Thread: First successful hanging hair test

So I'm rather excited tonight. I spent the better part of the evening honing a razor that I picked up at an antique shop for $15. I have been honing razors for about three months now and have been improving my technique, but I never achieved an edge like the one I was able to obtain tonight. I was afraid of over-honing or messing up my razors, some of which are rather expensive. But by not having to worry about messing up an expensive razor, I was able to let myself experiment and try new things and it truly paid off. I plucked a hair from my head and gently ran my razor across it and the hair cut with little effort. Up until 4 months ago I had absolutely no knowledge of straight razors, I just had an interest to use one. But now I can get a good shave with a straight, hone and strop it properly, and even do a little restoration work. None of this would be possible without the help of the wonderful gentlemen on SRP. You guys rock!

Hey hey well done.
What razor, hone or hones?

On one side of the tang it reads: Buckeye B.S. Co. Dayton, O. Made in Germany
On the other side of the tang it reads: Gun Metal

I've never heard of this razor, but I shaved with it this morning and it's amazing.

Oh and I forgot, I used a Norton 4k/8k.

Well done that man!

Congrats! What are you using to hone? JUST THE 4K/8K OR A 12K AS WELL?

What is the preferred method for getting a new razor shave ready. I bought one prior to knowledge of letting Lynn Abrams work on it. I have since ordered another and am awaiting Lynn's work. In the meantime, I have tried my hand on the first one using Norton 4K/8K and the pyramid. I have not been able to get it to pass the hanging hair test. Which pyramid is best to get a new razor shave ready or is there some other technique that I should be using? Thanks in advance for the advice.

Originally Posted by fayettemed

What is the preferred method for getting a new razor shave ready. I bought one prior to knowledge of letting Lynn Abrams work on it. I have since ordered another and am awaiting Lynn's work. In the meantime, I have tried my hand on the first one using Norton 4K/8K and the pyramid. I have not been able to get it to pass the hanging hair test. Which pyramid is best to get a new razor shave ready or is there some other technique that I should be using? Thanks in advance for the advice.

First, understand that I'm still a newb and am still learning myself. More experienced members will undoubtedly have better info for you. But I will explain what I did to get my razor shave ready. As previously mentioned, my razor was bought at an antique shop. This razor has probably not been used in several years and the edge was extremely dull.

So, I began with a 15/15 pyramid, that is 15 strokes on the 4K and 15 strokes on the 8K, followed by 10/10, 5/5, 3/3, 1/3, 1/5. Then I stropped my razor and tested it out. I found that although my edge was much better, it still was not close to where it needed to be. So I repeated the same process beginning the pyramid at 15/15 again. Stropped and tested it and found that it was much better, but still not where it needed to be. So I once again did the same pyramid beginning at 15/15. After this pyramid I did an additional 15 strokes on the 8K, stropped it and found that the edge was exactly where it needed to be. The razor passed the hanging hair test and I did my final test by shaving with it.

Again, this is the process that I used to achieve my edge on a very dull razor. For a razor that is in better condition, in the case of my newly purchased DOVO Blackstar, I began my pyramid at 5/5 followed by an additional 15 strokes on the 8K and this seemed to work good for me.

I found this honing business to be all about experimentation. Trying out different pyramids, finding ways to improve your technique, etc. I hope this helps, perhaps some more experienced members will chime in and give you additional info and perhaps even give me pointers as well.

Best Regards