Thread: First month

He may have done, mate. We're only guessing what stage it's at & what's required to get it shave ready again. I just thought that if it was close to shave ready the TNT might set him back a bit.

Agreed ! You never really know unless you have the blade yourself, All we can do is guess as to what we think may have happened.

1_ Hi, and thanks to everybody! Really thank you!!!

2_ I think I will need 2 days just to understand the exact meaning of your answers, and I really want to understand it. So, please consider that now I am reading a lot to understand your suggestions.. eheh! I will be back in 2 days with more descriptions. Now I say only this: a) the razor now shaves very very well (but I do not know if it will get worse soon or not); b) my 4 laps in contrary motion were just to be shure than I did not over-hone before (..probably a bad reading, but I read that to reestablish a good starting point, I could try that "contrary motion" like when stropping). Now everything seems work with my stright, but I need to read more to understand how to perform the tests you suggested.

Thanks one more time!

1. NEVER EVER swipe the hair quickly to perform the HHT. You learn nothing and endanger yourself.

2. Get a BBW.

X

TNT: Should the blade leave a mark? In my case I have only an imperceptible mark. And I had to make a little effort to move the blade across the nail. OK?

Tomorrow the TPT [I am an harpsichord player.. give me the time to accept the idea of using my thumb in this way!]

Thank you!!

It should cut the nail surface if it has a bevel. There should be some bite, as it digs in. If it took some effort with you applying no pressure, that sounds pretty close. Back to the hone now mate, but you'll need the TPT, so wait till you're ready.
No one wants to put a straight razor into their thumb, whether they play harpichord or not! It's a safe test, just be gentle.

Thanks, ben.mid!

TPT: I think I am between 1 and 3 (not 2), as described in the wiki page. Most probably 3, but I found difficult to understand the difference between 1 and 3. In my case the thumb runs "gently" across the blade.

1. If the edge has a faint tickling sensation and just starts to grip onto your thumb pad then you are in the right neighbourhood for a shave test.
3. If the edge tickles your thumb and feels like a very sharp knife with a good cutting edge then you are not sharp enough. This sensation is usually felt coming off a medium hone like a 4,000 grit water stone.

Now should I come back to my yellow coticule? How? no slurry? How many laps? ..and I think I will have to do the TPT while honing..

Thanks!!

..up.. Suggestions about the honing required [just ideas]??

thanks!

Originally Posted by clavichord

Thanks, ben.mid!

TPT: I think I am between 1 and 3 (not 2), as described in the wiki page. Most probably 3, but I found difficult to understand the difference between 1 and 3. In my case the thumb runs "gently" across the blade.

1. If the edge has a faint tickling sensation and just starts to grip onto your thumb pad then you are in the right neighbourhood for a shave test.
3. If the edge tickles your thumb and feels like a very sharp knife with a good cutting edge then you are not sharp enough. This sensation is usually felt coming off a medium hone like a 4,000 grit water stone.

Now should I come back to my yellow coticule? How? no slurry? How many laps? ..and I think I will have to do the TPT while honing..

Thanks!!

Use your coticule with water (no slurry) as a finisher. Don't be too concerned about over honing. Many people say that you can't overhone on a coticule. The actual number of laps is hard to say... every razor and coticule is different. My particular coticule is very slow. I usually need 150 laps on it. Yours might be faster, and require less. The nice thing about the coticule, though, is that you can go ahead and do, say, 200 (or more) laps on it without worry about overhoning.

Hi everybody,

I started only few days before: one month and half in total.
To my personal discredit, my dovo was broken and fortunately the vendor gave me a new one.
I would like to believe I am leaving the low part of the learning curve: although today it has been really good I have had to finish my chin with the disposable: my job requires it.
Still looking (here in Europe) for the perfect soap/cream. For the aftershave, I mix myself a very good moisturizing crema with an aloe vera product both from my wife's personal apotheke.
In short, still learning and certainly proud of it!
I would like to be so brave as some fellows that are already honing!
For newcomers this site is simply perfect, you find almost all the information you need, many thanks!

J Rizo