Thread: A few starting questions

thanks for all replies guys.
I noew question for you, what is the angle of honing of razors? l read between 15-20 per side, is that correct?

Originally Posted by mainaman

thanks for all replies guys.
I noew question for you, what is the angle of honing of razors? l read between 15-20 per side, is that correct?

No, not at all. The razor should be perfectly flat on the hone.

Beginner's Guide to Honing - Straight Razor Place Wiki
Razor flat, heel leading or X pattern (I use both at the same time), equal pressure on each side, each stroke the same angle and length as the opposing side, lessen pressure as you go. Light strokes will attack the bevel all the way to the edge better that pressured strokes, but adding some pressure will remove more metal (both of which have their time and place). Use quality strokes, go slow. The best part of honing is that it lets you slow the world down a little. Or, if you try and apply your fast world to honing, you'll screw it up.

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

No, not at all. You would do yourself a favour by reading the beginners guide, and Lynn's post in it, from which the following quote stems:

I am sorry I read the shaving section and I am ware of the advised shaving angles, I am asking abour sharpening the razor on stones , is the angle 15-20 per side? Also for stropping is there a angle preference (I have not seen any specific angles listed)?

Originally Posted by mainaman

I am sorry I read the shaving section and I am ware of the advised shaving angles, I am asking abour sharpening the razor on stones , is the angle 15-20 per side? Also for stropping is there a angle preference (I have not seen any specific angles listed)?

I misread that, post edited, apologies for the misunderstanding.

I've made a small addition to the Wiki which should clarify:

Taken from File:Help Files Permanent Archive Honing & Stropping Information StropInst.pdf - Straight Razor Place Wiki.

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

I misread that, post edited, apologies for the misunderstanding.

I've made a small addition to the Wiki which should clarify:

Taken from File:Help Files Permanent Archive Honing & Stropping Information StropInst.pdf - Straight Razor Place Wiki.

Thanks a lot for the useful info BeBerlin.
If I understand right then pretty much the spine of the razor also touches the stone and the strop and serves as a guide for the right honing/stropping angle?

Originally Posted by mainaman

Thanks a lot for the useful info BeBerlin.
If I understand right then pretty much the spine of the razor also touches the stone and the strop and serves as a guide for the right honing/stropping angle?

You're welcome. Yes, the razor should be flat on the (taut!) strop all the time. I think Razor stropping - Straight Razor Place Wiki pretty much sums all of that up now. Please go through it, and let us know if you understood everything. If not, please help us enhance this article. As stropping is an extremely important, and often underestimated, part of straight razor shaving, this article should be 100% accurate, yet easy to understand.

Oh yeah, it has a nice video which you should find helpful.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Thanks a lot for the useful info BeBerlin.
If I understand right then pretty much the spine of the razor also touches the stone and the strop and serves as a guide for the right honing/stropping angle?

The spine *ALWAYS* touches the hone (and strop), unlike honing a knife. If you were to lift the spine at all you will mess up the edge. Note that some people put a piece of electrical tape on the spine to reduce the "spine wear" during honing, but many (including me) don't do that. If you have a fancy razor that has etching on the spine or gold wash you want to protect, then it might be a good idea to tape, but once you use tape you always need to use tape unless you completely reset the bevel.

-Chief