Thread: Few questions I should've asked before my purchase

Ah thanks for the info. I was going to go with Taylor of Old Bond Street (Mr. Taylor). I'll check out Colleen's line. I realized the honing station that comes with the Norton isn't that great, so I'm gonna have to build my own. I have a design in mind, and now it's just a matter of materials (suggestions?).

I'm a bit weary of ebay... Especially used items on this particular subject. I really don't feel comfortable with using a razor, strop, or hone that someone else has used. It's probably safe, but that's not why I feel uncomfortable about it. It's simply because it went to someone else's face. For some odd reason, that sends shivers down my spine.

As for having someone else sharpen it. On a lot of matters I tend to lean towards the DIY. For me, honing is one of those DIY sort of things. I'm sure Lynn makes a very nice, sharp edge (I've seen tons of recommendations and comments about Lynn sharpening razors), but I'm gonna just jump right into the honing. That's just how I tend to do things, I'm weird like that. I wrap my brain around the subject as much as possible, and go for it. Typically everything comes out okay. Hopefully nothing will change in this area for me.

Thanks again for all the advice!

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Oh, I'm also sort of curious. What does bay rum smell like? Does it have a really musky smell?

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Oh, I'll share my plans for my honing station. The securing mechanism is going to be just using friction. So I'm gonna have to make it somewhat heavy and increase coefficient of friction at the base (line it with rubber). I decided it's going to be able to sort of feed itself water. At first I was going to install a pump so it could go directly to the stone, but I decided that would be too costly. So instead the inside will just slope to a spout where I can use a cup or something and transport the water back up. I'll run through some calculations tomorrow to help determine what materials to use. Hopefully I'll be allowed to take some things from the mechanics lab to build this for free.

I think for your first Razor you should have professionally hone first so you have a feel how it's suppose to be hone. You can buy a cheap razor online like Ebay and just practice with that. I mean thats what I am doing and I can shaving an practice honing at the same time and I didn't even spend that much. Just a Suggestion

Originally Posted by Berticus

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Oh, I'll share my plans for my honing station. The securing mechanism is going to be just using friction. So I'm gonna have to make it somewhat heavy and increase coefficient of friction at the base (line it with rubber). I decided it's going to be able to sort of feed itself water. At first I was going to install a pump so it could go directly to the stone, but I decided that would be too costly. So instead the inside will just slope to a spout where I can use a cup or something and transport the water back up. I'll run through some calculations tomorrow to help determine what materials to use. Hopefully I'll be allowed to take some things from the mechanics lab to build this for free.

Hones do not need a continuous flow of water to cut effectively. Depending on the type of hone you use the hone will either need to be submerged in water before use or have water spritzed on the top of the stone. If I were you I would send one razor to get professionally honed so you know what a sharp razor feels like and have a standard to shoot for with your own honing. You can purchase another razor to learn to hone on while you shave with your shave ready razor. Honing is definately not rocket science but it does take a while to develop the correct technique and to be able to properly assess the blade sharpness. If you do not have a standard to shoot for you are making your learning curve A LOT steeper. If you want to jump right into honing make sure to read everything you can and be prepared to be frusterated for a while.

All right, I suppose I'll send my DOVO to Lynn for a good sharpening. Thanks for the advice.

I would highly recommend that course of action. Once you have a Lynn honed razor you have a benchmark for what a properly honed (and sharp!) razor is.

Originally Posted by Berticus

All right, I suppose I'll send my DOVO to Lynn for a good sharpening. Thanks for the advice.

That is a very smart move. I don't think that there is anyone who regrets taking this course of action and I am sure that you will thank us after you get your sharp razor back. I definately do encourage you to learn to hone your own razors because it is an extremely rewarding experience, but only after you learn what a sharp razor feels like to shave with.

For the cheap razor, would it be okay to get the "bad brands" as outlined in the critical info thread? Or should I still go for a suggested brand so it more closely resembles what I'd be honing?

Originally Posted by Berticus

For the cheap razor, would it be okay to get the "bad brands" as outlined in the critical info thread? Or should I still go for a suggested brand so it more closely resembles what I'd be honing?

Get one of the recommended razors.


The bad brands are so BAD they generally are unsharpenable even by an experienced honemeister. using that to learn with will only lead to frustration.

When looking for a learning razor you can sometimes get a better deal if you are willing to accept ugly old looking scales with a decent blade. My second best shaver is still wearing a pair of ancient discolored scale with a crack in them but I got as part of a three razor package for $15. It was also the second razor I ever sharpened on my own.

I have a $50 Kamisori letter opener I'll let you have real cheap, but you have to promise to never try to do anything with it other than open letters...

LOL.

Originally Posted by Berticus

For the cheap razor, would it be okay to get the "bad brands" as outlined in the critical info thread? Or should I still go for a suggested brand so it more closely resembles what I'd be honing?

Purchase a few Wipienica razors that Wojtec is selling in the auction forum (there should be a link to his thread). These NOS razors are of very high quality and they are cheaper than most of the "bad brands" in the critical info thread. They take great edges very easily and you won't have to fight through oxidized steel like you would if you purchased an antique razor on ebay.