Thread: First Attempt at Honing & First Shave!

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

Try not to worry about perfect bevel. as long as you have cutting edge doesn't matter in 1 point wider bevel to compare rest. this is usually what i do.i am not against you going back to 1k and start all over.this is learning curve go head do so. It will help.
gl

Thanks GL...I appreciate the guidance! Although I've been honing knifes for years this is new to me and I am luck enough to have the time to be patient. Like you say, I'm on a 'learning curve' at this point...but I am having fun!

WP34

Originally Posted by ace

Congratulations on a good start!

You can learn to live with a little frown, especially if you're married....

...I would add that there is no reason to diss Ebay blades. Many of them
are made in Germany, England, and in the U.S. and once honed are
fine shavers. I tell that to my face every morning.

Now that's funny! ROTFLMAO....

Thanks for the good advice Ace...I actually thought this morning that maybe that it makes more sense to go back to the Naniwa 5K, 8K, and then finish with the 10K-12K, do a good stropping ( a definite 'Weak Point' for me at this point) and then give it another 'Shave Test'.

The frown IS very slight so this makes sense...

I'll post up my results...

BTW...for all the other 'NEWBIES' like me...The razor I am using for this testing cost me less than $15 including shipping on Ebay. It's a "Wester Bros. Solingen, model De-Fi" 5/8 blade. Just goes to show that what all the 'Old Heads' around here say: Good Steel is Good Steel!

WP34

I just thought of a question that I need an answer to...I can't find the answer in the Wiki, so I thought I'd pose it to all the 'Old Heads' around SRP in hopes of getting some sage advice. Here it is:

Since I taped the spine when I honed this razor, should I leave the tape on when I give it a final strop??? Or should I remove it, since once I am satisfied with the Honing and place this razor in a rotation I will clean it up and the tape will be gone. Also will this affect the 'sharpness'...stropping without the tape???

I am thinking that maybe when I finish the honing today I should finish it up without the tape but I am afraid of creating a double bevel if I do???

Color me: "Confused"...I could really use some advice...

Thanks to all

WP34

Well....

The second shave today was miserable! Ouch! I really need a lot of practice on the stropping because I think that's where I screwed up. After the 12000 hone I was sure I had it set...no such luck. The second shave was much worse than the first. Back to the drawing board...practicing stropping!

WP34

Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

I just thought of a question that I need an answer to...I can't find the answer in the Wiki, so I thought I'd pose it to all the 'Old Heads' around SRP in hopes of getting some sage advice. Here it is:

Since I taped the spine when I honed this razor, should I leave the tape on when I give it a final strop??? Or should I remove it, since once I am satisfied with the Honing and place this razor in a rotation I will clean it up and the tape will be gone. Also will this affect the 'sharpness'...stropping without the tape???

I am thinking that maybe when I finish the honing today I should finish it up without the tape but I am afraid of creating a double bevel if I do???

Color me: "Confused"...I could really use some advice...

Thanks to all

WP34

I've always honed with tape, and I always remove it to strop.

If you finish up your honing without tape, you won't be setting a double bevel. Instead you'll be honing at the sides of the bevel ABOVE the level of the edge because it was the tape that brought the edge into contact with the stone. If you use tape, keep it on until you go from the stones to the strop. That is the point to remove it.

Thanks Ace... I appreciate the help! I left the tape on when I stroped before this second shave...I had a bad feeling about doing that. Now I know better for sure. Back to the 5-8-12 tomorrow...and practice stropping!

WP34

Much, much better! Got a great shave today. No nicks cuts or bruises...

I practiced stropping for about 1 hr or 2 yesterday on a razor that I haven't honed yet, just to try and get the technique down. I felt good about my chances so I did a very light re-hone on my 'usable' razor, stropped it up with about 50 strokes on the Linen and then 50 or so on the leather, and made my third attempt at shaving today.

Shaved my whole face (except close in to the mustache and goatee!)...made 3 passes with hot lather-WTG, XTG,ATG...and I got a great shave! No real irritation just very comfortable. I only had to touch it up with a disposable in a couple of places.

I'm pretty happy today...

WP34

Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

Much, much better! Got a great shave today. No nicks cuts or bruises...

I practiced stropping for about 1 hr or 2 yesterday on a razor that I haven't honed yet, just to try and get the technique down. I felt good about my chances so I did a very light re-hone on my 'usable' razor, stropped it up with about 50 strokes on the Linen and then 50 or so on the leather, and made my third attempt at shaving today.

Shaved my whole face (except close in to the mustache and goatee!)...made 3 passes with hot lather-WTG, XTG,ATG...and I got a great shave! No real irritation just very comfortable. I only had to touch it up with a disposable in a couple of places.

I'm pretty happy today...

WP34

Ha! Congratulations!
That sounds great!
Isn't it fun to be able to achieve such results after really applying yourself and give it your best?
I love that!

Thanks Birnando! It is fun...

Now on to my next acquired razor...clean , hone, strop and shave!

WP34

Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

Thanks Birnando! It is fun...

Now on to my next acquired razor...clean , hone, strop and shave!

WP34

I believe the RAD has started, quick someone call Dr. Drew's hotline!!!