Thread: First Real Honing Attempt

Hello all, wasn't sure whether to put this in beginners or honing but here goes. Just wanted to comment on my first real honing attempt...WOW. I bought my first straight a few months ago (new Dovo) knowing that it wasn't truly shave ready after my readings here, but figured how bad could it be? I had shaved with a DE for over a year before the straight. So I shaved with it and even though it tugged a little I was determined I would make it work. I live up here in Alberta, Canada so other than sending it away there are no honemiesters here. I bought a 3000k hone when I bought the razor and thought i'd give it a go, a little better but... So I figured if i'm going to learn why not do it right, so I watched the videos here by Lynn and Jockeys, went out and bought myself a Norton 4000/8000k combo stone and gave it a go. Honed it, stropped it, and did the shave test...I actually dulled it As I say, I'm determined...took a deep breath, went back over to the computer and watched again, went back to my 3000k, another deep breath and started over. I tried the pyramid technique, nice and slow checking the edge as I went and each time my smile grew I finished, stropped it and put it away. I only shave every couple of nights and last night was it...WOW what a difference, nice & smooth, no pulling and no irritation or burn even after alum block & bay rum. And BBS!!! Best shave ever and my beautiful wife agreed. As a newbie I can only imagine what a razor honed by a pro like Lynn would be like. I was pretty proud of myself though, so I enjoyed the rest of the evening with a Pabst and a smile I want to send out huge thanks to Lynn & Jockeys for their great vids on here and to everyone else here on SRP for all the valuable info. To any newbie starting out with honing, all I can say is take your time and be patient...and watch those videos!!! Thanks again to all and keep shaving.

Congrats! Sounds like you did a great job!

Its really satisfying when you first successfully hone a razor!

Well done!

Good for you!

Next on your list, get a Naniwa 12k, and a diamond sprayed strop, then, after the 8k, do 10 laps on the N12K, 10 passes on the diamond, then 25-50 on regular leather...

You can get good shaves off the 8k, but off a full honeing... Yowza!

good luck!

Thanks Zombie...as always more great advice from the members of SRP

Originally Posted by willow2006

Thanks Zombie...as always more great advice from the members of SRP

Good advice? Hah, good enabling! You can do just fine without any of those things... but where's the fun in that. I don't know which is more prevalent.. How helpful these chaps are, or how much of my money they've signed away >.<

Cheers,
Jeremy

And I'll point you at belgian double grit coticules and japanese polishing stones, along with the quarter micron diamond and straight leather, and it'll cost every BIT as much or more except of course you really DO need it.

Congrats Willow...like you, new to razor honing, I watched-read the material offered on honing @SRP, asked a couple of question about issues I noticed on a practice blade I selected and received response from Avatar and GSSIXGuns, (Rob & Glen), pronto. Took my time, followed pyramid format, was careful on maintaining a proper stroke and though I wasn't expecting a good result...had success.

In addition, before purchasing a couple of honing/stropping supplies, I had occassion to ask a couple of questions from Lynn...he returns my msg and winds up giving me a phone call and shooting the breeze on honing for about 20 minutes with advice/suggestion and "bewares"...never expected that kind of friendly, "what can I do to help you out" response. I must say that despite my limited time and communication here, the member profile is top-notch...a lot of really fine people here that are only to glad to straighten things out for a new guy w/questions.

Regards...Scott