Thread: Newbie Honing question

Originally Posted by Zeus

Okay, I admit to being somewhat confused here. I haven't even purchased a razor yet, I am trying to learn as much as I can first. I am considering buying a new Dovo. Would a new Chinese 12k water hone bring it up to speed? I don't want to spend quite so much money on a new Norton. Also, I have read and watched videos about honing, stropping etc. Everybody says it will take some time to get the technique down. If I use correct honing and stropping technique, why does it take so long? Will the hone and a good strop be all I need?

Well Zeus,

It's like this: until you've honed a razor and gotten it sharp enough to shave with the greatest of smoothness, you just don't know that it's just not something done with the greatest of ease by the average guy. I started out pretty smug and stayed that way until I learned that my knife and chisel and plane iron sharpening isn't the same as razor sharpening. Oh, you use basically the same tools, but a ham handed approach which can work for the Henckels chef's knife just won't cut it (ahem) for the Henckels razor (pick a brand; I only used Henckels for purposes of pun).

I've mentioned before that when straight shaving was much more common, it's possible that razors came new with much better edges than today's new razors and that the average shaver probably brought his blades to the local barber for initial honing and touch up. Thus he didn't need the hones which we need if we attempt to sharpen our own razors, as barbers who knew how to hone then were much more common than they are today.

It takes time because as with most things there is a learning curve and like us average Joes, you will probably have to bend with the radius. Sharpening with the Chinese 12K will also take much time as it is a very slow cutting stone that's mostly used for polishing rather than developing an edge. The use of the Norton 4/8K is that most of us have started with is from Lynn Abrams' DVD recommendation. It works. Other stones do too, but this one is a pretty well known and dependable workhorse.

For about 20 bucks you can have your razor sharpened by a pro and now you only need to maintain it, and that you probably can do pretty well with that Chinese unit.

best of luck,

(Look at all that fine advice above - I am soooo slooooooow ;^)

Thanks for all the info. I am just trying to learn all I can and I will take everyone's advice and get the razor pre-honed.

I'm sure you've seen posts saying to buy an inexpensive razor (not a zeepke) on ebay or an antique shop/fair. You can develop your honing skills on that inexpensive razor. Your professionally honed razor will be the benchmark for your honing abilities. Just a recommendation...

i agree with dward on this i bought a $6 razor on ebay strictly to practice honing on so im not out much if i destroy the blade

Honing is a bit like riding a bike. It takes a little practice before you can get all the way around the block. You'll soon get the hang of it. Enjoy.

If you guys practice with cheap blades how do you know if you honing was effective or not? I'm also very new to this I'm not sure how you know if your honing is helping you get a sharper edge or destroying it. I only have a norton 4k/8k stone.

Originally Posted by canyon289

If you guys practice with cheap blades how do you know if you honing was effective or not? I'm also very new to this I'm not sure how you know if your honing is helping you get a sharper edge or destroying it. I only have a norton 4k/8k stone.

You know it's sharp by shaving with it. I think they mean cheap as in cost. I can find a high quality blade on ebay for around $10. Now, it may not be pretty, but pretty don't shave no whiskers.