Thread: Solingen 6/8 amor

HI. My name is Alex, and about a month ago I purchased a straight razor of Ebay. It's a Solingen ''amor''. Along with a Norton 4/8. And an Illinois strop. I love everything about this new found trade. My first shave burned fora day, my subsequent shaves have been getting better to where they are now comfortable. I guess I've found my little routine that works well. My question is simply how do I know if my razor is absolutely sharp. I've tried the hanging hair test, and it passes most of the time.
I'm glad I've found Strightrazor place. I learn alot and found people who are interested as I am in this wonderfull craft. I'm looking forward to passing it along to my boys when they grow up.

Thanks and look forward to talking.
Alex.

The easiest way to learn what a sharp razorn in shave ready condition feels like is to send it to a honemeister. After you shave with it you can compare the quality of your own honing. Honemeisters advertise their services in the classified section. An alternative way to go about this is to buy another razor that is in shave ready condition from either the classified section or one of the vendors that sponsor SRP. The hanging hair test (HHT) is not a very good determinant of shave readyness of a razor. The shave test is the ultimate test in that regard. However, if you have not experienced what a properly honed razor should feel like, it may be hard for your to asses your success at honing.

Al raz.

If it shave as if you are wiping the lather off with your finger, no pulling or tugging, scraping and is entirely comfortable, you have a sharp razor. If it pulls, tugs and scrapes and is not enirely comfortable, it needs honed.

+1 with the recommendation to send your razor out to a honemeister. It's worth the wait. Right now you have two unknowns. The first being your technique. It does take several shaves with a shave ready razor to get that down. And the other is your honing skill. Plus, to get a proper bevel takes lots of work with a 4K.

Thanks for the reply gentlemen. I have my eye on a new Professionally honed razor. I will then compare and through trial and error practise honing. Thanks for the input.

Alex.

Originally Posted by plasterman

Thanks for the reply gentlemen. I have my eye on a new Professionally honed razor. I will then compare and through trial and error practise honing. Thanks for the input.

Alex.

A man who works with his hands is a labourer. A man who works with his hands and his mind is a craftsman. A man who works with his hands, his mind, and his heart is an artist.

Hi Plasterman, welcome to SRP..

I see you got all the advice you needed.. I'm pretty new here myself and I found that this site is crowded by nice people willing to share their knowledge. So if you start honing and run into trouble theres always somebody that will answer your questions..

Have fun!

Maarten