Thread: Honing Service in Finland or Europe

Hello to everyone.

First of all, i am a beginner in the world of straight razors. Few days ago i got my new Böker King Cutter (that is my second, my first was a 20 euro razor from amazon) it was quite sharp at the beginning but the problem began when i first stropped it. I mean atleast i THINK i know how to strop (steady and slow, rolling on the spine, no pressure etc.) but the blade just keeps getting duller and duller. I had the same problem with the 20 euro razor (i only bought it for practice and thought it is because of the cheap chinese metal).

Anyway, i think it is time that an experienced guy would take a look and do whatever necessary.

I know that there is a "Members Service" thread but i hoped to find someone closer to me

All the best to all of You

Maybe PM some of these guys in your general area Sailor, Str8fencer or Zephyr maybe even Birnando if hes still around. I don't think they hone professionally but i'm sure someone can can point you in the right direction.

I know a member here who lives in Finland and knows how to handle a coticule.
Will get back with his username, as I can't remember it...

edit: try Pithor

Thank you Razorfaust and decraew, i will give it a try

Hi and welcome. Sounds like you still ad the factory edge which probably wasn't very good. Do try for a meeting with a member sure that they could help with stropping etc also. Would cut the learning curve and make sure you are on the right track

Originally Posted by eddy79

Hi and welcome. Sounds like you still ad the factory edge which probably wasn't very good. Do try for a meeting with a member sure that they could help with stropping etc also. Would cut the learning curve and make sure you are on the right track

That would explain why it kept getting duller. But i am still not sure how much did i "helped", i've watched nearly every video on stropping on youtube, read a bunch of instructions, also practiced with my first cheap chinese razor and i was really gentle this time with the new one.

Most guys take a year or so before they actually improve an edge from stropping, it goes like this, in the beginning you normally dull the edge, then you get better and you can keep an edge decent, then you get to the stage of your stropping not only maintains it can improve an edge. You need to relax this takes time to learn, all the videos won't make you have that needed experience, plus you still don't know how to shave yet,mand that can dull blades, hang in there. Tc

If you didn't buy the razors shave ready, they may well be sharp, but not sharp enough. If you buy a shave ready razor you should not need to strop it before your first use. That is always a good barometer as you will know if it has changed since your first shave once you do strop it.

I am in the UK and use a website called theinvisibleedge.co.uk he hones the razors before they go out, so you will never get a factory edge from him. He also offers a honing service which I have used and works very well and he ships internationally. I am not endorsing nor am I affiliated with this website, just saying what worked for me, maybe there is a similar service closer to where you live.

Buying a shave ready razor is very important when you are first starting out.

Originally Posted by Porl

If you didn't buy the razors shave ready, they may well be sharp, but not sharp enough. If you buy a shave ready razor you should not need to strop it before your first use. That is always a good barometer as you will know if it has changed since your first shave once you do strop it.

I am in the UK and use a website called theinvisibleedge.co.uk he hones the razors before they go out, so you will never get a factory edge from him. He also offers a honing service which I have used and works very well and he ships internationally. I am not endorsing nor am I affiliated with this website, just saying what worked for me, maybe there is a similar service closer to where you live.

Buying a shave ready razor is very important when you are first starting out.

That's the place where i ordered it. I didn't stropped it before the first shave, the blade felt like it should be maybe a little sharper because i could feel some pulling. After the shave i stropped it on the paddle, 20 on the fabric and 20 on the leather.

I also noticed a few very tiny "rust" marks on the blade right out of the box

Originally Posted by marx5002

That's the place where i ordered it. I didn't stropped it before the first shave, the blade felt like it should be maybe a little sharper because i could feel some pulling. After the shave i stropped it on the paddle, 20 on the fabric and 20 on the leather.

I also noticed a few very tiny "rust" marks on the blade right out of the box

The tugging could be your technique, I found the same thing at first. The problem I was having was too much pressure, you really don't need any pressure at all. Poor technique can also dull the blade.

I am really surprised to hear that the razor was marked, that has just not been my experience at all. I am sure that if you talk to Adam he will want to sort that out for you.