Time to Hone?

Gentlemen, it has been about three months now since I received my professionaly honed ready to shave Dovo 6/8. I have used it quite abit these last three months and what I am begining to notice is that even after doing my usual stropping that the razor doen't seem to be as sharp as it used to be. What makes me think it may be time for rehoning is when I shave it seems to take another pass or two on the difficult areas like my chin. When I shaved with it yesterday I even felt a little razor burn and I have not felt that in awhile. All this makes me think it is time to hone. Am I reading my razor right?

Now you all told me in the begining to learn how to shave first then learn how to hone. Well I'm scared I'll mess up my razor but I need to learn sooner or later. The remember the satisfaction I got out of learning how to shave. I hope to have the same satisfaction out of learning how to hone.

Lynn, if you read this, my Dovo 6/8 was purchased from Vintage Blades and honed by you. Did you tape it for its first hone? I've got your DVD for instruction, so I just wanted to preserve the bevel as close to possible to its first honing.

As usual thanks for all the knowledge you guys share, I look forward to reading your replies.

Yes , I think it's time for a touch up . 5 very light laps on the finish hone of your choice should bring the edge back . The razor is still sharp , so it won't take much to get it up to snuff .

If you are using a barbers hone, I wouldnt worry about tape.

If you have never done this before don't practice on you new razor. If you were going to be using a pasted strop I would say go ahead and try it because there is little likelihood of really messing things up so if you are going to be using a hone I would say get a junk razor and practice with that. if you are really confident of your skills that's one thing if your not don't do it.

Lynn has said before, in other threads, that he doesn't hone new razors with any tape. So I wouldn't use any here.

If your barbers hone is flat then try this. Put some lather on your hone and hold it in one hand. Take the razor and lay one side on the hone. Do about 10 real light and even circles. Then do the same thing to the other side. rinse the hone and the razor. Dry the razor and strop it about 50 laps and shave with it.

If it doesn't improve it, do the same thing again. As long as you don't apply too much pressure, I don't think you will do any damage.

Good luck.

Ray