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Thread: First shave with a razor I honed myself

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    Member Cenobite's Avatar
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    Default First shave with a razor I honed myself

    So, I'd been straight razor shaving for a couple years, had just the one Thiers-Issard that was serving me just fine. Then, for whatever reason, I got the itch to find another razor or 2 that were vintage. Each time I googled the name of a potential candidate this forum would come up with some really good discussion and supportive atmosphere. It seemed like a good idea to register to make my research easier. After joining I see there's a new member introduction section. Typically on a forum I lurk and maybe post a reply if I have something unique to add, don't typically start a thread, but they're asking me to so what the hell "hi everyone". In that thread I'm informed that there's a meetup nearby very soon. At first I don't really consider it because I don't have much to offer, but eventually I hear there will be beers before noon so I go. There I learn more about honing than I ever thought I would know in my lifetime. I have a couple credit cards that give me Amazon points, so I check and wouldn't you know it, all the hones are there that I would need to get started, so I pick some up. Fast forward to today and I'm shaving with an antique razor that I honed myself.

    Now, to be fair, the shave was not perfect, but it was better than my "shave ready" factory Dovo so I think I'm on the right track, and I'll only get better from here. On the first of this month I had no ambition to hone my own razor, now I have razors* plural and am honing my honing skills (see what I did there?).

    So, thanks SRP, you guys are alright.

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    dinnermint (08-20-2016), Mrchick (08-19-2016), rolodave (08-31-2016)

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    Senior Member blabbermouth Chevhead's Avatar
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    Nothing better than shaving with a razor you honed!

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    Senior Member Longhaultanker's Avatar
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    Congratulations and welcome. Nothing more satisfying than shaving off an edge you honed. Now, go buy another hone.
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    A little advice: Don't impede an 80,000 lbs. 18 wheeler tanker carrying hazardous chemicals.

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    Yep, it sure is I just got back a few razors that I had sent my brother to sell on E-bay, but work got in the way so he sent them back, WOW I had forgotten about a couple of them and it turns out that I had put a very nice edge on a couple, One a cut down Wm. Elliot No. 21 is so sharp it is scary. The other one is a very sharp and is VERY shave ready Royal Keen cutter that's a big 6/8th with a barbers notch. Unreal, I must have had a reaction to my pain meds to give some of them up. I can't wait to shave with them again.
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    Senior Member nipper's Avatar
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    Congratulations. It's a great feeling.
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    Senior Member IndependenceRazor1's Avatar
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    A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
    The purchase of a thousand hones begins with the purchase of your first hone.
    jimmy538 and Cenobite like this.
    My father was an engineer. He used to tell me that sharpening a straight razor is like trying to build a ladder to the moon out of a roll of aluminum foil.

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    Senior Member Mrchick's Avatar
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    Congratulations. I just had the same experience and it is very satisfying. Have fun!
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    Member Cenobite's Avatar
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    Some of the advice that I found particularly helpful, may not be new to many here but perhaps someone else new might be reading:

    Shave test along the way to feel the difference between each stone (not your whole face after the 1k, but an inch on your cheek for example) to understand your progress

    The bevel is everything, if you don't set the bevel you're essentially polishing a turd

    Have a shave with your DE every so often to compare with your edge. Are you getting as close of a shave with your straight?

    Again, I'm sure I'm not enlightening the majority, but these are the things I am finding useful early on that might be of use to others early in the quest

    Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

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    Senior Member Phil129's Avatar
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    Congrats and welcome to the madness. It's a great feeling of accomplishment shaving with a razor that you honed up yourself. I will be using one tomorrow that I honed up yesterday. This place is pretty awesome with the wisdom and support that's offered up. I have yet to make it to a meet but would love to because I hear the same thing you mentioned about honing.
    Happy shaving
    Phil

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
    xiaotuzi and Cenobite like this.

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    Senior Member blabbermouth eddy79's Avatar
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    It truly is a great feeling when you start honing. Congrats on the success. Just beware of the rabbit hole is endless, fun but endless
    Phil129 and Cenobite like this.
    My wife calls me......... Can you just use Ed

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