Thread: Newbie is ready for his first shave. Finally!

Yes, I’m a one week old newbie. That said, I have learned a lot about the art in a very short time. Enough time to realize I should have spent more time here than filling my shopping cart. Last weekend I bought a DOVO and more recently, a Filarmonica which I just received Wednesday. Got to say, Classic Shaving.com is a great place to do business with.
I have not yet done a full shave with either as I soon realized, after a few swipes on the right cheek, that these razors are not shave ready. I then did further research and today, I went to my local Woodcraft store for a Norton 4k x 8k combo-stone (It was on sale for 65 bucks). I just finished honing and stropping them when I decided to sit down and write this. Before I did anything, I dragged both razors over my thumbnail to feel its edge. The DOVO felt very consistent where as the Filarmonica felt like dragging a miniature wood saw over my nail. I honed the “Fily” with 4000 and then the 8000. Did the nail test and what a difference! I gave the DOVO an 8k treatment and that has improved its edge too. Tomorrow morning, I’m going to put the DOVO to the test. I will post my results afterwards.
One thing I have to say is that I am no stranger to honing. I do a lot of woodworking and cooking so keeping a keen edge on my tools and knives is important to me. I have never felt it necessary to go any further than a 4k hone for that purpose. I have had a lot of success honing knives (freehand) so, I am looking forward to see how my honing skills relate to the razor where you basically, lay it down on the stone and move it along the length with very little pressure if any. It was actually quite easy. But the real test will be tomorrow morning!

Venture on my friends!

hello and welcome---it sure helps to have some experience with honing--i am just getting started and i suck royally--trying to hone my dovo but getting nowhere
i have asked around but noo one has made it quite clear if the 4/8k norton is enough or does the coticle make all the difference in the world????


well good luck

Hey RaZor...
Being I'm new at this razor stuff too and this was my first time going to an 8k hone for anything, I have no idea how a coticule will do. From what I have read here, it is a fantastic stone but, expensive. As it was, Woodcraft offers the Shapton professional line but it was just a little too steep in price in comparison to the Norton. I have always had good results with the Norton stones but if I am going to move up, I will make the big jump to the Coticule before they are all mind out.

Congrats! Don't get discouraged or encouraged by tomorrows shave. If its not great just work on more/better honing. Test shaving is key and part of the "research" that needs to be accomplished, especially in the beginning.

Originally Posted by raZor

hello and welcome---it sure helps to have some experience with honing--i am just getting started and i suck royally--trying to hone my dovo but getting nowhere
i have asked around but noo one has made it quite clear if the 4/8k norton is enough or does the coticle make all the difference in the world????


well good luck

let me make this as clear as possible: THE NORTON 4/8K IS ENOUGH.

Now, the Coticule may give you a smoother-feeling edge (which I really appreciate) but, again, the Norton combo is enough for a great shave. The Coticule will probably improve the feel but is not a magical solution and will not make ALL the difference in the world

Good luck
Ivo

Well, I had my first shave this morning. I did everything by the book, the shower, the hair conditioner, the presoak of the brush and the proper lather creating technique I learned from this forum.
The shave went very well! I was surprised how quickly and effortless it was to remove a 3 days growth of beard! Mind you, I did spend some time honing and stropping my new DOVO. Had I not, I’m sure it would have been a lot different. Just one nick, which I somewhat expected… damn pesky mole! Perhaps that I am now using a straight, I can rid myself of it altogether one day. LOL. After shaving, I rinsed with good cold water. I was amazed that I was able to shave so closely the first time. The only downside was a bit of irritation at the jaw line and neck which was quickly remedied with the application of some Neutrogena Face and Aftershave lotion I picked up for just this occasion.
One thing I am sure of at this point is that I am in no way a honemeister, but given my knife and tool honing skills thus far and the fact I have never honed anything so precise as a DOVO razor, I think I did pretty good.
Now my quest will be to practice my honing skills and to keep shaving to see how I am progressing. I think I will get another razor or send in my Filarmonica which I have had no success honing, and let the experts have at it. Then I will have a razor for reference to my own skills.
All in all, it was a good day! I am somewhat proud of myself but it would not have been that way without this great forum and the members in it!

Thanks all!