Thread: Dad got me a straight razor and I want to hone it

So my dad got me a straight razor for Christmas and I want to try my hand at honing it. I used to shave more but I just had a Dovo Best Quality. Now that I've got a nicer one, I feel I should do more to maintain it. To that end, I'm planning to purchase some hones and some other equipment for honing. I've found plenty of information on which hones are good. What I've found mixed information on is taping the spine of the blade during the honing.

So what's the consensus? Do you tape the blade or not?

-jillybooty

Taping is a highly discussed topic here. A search will yield many many many threads on the subject. There is no consensus on taping, however, there is a bit more of a consensus in regard to beginners and tape.

AT LEAST as a beginner honer, you absolutely should use tape. The spine of the razor is the angle guide for honing. Beginners tend to trash that spine and end up destroying their razors. You can avoid that with tape.

AFTER you become competent, then taping is optional, but it really is the best choice for a beginner.

HERE is a recent thread that is a perfect example of what can go wrong if you do not use tape.

Even though you did not ask for it, I will give hone choice advice anyway.

For a first hone purchase, just for edge maintenance, it is hard to beat a Naniwa Specialty 12k. It keeps an edge nice and sharp and it can be sufficiently aggressive to do a bit of edge repair as well. Alternatively, you can get a simple barber hone to do the same thing.

Add your location. There may be a member close to you that is good with a hone. Ya'll might get together . I tape the spine to keep from scratching the blade and keep the razor looking good. each to his or her own.

here is a link to find members in your area.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/memberlist.php?do=search

Wow, Thank link just blew mw away, How could someone hone like that and not know something was wrong? Scary! and the members serch found someone near me. Hey that was cool. OP, you should check on this!

If you are looking for a consensus on the question of taping the spine or not taping the spine there really isn't any. You might want to read this http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...-theories.html . If you are asking if I do then the answer is yes simply because it can't hurt anything.

Bob

Originally Posted by Gasman

Wow, Thank link just blew mw away, How could someone hone like that and not know something was wrong? Scary! and the members serch found someone near me. Hey that was cool. OP, you should check on this!

In his defense, he was a beginner and he watched some videos. This was foreign to him and he went too far. He probably kept thinking that he almost had it.

Originally Posted by Utopian

In his defense, he was a beginner and he watched some videos. This was foreign to him and he went too far. He probably kept thinking that he almost had it.

Such is the hazard of distance learning and teaching yourself by trial and error. There are going to be errors. Some of them won't be pretty. My first razor doesn't look much better, but it does shave.

Took me a little too long to realize why you should cant the razor at the beginning of the stroke. Oh well, you live you learn.

Hey Seems Like I Heard This Last Week No Harm Done Using 2" Duct Tape!!!!!!!!!!!!.. No Really My Advice Would Be To Stay Tuned Into The Sight For At Least 2 Weeks Before Buying Anything,, There Are Some Really Great People On Here Maybe Some Are Even Close To You That Are More Than Willing To Help You Out As To Take Your Money!!!!!!!! Good Luck Enjoy The Journey,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Ty

Have you had a shave with the new razor? If it has a tolerable edge you may only need a finisher/polisher to use every now & then for touch ups. No need buying a bevel setting stone until you need one. It's like telling a kid there's a box in your closet he's not allowed to look in. The temptation is just too great. It'll happen before you're ready for it to happen.