Not rocket science but repetition and feel, we've got MUCH better hones than they did with synthetics. They had the advantage then with the ability to have someone show them how to hone. The long time veterans on here basically relearned the lost art of razor honing



Quote Originally Posted by jeffrx View Post
Back in the old days, I assume guys had to sharpen their own razors. Was this the case? If so, there was no youtube, no SRP, etc to assist. We have been given so many advantages with sites like this, youtube videos, and other forms of instruction. It seems to me that if they could do it back in the days before safety razors, we should be able to handle honing. I have not honed yet as I am a total newbie, but am I off base here? Is honing something that a reasonably intelligent newcomer should be able to handle if they buy the proper stones (such as Naniwa set for example) and some cheap razors (Gold Dollar) to practice on?