Thread: OMG So much better!

So today my sharpening kit from classic shaving came in. I watched one of Lynn's youtube vids on here, read some other honing posts, and went to work on my cheapy that I got off of e-bay. Using my radioshack microscope, I kept checking the edge until the blade was nice and smooth. I then proceeded upstairs.


I get upstairs, wash my face, put on some proraso pre and hot towel for about a minute. Got my water, mug, brush, and all that jazz ready. Decided to go with some C.O. Bigelow Cream (still the only cream I really love).

I got a good lather in the mug, moved some of it to my face and stropped up my razor.

OH THE DIFFERENCE!!! it was... what's an appropriate word... euphoric. Absolutely euphoric. Time stood still. It was just me, my blade, and some hot lather.

Is it BBS? Not so much. Razor burn? Yes. Couple nicks? Yup. But now I see! I SEE.

Thank you guys so much for providing the information, nay, EMPOWERMENT, to be able to experience such joy!

(OK, a little dramatic, but still, it was badass.)

grats!!! a quality hone is a great thing

Congrats!! I remember shaving with my first self-honed blade, it was certainly very special to me! I was in a fantastic mood afterwards, so I know what you're going through. So what stones did you end up getting?

Originally Posted by StraightRazorDave

Congrats!! I remember shaving with my first self-honed blade, it was certainly very special to me! I was in a fantastic mood afterwards, so I know what you're going through. So what stones did you end up getting?

Classicshaving has a kit that comes with a norton 4k/8k and a double sided paddle strop with red and green paste (not sure what to do with the paddle/pastes). Once I feel like I have a good handle of things, I'll probably look for a 12k? Not sure what the next step is.

I have a question though, does the smoothness I see through the scope translate directly to sharpness? or is there something else I should be looking for? The blade was REALLY jagged when I started and looked really nice when I got done. The bevel line was barely visible to the naked eye. All in all I think I did pretty well for my first try, I was really careful to not over do it. I feel like the blade could have been a bit sharper though. Where do I go from here?

well, if you shaved with that edge before honing your skin must be made of leather or something.
no the smoothness of the edge that you see has nothing to do with sharpness. if you run the razor over the hone as if slicing bread you'll see the same thing in the microscope, but your razor wont be able to cut or pull out a single hair.
to get it sharper try the pyramids that lynn uses.
or may be your paddle strop could do that. don't you love it when it comes w/o instructions? i'd call classicshaving and ask them about the pastes.

If you finished very lightly on your 8k & sharpness is satisfactory,a finer hone like 12 -16k would be a good next step for more smoothness & refinement. Pasted paddles may also be the icing on the cake.
Sounds like you're on the right track.

A good thing to keep in mind (and to make you happier) is that your are just starting with honing. As your skills increase the shaves will get even better.