Thread: Honing questions and Brush questions

Clearly my following question will indicate that I am a novice at honing. I have a straight razor and have been trying to hone it for a nice shave. I don't know that it is as sharp as it could be, but the blade looks odd. I have a Thiers-Issard 5/8 in. blade and have honed it a couple of times. I can shave with it, but I think that the shave could be even more comfortable.

Now to the root of the matter, my blade's edge is not even throughout and the spine doesn't have one even smooth flat spot either. The spine does match the edge but it seems to me that it should be all even.

If a picture is necessary to help I can do that, but I'm guessing this is probably a beginner's problem. I would greatly appreciate any help.

Secondly, while on vacation in England I visited Truefitt & Hill and bought a brush. Since I have been using it some of the bristles have been falling out, at least 3 bristles every time I shave. Is this normal or should I try to have the brush replaced.?

Definitely, a close up photo would help.

Originally Posted by jrcsurf

Clearly my following question will indicate that I am a novice at honing. I have a straight razor and have been trying to hone it for a nice shave. I don't know that it is as sharp as it could be, but the blade looks odd. I have a Thiers-Issard 5/8 in. blade and have honed it a couple of times. I can shave with it, but I think that the shave could be even more comfortable.

Now to the root of the matter, my blade's edge is not even throughout and the spine doesn't have one even smooth flat spot either. The spine does match the edge but it seems to me that it should be all even.

If a picture is necessary to help I can do that, but I'm guessing this is probably a beginner's problem. I would greatly appreciate any help.

Secondly, while on vacation in England I visited Truefitt & Hill and bought a brush. Since I have been using it some of the bristles have been falling out, at least 3 bristles every time I shave. Is this normal or should I try to have the brush replaced.?

yep we need photos. It could be the blade is warped but the photos will tell.

As far as the brush goes often times the first few uses a brush will loose a few hairs and after that you might loose 1 or2 every couple of months but that's it. The brushes I have which are a few years old don't loose any.

Here are some pictures. It's the best that I can do now, but if they have to be more detailed let me know and I will send more later.

I'm not really seeing anything so wrong. Every time I thought I saw something wrong another photo indicated it wasn't. To go along with what you initially wrote, it might just be possible that the grind was not perfect so some parts of the spine and edge will be honed wider than others.

Can you elaborate on what and where you think something is wrong?

Actually, your blade looks pretty good. I see what may be a tad of spine wear near the toe, but nothing major. The overall geometry of the blade looks good. When you lay it on a hone, is it flat, it's not warped is it, That's hard to tell in pics, you'd have to lay it on a hone. I'd recommend having one of our pro's hone it for you. Ron aka "Utopian" does honing, as do many of our members. Check the wiki.

I did hone one just like that a couple weeks ago. They are nice razors. If you don't want to keep trying to hone it yourself, I'll gladly hone it for free. Send me a PM if interested.