Printable View
Hey everybody,
I purchased a new DOVO Balckstar and it pulled like mad when shaving. Now at that point I hadnt watched Lynn's video, but now I've watched it and honed my razor. It cut much better, but still not what it could I know. Can I immediately try to rehone it again? How long has it taken some of you to get proficient at honing a razor?
Yes, you can re-hone again. You don't want to know the answer to your second question. On average it takes about 6 months to learn. If I told you how long it took me to learn with all the different types of blades out there you'd either laugh or cry. Lets just say it was an election year when I started, hows that. ;)
Dewey vs. Truman?:( :wQuote:
Originally Posted by AFDavis11
";"
Do just a little more at a time and do a lot of test shaves to fine tune the razor. Your close, just not perfect yet.
Oh your soooooo funny! :)
Don't prematurely age the man...I am certain he is referring to Eisenhower's first term!";"";"Quote:
Originally Posted by Wildtim
By the way, I'm using a Norton 4000/8000 and then my great grandfathers Franz Swaty which does have some nics on the edges. Could those nics be doing damage. I also picked up 5 different starights from antique shops and paid total of 50. I've tried honing two of those but I think they need more luvin care than just a hone.
Yea, we need to change the topic. The nicks probably are not causing any damage.
Since you have access to a Swaty, my favorite tool for this, here's what I would do. Since the razor is shaving, just not comfortably or well, I start at the sink. I lather up with my favorite lather, Take the razor and give it about five slow passes on the wet Swaty, then take one short swipe down my cheek, paying close attention to my technique. If the razor doesn't feel great, I do three strokes on the Swaty and then another short stroke on my cheek with identical technique. I repeat this until the shave is very close and the razor cuts easily. At this point the shave is really close but the razor feels usually feels a tad harsh. This harshness will be fixed on the strop at this point (my normal forty laps or so) then I will finish my first shave with my newly sharpened razor. I'd agree that the nicks on the stones edge wouldn't be any problem.
Yes, that worked well for me and Ike. :o
LOL:roflmao :roflmaoQuote:
Originally Posted by AFDavis11
Thanks much to all, I'll fine tune this thing yet. I just hope it doesnt take me till the next election year:D
Yes, you can hone it to a shave ready edge. Factory edges aren't usually shave ready. They're particularly bad around the curved toe of the blade. It won't take you long to learn how to hone if you use magnification to look at the edge before you start honing and then after around 20 strokes to see what you've done. I recommend the Radio Shack Illuminated Microscope for around $10 for this job. It goes from 60x - 100x and the light comes from above so it will show you the edge. Check my Honing How To section for other information. You'll need a finishing stone like a belgian coticule and a leather strop. Honing isn't difficult but you do have to pay attention.
So, I spent quite awhile "finetuning" and I think I got it still better. Shaved my neck for the first time today afterwards(only been doin my cheeks) but it still seemed to pull especially on the neck area. And I still cant successfully perform the hair test. Since this was new, am I just a slow learner or is this to be expected?
Don't worry, it just takes some time. A little bit of patience and practice will get that razor as good as it can be!
Thanks again everyone, I'll work at it.