Thread: 2 questions

I didn't bother quoting what you said, but the point is fairly simple: None of us are here to get "just another razor that shaves." Otherwise we'd all be messing around with M3's and what not. The idea of a proper shave is not only abstract, it is an ideal that we each conjure up to describe the edge we strive for. It is the perfect shave. Can you shave hair with your razor? Sure you can. Have I shaved with a Zeepk? You bet. Do I continue to do it now that I know what a good shave feels like? Of course not!

If money's no big deal, then why argue over $20? Get it honed already! You do realize you only pay for a honing like once or twice a year, right? for $90 you can have a great edge for 2 years! Without doing anything!

Now, I don't want you to post an answer to these questions, but if you would answer any of these "No" then I would say just try a razor honed by a pro, and see if it doesn't change your mind:

Did you get the best shave of your life off of that razor you honed? Do you think that's the pinnacle of shaving? Do you think someone else would want to shave with your razor (honestly, now)? Do you think you will be able to get the same or better edge as any of the honemeisters? Do you really compare a razor to a pocket knife to a chisel - or hone them the same way? (Or think anyone else does?) Do you think there's nothing more to learning about the myriad of hones and techniques than 20 minutes with one synthetic stone (which may not even be lapped)?

Any of those a "No?" Somewhere in the middle is a question I doubt more than a few people can honestly answer Yes to, and they are honemeisters.

If this post doesn't work, I say we strap Frank down and shave him with a true shave ready razor. Mr. Nasty - grab the duct tape!

Originally Posted by BingoBango

If money's no big deal, then why argue over $20? Get it honed already! You do realize you only pay for a honing like once or twice a year, right?

I got it! It took me 4 pages of this tiresome thread, but I finally got it.

Some of you guys spend 40 bucks a year on honing? OUCH! No wonder you don't recommend that I hone myself!

I get it now. If you don't hone, and you're going to spend a half grand over the next decade paying some guy to do it for you, of course you're going to tell the newb - "just pay to have it done, it's not something you can do."

I love it. It didn't even occur to me that such a service would exist. To me, the whole interest I've had in shaving with a straight razor was to do it myself and not be dependent on other people.

If I'm going to be dependent on other people, I'll just use the throw-away razors.

In other words, get my stones, get my blade, and I'm set for the rest of my life (I make my own soap). My wife is going to split her sides laughing when I tell her that a bunch of guys on this forum pay other people to sharpen their blades.

I guess some guys call the plumber when the toilet leaks, but at least they can change the toilet paper (strop) themselves? Right? Hah!

Thanks for the laugh guys. You guys have made my day. I was irritated by the negativity and defeatism earlier in the thread, but I was missing the key information. This is so much better than all the "hunters" around here paying other people to cut up their deer I'm having the uncommon trouble of finding the right words! I'll start with this one - "Hilarious."

As for the gentleman who took the time to write the sincere post to me and commiserate, thank you. I'm on a farm now as well. The point to it all, for me, is to detach from the dependency. Buying Mach 3s, paying somebody else to sharpen a blade for me - same bugbear, different costume.

Everybody's throwing out unspecific black magic voodoo stuff - "you'll wreck the blade. You'll be sorry. I was. There's some bad joo-joo there newb - let a "honemeister" do it for you, they know the correct incantation to use in the Arcane Arts."

Ahahahaha. Too funny.

I've been working it today. Lots of work on the 4k side, but the bevel's coming in nice and easy. Am I going to "ruin" it on a 4k stone? Whoop! So be it!

Maybe Frank Learn the Bad Joo-joo Honing Magic Too!!!

Frank, referring you to the Wiki honing section was my way of providing you with the answers you were seeking ...i.e setting the bevel and going on from there.

The suggestion that you have the razor pro honed was to try and keep you from making the same mistake many of us have made in causing premature wear ..... or worse on a relatively expensive razor when we could have been practicing on cheaper alternative razors.

IME it takes time and practice to learn to properly hone a straight razor. Best of luck with your Dovo.

Here is the problem as I read in your posts and take it for what it is worth...

You have sharpened before, Honestly many have come to SRP with tons more experience at sharpening every type of tool there is...Unfortunatly razors are different, period end of aguement... The real difference is the fact that you use it on your skin, in fact your face... The feeling that this imparts can also be influenced by many other factors we like to call "Prep"

The guys are merely trying to get you the most comfortable shave possible... Which is what we try to do here, help each other out...

You can either read and learn, or you can continue down the path you're on now....Which is yes , you probably will ruin the razor..

But honestly I can't make this any more clear than right now, Being rude will not be tolerated here at SRP....

I was holding off on putting my 2 cents in here to see what direction this took.

I have been sharpening my knives freehand for ~20 years, and have no difficulty on most of them getting an edge that can fillet letters from a phone book page. I know I spend about 10 years getting to this point, now it's very easy to do it even with a knife in bad shape (tools and experience). I've repaired a few edges for a few people, only charging shipping for the hassle.

I picked up 3 straights at a flea market, sent them off yesterday to have a friend repair and get them in shaving shape for me... simply based on his level of experience with straight razors. Minimal cost on this set.


After this first edge is set, I've got tools to maintain my edges. Given that I'll have 4 straight razors getting sharpened for what I spend on cartridges in a month. I'd rather use antiques than go out and buy a new razor, the difference being that I have to spend a few bucks to get them ready to go. I know what my time is worth (with 3 jobs), how long it takes to repair a knife edge, and I wasn't able to set an edge quickly on the first one. Couple hours of my time now, or an hour of an experienced person's time now. Maintenance is 5-10min every couple weeks, well worth my time at that stage. I've got lots of time to add a few stones and learn after this.


As far as your original post and the 2nd question (that no-one else has answered), I personally get a great shave with a week's growth, though I use clippers on my face if I get closer to the 2 week mark as it lets the lather get closer to my skin and does more for me. The amount of growth should not matter if you have a hot shower and use plenty of lather.

Frank, I gotta chime in here...basically, out of disbelief in some of your posts, I've read them all...first, as somewhere in here, you imply that some of the advice is geared to benefit some of the advertisers her...you're wrong...

I've only been communicating here for about 12 weeks...I've belonged for 1-year, but, just read the material for my own interest as I collected razors, but, never used them. With that said, I began shaving with straights about the first of the year...so, I don't know anyone other than reading their posts...I'm not in the business, I don't sell anything...okay...I shave...that's it.

I'm telling you that everyone of these guys have been trying to help you according to the information you've posted...you talk about a Dovo and then doing 20 laps on a 4...then 8k. They responded by referring you to the honing pyramid, asking you a few questions about the stone, whether the razor was shave ready at purchase...all very necessary questions. Some guys hone their own...some guys don't care to and send them out...no scheme here, just individual preference.

You want to hone your own...these guys are the one to tell you how to do it...they guided me in much the same manner that they've tried to guide you and I'm telling you, they're right. Now, I've sharpened things my whole life as I like woodworking and carving...I have carving chisels, mortise chisels, dovetail chisels, hand planes and I get them scary sharp for detailed work...but...it is very different than sharpening a razor...they guided me, and I can and have honed several razors to a magnificent shave.

I'm no authroity here and probably don;t have the right to say this, but, frankly Frank, you've been damn rude to people trying to help you. Either except the fact that you started all this with a question...they answered your questions correctly, honestly, in your best interest and finally, patiently. If you don't want to accept their advice, the issue isn't with them, your razor or your hones; the issue is with you!

Now, moderators, if I've been rude, I apologize!

Guys,

I locked it up as it was going south.

Frank, if you still have questions, I will answer them to the best of my ability if you PM me.

-Rob