shave ready razor - honing question

hi,

so I have a couple of quick questions,

a) is it possible to get a successful HHT from a Norton 4k/8k? I keep trying, but just missing the expirience right now to get it right. I can shave with the razor, but it's not the most comfortable shave.

b) if I order a shave ready razor from classic shaving, is it truly shave ready?

c) is a hone meister located in the Davis CA Area (Sacramento/Woodland/Davis) or somebody who can get
me started with honing? I always learn the best while watching and asking questions.

d) what kind of tape do you use to protect the spine, since duct tape keeps coming off


I guess this was it for now :) Thanks for your help and time

a) yes it is possible but the whole HHT thing is highly overrated. Try a thicker hair and I bet your probably already there if your razor shaves nice. Comfortable shave is from a sharp highly polished edge.

b) if you buy a razor that saya presharpened yes.

c) sorry i'm in SoCal so can't help ya there.

d) standard electrical tape.

Hope this helps and good luck.

a) I have read here that the Norton 4/8k will get a str8 shave ready, but you'll probably want to finish on a cotacule, 12k, or pasted strops.

b) I have a shave ready Dovo from CS and it is shave ready. Wonderful shaver, but it won't pass the HHT. It passes the shave test and that is all I care about.

c) I don't have an answer for your 3rd question.

d) Lynn Abrams uses black electrician's tape on his DVD. He says Scotch tape can be used, too, but it wears out faster.

Enjoy!

Dave

hi,

tanks for your replies so far. Well my budget allows another 100-150$ this month and so I could get

a) another shave ready razor (I don't really like used stuff so it would be new)
b) a 16k shapton stone for finishing

Razor Strops, Hones, and Accessories

c) a 4 sided strop + diamond pastes
d) a yellow coticle stone

Razor Strops, Hones, and Accessories

So what would make the most sense at the current point in time.

I got the norton honing set so far and don't really need a second razor right now.

If it were me, I'd buy a 2nd str8, diamond paste, and a slab of balsa wood to use as a paddle strop. Also, I would practice my honing on an inexpensive str8 from an antique shop.

Dave

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tonsor

If it were me, I'd buy a 2nd str8, diamond paste, and a slab of balsa wood to use as a paddle strop. Also, I would practice my honing on an inexpensive str8 from an antique shop.

Dave

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what kind of paste do you recommend? And why paste ( I know this question is posted all the time) as far as I get use paste if you are cheap or have no money for a hone, otherwise use a 16 or 30k hone.

I just like to do it 'right' in the first place and not keep buying and replacing stuff. Since this tend to become more expensive.

I also just got my bbs done and seriously considering to chopping of my goatee just to have to shave more...\But 6/8 is to large for my liking todo goatee work, maybe a 4/8 next...

The Shapton Sweet 16k is a great finisher following the 8k Norton..
I should know I used that same combo for over a year, before I finally took the entire Shapton plunge....

I keep reading in many threads that you guys are trying the HHT after stones... It is not a reliable test to begin with, and after stones it is worse... Try the HHT when yer done stropping a freshly honed blade, and use the finest hair you can lay yer paws on... My hair is not even a challenge I can pop that off a stropped 1k edge, now the wife's is so fine it is hard to even see with my old eyes... I know if that pops when I am done, all up and down the edge then that edge is sharp... That does not mean anything about the shave it just means it's sharp... The test shave is still the only test that matters....

Using some Chrome Oxide paste is a great way to refresh an edge that was shave ready, but starts to pull. It can also be used as a finisher, to help smooth out an edge or to take a razor that pulls just a little bit and make it shave ready.

The only downside is that, if you use pastes frequently or use a pasted hanging strop without enough tension, is that the edge will become rounded after some time and will need to be honed. I guess this isn't really a downside, since the only alternate way to touch up a razor (as far as I know) is to hone it (so honing is inevitable).

You could go with a high grit finishing/polishing stone or a barber hone instead, but pasting is a valid alternative. I have both, and use whichever seems to be working better (if I'm getting frustrated on the hones, I give paste a shot).

