, CA
    Posts
    6,553
    Thanked: 3215

    Default

    So, I doubt the water, or lack of, had anything to do with your success. Most probably you were just paying more attention and used less pressure on a razor edge that was already “close”.

    Most folks do not realize how fine and fragile, the edge of a razor is, and how easy it is to screw it up. And that is one of the big differences between sharpening tools, knives and razors. That and the comfort thing, for razors it is not just about sharp… The goal of razor honing is to get a repeatable result which considering all the variables, can be a challenge.

    Nothing wrong with film, do whatever gets you a shaving edge. Quality film is much more uniform than most finish stone and capable of producing a very straight edge quickly and at very high grits.

    Try a piece of copy paper under 1um or .03, film for your final laps for comfort, and finish on a lapped piece of glass. Most marble and granite, I have tested is not flat and or pitted which will affect film performance. Glass can be lapped very smooth and flat with a diamond plate, improving results.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •