First Attempt at Honing & First Shave!

Printable View

04-22-2011, 02:06 AM
Wolfpack34

First Attempt at Honing & First Shave!

:D Ok...I just finished my first hone, and first shave with an inexpensive razor I picked up on Ebay. I purchased a couple of fine razors (Filarmonica's Doble Temple) but figured I better practice restoring/honing on a 'good' but inexpensive one or two or three first, before I even touched those...

I followed the techniques described in the Wiki using my full set of Naniwa superstones that I have had for some time now, except that I stopped after the 8000.

First because this razor (Wester Bros. Solingen) had a bit of a frown, I 'Breadknifed' the blade on a coarse Arkansas stone, then went to work on it with the 400 & 1000 to set the bevel, and since it passed the TNT, the TPT, and arm hair test after the 1000, I went through the 3000 and the 8000. I skipped the 5000 because it 'felt' almost ready after the 3000. After the 8000 I decided to strop it up and do a TST.

The upshot: I got a pretty decent shave, no nicks or cuts, a slight razor burn on the jawline (too many passes I think) and I am a pretty happy :D fellow! Now tomorrow I will take it back to the to the 1000 and do a little more bevel work and then run it up through the 12000 Naniwa.

I think I am starting to get the hang of this...thanks mostly to this website and it's tremendous wealth of knowledge for a beginner. Because I took the last several days to read and study as much as I could here I felt confident that I could do it also.

"Knowledge = Confidence = Enthusiasm = Success"

Thanks to all here...

WP34 :beer1: Think I'll have a beer now!
04-22-2011, 08:17 AM
str8fencer

Congratulations! That's not a small honing achievement there, getting a decent shave out of an ebay junker. You certainly are correct, more knowledge equals better success rate, and the forums and wiki here are full of knowledge. Keep at it and you will soon see your shaves getting more comfortable. Thanks for posting, and best of luck.
04-22-2011, 08:52 AM
Birnando

str8fencer is spot on, no small achievement!
It is such a high when you finally feel able to completely control every part of shaving and caring for ones equipment.
I salute your efforts!
Great work:)
04-22-2011, 11:38 AM
Maxi

Congratulations. Honing your first razor is a huge lift, and a great achievement.

After all of your reading, did you decide to tape or not tape? And may I ask, what type of stroke worked best for you on this razor? Did you bevel set with circles, or with x strokes and pressure?

Great job!
04-22-2011, 12:33 PM
JimBC

Took me bout 60 hrs of "honing" before honing successfully (still learning). CONGRATULATIONS! Feels great to bring a rusty,pitted,90-150 yr old creature back to life after years of neglect.
04-22-2011, 12:45 PM
hi_bud_gl

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

:D Ok...I just finished my first hone, and first shave with an inexpensive razor I picked up on Ebay. I purchased a couple of fine razors (Filarmonica's Doble Temple) but figured I better practice restoring/honing on a 'good' but inexpensive one or two or three first, before I even touched those...

I followed the techniques described in the Wiki using my full set of Naniwa superstones that I have had for some time now, except that I stopped after the 8000.

First because this razor (Wester Bros. Solingen) had a bit of a frown, I 'Breadknifed' the blade on a coarse Arkansas stone, then went to work on it with the 400 & 1000 to set the bevel, and since it passed the TNT, the TPT, and arm hair test after the 1000, I went through the 3000 and the 8000. I skipped the 5000 because it 'felt' almost ready after the 3000. After the 8000 I decided to strop it up and do a TST.

The upshot: I got a pretty decent shave, no nicks or cuts, a slight razor burn on the jawline (too many passes I think) and I am a pretty happy :D fellow! Now tomorrow I will take it back to the to the 1000 and do a little more bevel work and then run it up through the 12000 Naniwa.

I think I am starting to get the hang of this...thanks mostly to this website and it's tremendous wealth of knowledge for a beginner. Because I took the last several days to read and study as much as I could here I felt confident that I could do it also.

"Knowledge = Confidence = Enthusiasm = Success"

Thanks to all here...

WP34 :beer1: Think I'll have a beer now!

You are confusing me a little? how you could shave with the blade which bevel hasn't set correctly?
Or if bevel set correctly before why you are trying to go back 1k again?
Now if you are trying to fix frown that is totally different conversation.
this is how i would do.
1 fix frown.
2 set the bevel
3 hone that beauty and test.
until you get what you like.
gl
04-22-2011, 02:08 PM
Wolfpack34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxi

Congratulations. Honing your first razor is a huge lift, and a great achievement.

After all of your reading, did you decide to tape or not tape? And may I ask, what type of stroke worked best for you on this razor? Did you bevel set with circles, or with x strokes and pressure?

Great job!

