Thread: Factory Honing

Hello everyone! This is my first post here. I've been part of this group for quite some time now, but I've been quiet as a mouse, trying to soak up information. I bought a straight about 6 months ago and, after a few brave but dumb attempts at shaving with it, put it away until recently. I have a little more time now before college starts and I've picked it back up.

This particular razor is the $50 Dovo Bismarck on knifecenter.com. From what I've read on the forums I get the impression that brand new razors are not shaving sharp and need to be honed. While I can attest to that, I don't know where to start. I have a norton 4/8k and a hanging leather/linen(leathlin?linther?) strop from Jemico. I tried to hone the razor, but I didn't go too far after I realized I was probably hurting it. Is there a special routine that the experts use for factory-fresh razors, or just a normal pyramid scheme or what have you?

Also, I'm pretty sure the leather side of my strop is cupped (the edges are higher). I tried putting some weight on it, and it seemed to work, but it took on its old shape after a few hours. What could be causing this?

I've ordered two shave-ready razors and a seconds strop from Tony, but they're still en route and I'm restless

dvarry,

Welcome to the forum and the addictive world
of the straight razor.

I'll leave the honing advise to the more qualified
members.

As far as the strop goes? Once the strop
that you bought from Tony arrives, use that one
and retire the other. You've made a wise decision
on ordering 2 shave ready razors. These can act
as a benchmark for your own honing.

You will definately be amazed at the difference
the first time that you shave with one of your
new razors. You will go from removing lather
only to removing lather as well as whiskers.

best of luck,

Terry

wvbias,

Thank you for the warm welcome. What I find scary is how easily I bought those two razors. I don't like spending money on *anything* and I bought both of them within minutes of each other before I even knew what happened. And right now I'm about to buy another, cheaper one to practice honing on. I can see where this is going... and I kinda like it

Originally Posted by dvarry

wvbias,

Thank you for the warm welcome. What I find scary is how easily I bought those two razors. I don't like spending money on *anything* and I bought both of them within minutes of each other before I even knew what happened. And right now I'm about to buy another, cheaper one to practice honing on. I can see where this is going... and I kinda like it

That's funny and familiar. I don't like spending money
either. I started down this road of insanity back in
Janurary and now I have 8 razors.

Now there are other addiction that may come along
as well. After Shave, Soaps and creams, brushes....

I've managed not to go overboard on the soaps
creams and after shave.

As far as brushes go I only have 2. A Burma Shave that
I bought 3 or so years ago and a Vulfix silvertip that I
bought last year. I'm satisfied with what I have on
brushes. These 2 should in reality last for the rest
of my life.

If you do develop multiple addictions, you are in good
company.

Terry

Originally Posted by dvarry

.... What I find scary is how easily I bought those two razors. I don't like spending money on *anything* and I bought both of them within minutes of each other before I even knew what happened. And right now I'm about to buy another, cheaper one to practice honing on. I can see where this is going... and I kinda like it

You're in good company!

Strops are just leather so they're subjct to the pressures of leather. I did a couple of things to get my Illinois 360 cooking a little better than when it arrived. Conditioning the leather will keep it supple. I also filled a large smooth mason jar with hot water and rubbed it vigorously over the strop while on a table to help flatten it out. I think the conditioner (mink oil in my case) was the real benefit.

I would just do a normal or even short pyramid on that razor if you feel it could be improved. Then shave and see what you think.

X