Sharpening Help

[swayman]

Hey Guys,

I've owned a straight razor for a total of 5 days now & can't wait to get shaving, but I have a problem.

My Fiancee bought me my Straight Razor (A Dovo Solingen) online, they advertised it as "Shave Ready". Seeing as I read a lot of BS on Straight Razors before finding this forum, I think I may have damaged my blade. The first thing I did when I got my straight razor was to try to find info on how to use them, how to sharpen etc.

When I first started researching, I read that I should sharpen before every use. I have a 1000/6000 whetstone & have tried a couple of different sharpening methods to no avail. When last night I attempted to shave, the angle was right, the feeling was right (i think) but absolutely no hair was removed.

My questions are: How do I know if my razor is "sharp enough"
If it is not "sharp enough", how can I get it sharpened?
Could I have damaged my razor badly?

I just feel stupid that I didn't pay my razor the respect it deserved & now may have ruined such an awesome gift.

Thanks in advance for your help guys!

[ben.mid]

Hi,

Don't panic! Anything you may have done can no doubt be resolved.

The 1000 grit would have only be needed if it needed serious work. The 6000 is getting there, but still a little rough.

I use an 8k DMT. It's more aggresive than a similar grit traditional stone. I'm not sure on the general opinion on them yet, but i think they're incredible. Very quick & got the edge ready for stropping in no time. I think a tougher beard may need it taken up a level, but it works well for me.

You say you've tried a couple of sharpening methods. What do you mean by that? The blade needs to be sharpened at the same angle each time. This is governed by the contact of the edge & the spine on the stone.

Do NOT use the stone prior to each shave! It will rarely need the stone, & usually just a gentle touch up every few months. More often than needed & you're wearing the razor away unnecassarily.

You haven't mentioned a strop. This is essential before each shave. It doesn't sharpen in the sense of material removal, but alignes the edge, allowing it to cut smoothly.

There are certain tests to help you to know when your razor should be able to give a good shave (Hanging Hair Test, Wet thumbnail etc), but the only real test is the shave itself.

The best thing would be for a trusted honemiester to prepare the razor for you. That way you can know how it's meant to shave & set yourself a benchmark. Without this you are just guessing at how it should behave. I wouldn't know where to find one in Oz though, i'm afraid.

Personally, i didn't take my own advice, but prepared a secondhand stainless razor myself. I am, however, a carpenter & have a decent knowledge of sharpening. There's some great stuff on youtube too.

I'm sure you have done no lasting damage mate, so take heart. It'll be fine!

Ben

[Kees]

Welcome to SRP Swayman!

Straight razors never come shave-ready out of the box, they need to be honed first inspite of footage circulating here and on the web showing DOVO employees honing a razor.
For daily maintenance of the edge you need a strop, best ones are made by Tony Miller who has very affordable beginners' stuff as well.

You need to hone your razor only when the edge becomes dull. If you started off with a sharp razor all you need is a polishing hone. For that purpose coticules, Thuringians and barber hones are used by most.

Get yourself Lynn's DVD on straight razor shaving or check YouTube for footage on honing and stropping.

[dac]

Swayman,
I live in Newcastle, just up the road. I can put an edge on your razor if you like.

[OLD_SCHOOL]

Welcome to SRP Swayman.

Don't be alarmed about the simple mistake, you'd be surprised how many here have done the same, especially if they didn't find this site first

Now to business, unless you paid for additional honing service, then your razor wasn't shave ready.
What I recommend you do, is send it out to an experienced person, to make it shave ready, and then buy yourself a cheapo off the bay, to use as a practice razor. The one you have honed professionally will act as your benchmark, so that you know what level you need to get to, before you can shave with it.

A 1k hone is good for setting bevels and removing chips only. I think 6k is a big jump, so if possible get a 3k to go between. Then you need a higher grit stone such as a Norton 8k to bring it up further, and after that, an even higher grit hone, for final polishing, which will make it a much better shaver, than shaving straight from the 8k. There are a variety of high grit hones, both man made and natural, you should research this.

I recommend also, checking out this thread which contains a wealth of information about honing, especially the 9 part video section by Heavydutysg135.

There are certain tests to help you to know when your razor should be able to give a good shave (Hanging Hair Test, Wet thumbnail etc), but the only real test is the shave itself.
Ben

I think you mean the thumbpad test. Coz if you get your razor shave ready, then do the TNT (Thumb nail test) you will end up destroying your edge and having to start all over again. IIRC.

[ben.mid]

You might be right, Old School. I thought the thumbnail test was fine before stropping, but i may be wrong. I stick by the shave being the ultimate test though. I often read about razors that don't pass these tests being great shavers.
Still interested to find out Swayman's stropping routine.

Ben