Thread: I just spent $$$ and it's all your fault

Well, after reading the replies to my post about sharpening, I read lots of posts about hones and decided that I was holding myself back by not having some. I was considering sending out my razors for another sharpening, but when will that end? I enjoy shaving with a straight and I want to REALLY enjoy shaving with a straight. I need to learn how to hone.

Now, back to my complaint. I just bought a Shapton 4K, 8K, and 16K set, along with a DGLP. Ouch! Three months ago, I'd never even heard of Shapton, and I didn't know what a lapping plate was. Now I own $500 worth of them.

Your punishment for all this will be to answer my questions about honing as well as you've answered my questions about shaving!

I'll keep you posted...

heh, play with those toys for a little while and you'll be honing edges up nicely.

Well, you certainly purchased some expensive hones that's for sure. I do agree with you though, if you're going to shave with a straight...you might as well learn to keep your razors in the proper condition yourself. You will do fine if you just take your time and purposefully concentrate on keeping the spine against your hone, applying little to no pressure while honing. Secondly, when stropping... likewise use little to no pressure with the spine leading, being careful not to roll your edge. Most of the time guys new to stropping roll their edges by going to fast before their muscle memory has had time to become ingrained. These bad habits when first starting out tend to stay with you for a while until you are forced to re-learn the proper technique by getting bad shaves or by ruining some blades. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask. I am always happy to see someone straight shaving and keeping the dying art alive. Good luck!

Originally Posted by Dean65

Well, you certainly purchased some expensive hones that's for sure. I do agree with you though, if you're going to shave with a straight...you might as well learn to keep your razors in the proper condition yourself. You will do fine if you just take your time and purposefully concentrate on keeping the spine against your hone, applying little to no pressure while honing. Secondly, when stropping... likewise use little to no pressure with the spine leading, being careful not to roll your edge. Most of the time guys new to stropping roll their edges by going to fast before their muscle memory has had time to become ingrained. These bad habits when first starting out tend to stay with you for a while until you are forced to re-learn the proper technique by getting bad shaves or by ruining some blades. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask. I am always happy to see someone straight shaving and keeping the dying art alive. Good luck!

Yeah, I may have more dollars than sense, but several other posts convinced me that if none of this worked out, I could always sell on the forums and recoup most of my money. I'm also trying to avoid HAD by getting hones that come well recommended. One of each, that's all I need, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

Thanks for the advice, both times today. When you told me you had been straight shaving for 31 years, I looked at your handle, Dean65, and thought, well, it couldn't have been the year he was born. Otherwise, he's been using a straight since he first put a razor to his face! I actually searched for your other posts and was shocked that it was true. That's great that you have those memories of your grandfather shaving, and that it changed your shaving forever. You're a treasure of experience.

Ray

Be careful when shaving after using that 16k...it's easy to cut yourself when you unconsciously start grinning!

Originally Posted by hermeticpiper

I'm also trying to avoid HAD by getting hones that come well recommended. One of each, that's all I need, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

Ray

Oh man, you're gonna be so p155ed when you get a warped blade to hone. May as well go ahead and buy some narrow hones to go with those shaptons.

Zen and the Art of Razor Honing..........

Originally Posted by Ditch Doc

Oh man, you're gonna be so p155ed when you get a warped blade to hone. May as well go ahead and buy some narrow hones to go with those shaptons.

Oh you can hone warped blades on the shaptons or any other wide stone all you need is practice and more practice

Jim!!!! Good to see you again. You've got some posting to do if you want to catch with my post count now

Originally Posted by syslight

Oh you can hone warped blades on the shaptons or any other wide stone all you need is practice and more practice

And patience. Apparently