Thread: New Razor Troubles - pls help

Until last week I shaved w/ a double edged blade - hated throwing the blades away and wanted something more. Now proud owner of a new Dovo. Out of the box (as promised) wouldn't really shave at all just pull like crazy. Now pround owner of new Norton 4K/8K stone and Ill stop. I've tried a couple of itterations of various honing pyramids and stopings then shaving- the shaving's got a bit better - its now like a dull cartridge shave - pulls a fair amount and leaves stuble in tougher spots - but the shave sure isn't great - or even good - I was hoping for so much more - I'm thinking I just haven't got the thing sharp enough yet - but I'm also worried about the over honed thing. The blade feels sharp to my thumb but not fantastically sharp. I really want to learn to do this as self reliance and skill aquisition is an important part of the whole straight razor deal for me. Any practical advise would be very helpful. I've read the stuff on the site and around the web and yet here I am.

The shaving bit seems to be going fine - I'm using the two handed approach and so far I look like I've actually shaved and my allum pencil is feeling left out.

Send it to be professionally honed by someone here. Then you'll have a reference point. Otherwise you'll never if you've gotten it as good as it can get.

I agree with the above poster, send it out and get it done right and then buy an old one on ebay and practice with that one.

I agree with both of the above and will add the eternal question, did you lap your new Norton hone? In my experience with 7 Nortons, they basically suck out of the box. They are not flat and they can be much rougher and grittier than they will be after lapping.

Note that this does not take anything away from the above recommendations. You will not hone well right off the bat so it's not enough just to blame the equipment, it's still your fault! Over time and with practice your honing will improve, but you've got to lap your Nortons.

they have given good and sound advice also go to the wiki and check out the honing vids.they will answer all of the questions yuo have on honing.

try the thumbpad on a new blade. the best is of course to get a reference edge.

Check out my first time honing thread.

Ah yes, a brand new Dovo and a Norton 4/8k hone. While this can be a VERY frustrating combination it can also be the perfect vehicle for a newbie to gain honing skills. By the time you get your razor "shave ready" sharp you will haved gained LOTS of practice.

Do all Manufactures have the same lifted edge like the Dovo brand does?

Thanks for all the good advice. I'm sure sending the razor out for professional sharpening would have been the smart thing to do - but I often don't seem to do the smart thing. Thanks for trying. I think the idea that DOVO lifts the spine to set their factory edge is right on. I've kept at the 4K/8K thing and the razor keeps getting better - I'm just about to where DE with a high quality blade would get me - the straight is still pulling a bit more than I'd like - so I'm now the proud owner of a Belgian stone as well.

Thanks all you experienced guys for helping us rookies out. Straight razor shaving is really getting to be a blast - I actually look forward to shaving in the morning - and nothing gives one a completely present in the moment experience like shaving with a striaght. I hope one day - after I've done a lot a saving, shaving, and sharpening to own a Damascus blade - they're beyond beautiful.

Thanks again.