Thanks! I just followed the instructions exactly on 'Honing a restored Blade' in the Wiki: I taped it with 3 layers of tape and then did angled heel first lap strokes down the hone and then X-strokes. I used a 'Bit' of pressure on the 400 and much less so on the 1000. By the time I hit the 3000 I felt I had a pretty good bevel so I used very little pressure from then on.

WP34
04-22-2011, 02:22 PM
Wolfpack34

Quote:

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

You are confusing me a little? how you could shave with the blade which bevel hasn't set correctly?
Or if bevel set correctly before why you are trying to go back 1k again?
Now if you are trying to fix frown that is totally different conversation.
this is how i would do.
1 fix frown.
2 set the bevel
3 hone that beauty and test.
until you get what you like.
gl

Sorry for the confusion...I felt I had a pretty staraight bevel after 1000. Not perfect but pretty evenly ground across the edge. The TNT indicated (based on the Wiki instructions) to me that it was pretty good...i.e no micro chips etc...as it performed as explained in the definition. I am going back to the Honing because it's not perfect yet. There is still a 'very, very slight frown' and the heel and toe need a tad more work as well. But...it was good enough to at least try to shave with it. It popped the hairs on my arm easily so I felt confident that I wouldn't 'Massacre" my face!:D
04-22-2011, 02:45 PM
hi_bud_gl

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

Sorry for the confusion...I felt I had a pretty staraight bevel after 1000. Not perfect but pretty evenly ground across the edge. The TNT indicated (based on the Wiki instructions) to me that it was pretty good...i.e no micro chips etc...as it performed as explained in the definition. I am going back to the Honing because it's not perfect yet. There is still a 'very, very slight frown' and the heel and toe need a tad more work as well. But...it was good enough to at least try to shave with it. It popped the hairs on my arm easily so I felt confident that I wouldn't 'Massacre" my face!:D

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
04-22-2011, 02:45 PM
ace

Congratulations on a good start!

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

I would avoid going back to 1K unless you absolutely must. If your
bevel looks good under magnification and under bright lighting, you
have no need to go back to 1K. I spend more time going "backwards"
through the honing progression than up through it and am happier for
it. That is, don't use a lower grit until a higher grit demonstrates the
need for it. Good luck with your honing!

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.
04-22-2011, 03:11 PM
Wolfpack34

Thanks GL...

Quote:

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
04-22-2011, 03:38 PM
Wolfpack34

Thanks Ace...

Quote:

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.

:D 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
04-22-2011, 05:33 PM
Wolfpack34

Calling All 'Old Heads': Question on Stropping???

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
04-24-2011, 11:20 PM
Wolfpack34

My stropping sucks!

Well....:banghead:

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
04-25-2011, 12:00 AM
ace

Quote:

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.
04-25-2011, 12:50 AM
Wolfpack34

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
04-26-2011, 10:24 PM
Wolfpack34

Third Shave Today: What an Improvement!

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...:cool:

WP34
04-26-2011, 10:29 PM
Birnando

Quote:

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...:cool:

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!
04-26-2011, 11:02 PM
Wolfpack34

Thanks Birnando! It is fun...

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

WP34
04-26-2011, 11:18 PM
KalgoorlieBoi

Quote:

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!!!
04-27-2011, 01:51 AM
Wolfpack34

OCD anyone...

Quote:

Originally Posted by KalgoorlieBoi

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

:roflmao

Hey...I resemble that!

I am not Obsessive Compulsive! (But I may be a 'Little' Compulsive Obsessive...):banghead:

WP34
04-27-2011, 05:36 AM
KalgoorlieBoi

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

:roflmao

Hey...I resemble that!

Brother, I think we ALL do lol
04-27-2011, 02:18 PM
Wolfpack34

Quote:

Originally Posted by KalgoorlieBoi

Brother, I think we ALL do lol

LOL! Well then... I think I'm in good company.

WP34
04-27-2011, 02:36 PM
KalgoorlieBoi

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

LOL! Well then... I think I'm in good company.

Truer words have not been spoken!
Welcome to the fold
04-30-2011, 02:18 AM
Wolfpack34

Fourth Shave...GREAT!

Well...today I shaved for the 4th time and WOW what a difference!

I go some great advice from some folks here about...and I took Glen's advice about watching GSSIXGUN's series of video's on YouTube.

I then restored and honed a 5/8 Fredrick's of Sheffield today following the videos closely. Stropped it up and voila...a very sharp razor and a very comfortable shave tonight. No abrasion but the razor was so sharp that I just barely rested the edge on my cheek and I got a small cut. At least I learned not to do that again!

Overall...I think I now know what a sharp razor feels like and now I can practice on my shaving technique.

Thanks everyone! It's Miller Time...

WP34 :beer1::beer1: