Thread: Cant shave ATG or XTG??

There's too many variables for me to be sure, but in regards to the stropping comments, I slowed right down with stropping the other day and stopped going in an X and started doing an end at a time (i.e. toe in contact, kept parallel to edge, flip, toe in contact, flip, heel in contact, flip, heel in contact, etc, and trying to go REALLY lightly, and the razor actually seemed to end up being as sharp as when I got it four or so weeks ago. I think maybe it had felt less sharp than the first shave (without stropping; I didn't have a strop then). I think maybe I had rolled the edge slightly by not keeping the strop tight. As I say, too many variables, as I had new cream too, but I think, in my newbie opinion, that stropping technique really had a noticable effect.
Also, in regards to the 'don't hone' warnings, I guess there's got to come a day when we DO bight the bullet and hone. Is it possible to learn to do so by just watching videos? I'm under the impression that a razor needs to be honed roughly every three months. I realise this would be very vague, but I understand you DO need to hone SOMETIME, or is it best to send them away? I guess what I'm asking is, is it likely I'll wreck my razor?

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Also, in regards to the 'don't hone' warnings, I guess there's got to come a day when we DO bight the bullet and hone. Is it possible to learn to do so by just watching videos? I'm under the impression that a razor needs to be honed roughly every three months. I realise this would be very vague, but I understand you DO need to hone SOMETIME, or is it best to send them away? I guess what I'm asking is, is it likely I'll wreck my razor?

The main reason, IMO, to wait on honing is to make sure that you have your shaving technique down, so that you can properly evaluate your honing. If you're not able to get a good shave from a well honed razor, how will you know how you're doing at honing?
You can learn to hone from the articles in the wiki, videos, and asking questions here.
You can learn to hone in a shorter period of time by meeting up with someone that knows how to hone. If there are any meets in your area, I strongly encourage you to go. If there are any mentors in your area, I highly encourage you to send them a PM and see if you can meet to learn. It will probably cut your learning curve in half if you can meet with someone.