I'm a newbie, too. I have a Shumate that shaves, but hangs up just a touch. So I bought a 2.5x2.5x8 inch piece of balsa, Dovo red and green pastes, and as soon as the paste arrives, I'm going to see if it improves the Shumate. I'm just not ready for honing yet, but I've read about others here using the balsa technique and decided to give it a try. The whole setup only cost about $15. I'll let you know how it goes after I try it, later this week.

From what I've read, pasted strops will only work so long before you have to hone the str8. pasted strops can be used to finish a str8 after the Norton 4/8k, so I won't need to buy a finishing stone right away (when I buy my Norton 4/8k, I mean). I'm just trying to take it in stages.

Dave

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tonsor

I'm a newbie, too. I have a Shumate that shaves, but hangs up just a touch. So I bought a 2.5x2.5x8 inch piece of balsa, Dovo red and green pastes, and as soon as the paste arrives, I'm going to see if it improves the Shumate. I'm just not ready for honing yet, but I've read about others here using the balsa technique and decided to give it a try. The whole setup only cost about $15. I'll let you know how it goes after I try it, later this week.
Dave

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Just for clarification here... Dovo Green is a very agressive paste 5-8 microns.. Dovo Red is rated slightly finer at 3-5 microns... and Dovo Black is their finest at 1-3 microns....

I would suggest getting a PM out to ChrisL and asking if he has any of those sample packets of .50 Cr paste left, that would make a great finishing compound on Balsa... and he includes a wonderfully written instruction sheet with it...

well looks like the answer is clear for me,

I should get the 16k hone. I actually really enjoy honing stuff, it is just so relaxing and razors are a nice step up from my kitchen knives.

About the hanging hair test, well I'm to experienced todo this TPT or HHT. But my honing experiments show so far that I can happily shave with it without to much irritations/pulling and it's better than all my DE/Gillete/Mach stuff. The only downside is that the 6/8 seems so big in my face. (and that I'm getting blisters from stropping...)

Blisters from stropping ??? :eek:

You're kidding right ? You strangling that razor :D

Thanks, Glen,

I just PM'd ChrisL re: the 0.5 chrome oxide and instructions. You've saved me from using too coarse of a material on a str8 again.

Thanks again,

Dave

PS: I PM'd you about the Col Conk. It just mows down the whiskers now! Thanks.

Don and Lynn also sell the 0.5um diamond spray which also works really well.

Al raz.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tonsor

Thanks, Glen,

I just PM'd ChrisL re: the 0.5 chrome oxide and instructions. You've saved me from using too coarse of a material on a str8 again.

Thanks again,

Dave

PS: I PM'd you about the Col Conk. It just mows down the whiskers now! Thanks.

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i get blisters real easy and I strop it light 50 laps before and after.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alraz

Don and Lynn also sell the 0.5um diamond spray which also works really well.

Al raz.

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Will this work on balsa?

Dave

Hi Dave,

I use it on backside of the linen/canvas part of my IL 827 hanging strop. WARNING here!!!!! I have read that it is not recommended that newbies use hanging strops for pastes. True...., not sure but it has worked for me so far... ;-). I am sure that somebody follow up on this ;-).

Al raz.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

The Shapton Sweet 16k is a great finisher following the 8k Norton..
I should know I used that same combo for over a year, before I finally took the entire Shapton plunge....

I keep reading in many threads that you guys are trying the HHT after stones... It is not a reliable test to begin with, and after stones it is worse... Try the HHT when yer done stropping a freshly honed blade, and use the finest hair you can lay yer paws on... My hair is not even a challenge I can pop that off a stropped 1k edge, now the wife's is so fine it is hard to even see with my old eyes... I know if that pops when I am done, all up and down the edge then that edge is sharp... That does not mean anything about the shave it just means it's sharp... The test shave is still the only test that matters....

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New acronym, 'FHHT'. The Fine Hanging Hair Test. :D

Glen. Do you hone all jobs to that degree.? Just wondering about the durability of the edge on softer tempered steels or if they can reach that sharpness.