Thread: Honing the blade

Hi everyone, I just recently got into shaving with a straight razor. I have a normal thin leather strop and a 4000/8000 grit water stone and an old straight razor that was bought shave ready off ebay. The problem I'm having is that the razor wasn't quite "shave ready". It did the job, but it was an uncomfortable experience. I tried the hair test on it, and it cut it with only a light tug--which I'm told should not be there. I also tried the thumbnail test and I didn't know how to feel about the amount of drag it had along my nail. I figured it just needed some minor honing and it should be where I need it to be. Unfortunately, I did something wrong, for it actually dulled after honing it. I've been trying to sharpen it for about an hour using both sides, and it just will not become sharp. I did think that I perhaps overhoned, and I back-honed for about 25 strokes on the 4000 grit side. But that didn't seem to do any good. Am I under-estimating how many strokes it takes? I'm completely lost at this point.

Hello, eagentebuddy:

Allow me to make a suggestion. If you are just starting out with straight razor shaving, please stop what you are doing with the hones and send the razor out to be honed professionally. Honing takes time to learn, which you will with practice. For now, you need a sharp razor. Also, you could damage the razor. By having that first one honed professionally you'll have something for comparison.

Regards,
Obie

First of all, welcome to SRP.

Are you new to straight shaving? For most people technique is the problem when getting started, not the razor. That said, some eBay "shave ready" blades are suspect...
The thumbnail test is only used to check the bevel on a razor. It will dull a finished blade, sometimes dramatically.

I would advise you to send your razor out to a honemeister to get it fixed up for now. Then, when you're ready to get into honing get another razor to practice on.

Good luck!

Oh... and if you really must hone it yourself, it depends on where the blade is at right now to determine how many 4k strokes are needed. The only way to know that is from experience with feeling different edges throughout the honing process.

I know it doesn't help with your question, but I've got to agree with Obie. Get this one honed, then get some honing practise in on a blade you don't have to shave with.
Learning to hone takes time & patience. If you rely on that bvlade, you may well put yourself off straights completely.

Depending on how long you've been shaving, if the razor passed the HHT but didn't provide the shave you were expecting, it's likely to be your technique.

However, since you did the TNT, you likely dulled the blade to the point where 25 laps on a 4k would be insufficient to bring the edge back and may require moving down to either a 1k stone or staying at the 4k until you've re-established your bevel.

If this is your only razor, I would recommend that you put the stones away all together and have that razor professionally honed. Only then will you have a benchmark for your future honing on a beater razor purchased at an antique store or ebay.

Although I am the first to agree with the guys that you should just get this honed... Since you have already messed with the edge let's try a little fun experiment ok???...


What kind of razor???

What 4k/8k stone are you using????

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Since you have already messed with the edge let's try a little fun experiment ok???...


What kind of razor???

What 4k/8k stone are you using????

Is this going to be SRP's first LIVE honing tutorial?! I'll fetch my stones Glen!

Just tell me how to work this stupid Camera Ben LOL

Lets see the razor. Also like Glen said lets see what your using to hone it.

If its close but no cigar it should not take that much to get it up to snuff if you know what your doing and have the right hones.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I will try to find someone who can hone in town, though most of the barber shops here no longer use straight razors. I would, however, like to learn myself. I can't post any pictures at the moment, but the 4000/8000 waterstone is by Norton and it's 3 in wide, 8 inch long. I don't know the specifics of the razor at this moment, other than that it's old and by King Razor. As for technique, I do the X pattern with the blade going first of course. I don't put any pressure other than the weight of the blade itself when I move it accross. Granted my knowledge is meager, but I seem to be doing it correct for the most part based on the sound of the blade. I'll try to get pictures if it's necessary. The idea that I ruined the blade through the TNTs sounds like it might be the most likely explanation since it would explain why my blade still isn't sharp after mostly honing it for so long on 8000 grit.