Thread: First use of a Hone

I have ben using a Dovo as my main razor, shaving with it almost daily for a couple of months, stropping it daily. I thought I would do this to see how long it would go without honing.

Last couple of days i have felt that my face was still a little "grainy", can't say that I felt any pulling whilst shaving.

I thought, is it time to use that honing certificate that came with the razor? or shall I take a look at the three Naniwa stones I ordered with it, that have been doing an absolutely outstanding job of sitting on top of my wardrobe, in the packaging they arrived in?

So yesterday evening I got the Naniwas down, I completely ignored the 5000 and the 8000, though they were jumping up and down and waving at me shouting Pyramid, I took the 12000 out of it's box, peeled the label off it, and put it in a bowl to soak, whilst I took a tea break.

I then opened the packaging of my DMT 325, (which has also been doing quite a magnificent job of sitting on top of the wardrobe), I then lapped the stone as I had seen gssixgun do on one of his videos (though I didn't look as cool, on account of the orange washing up bowl I was using on the coffee table, you can tell I live alone, right)

I then picked up my razor, but then decided it was time for another cup of tea.

After the tea (Assam) I put more water on the stone, then did the most careful 10 x strokes you can imagine, at this point I realised that I was getting faint as i was holding my breath.

Well, this morning I got up had my shower, soaped up and stropped the razor. Do you know, when I shaved with it, I fancy that it felt a trifle sharper, not only did I not completely ruin the blade, but I actually improved it! It was a great shave.

The first time I put my dovo on the stones I done the same thing and got the same results.

It was a good feeling!

Congratulations on the success!

You deserve some award for awesome patience and restraint! The more typical noob honer would be all over the place, saying he spent 5 hours on each stone, then complain the razor didn't shave good.

Congrats!

Congratulations. I am glad you had great success right out of the box.

I have only been using a Franz Swaty stone to refresh the edges on my razors. I started out with my Junkers and found it worked. I also watched Lynn's videos and Glen's videos for help. Now I feel fairly comfortable refreshing an edge on even my best razors. HONING? That is another matter. I need to buy a 4000/8000 stone. I currently have a Japanese 800 grit and the Swaty. I can set a bevel on my Chroma kitchen knives with the 800 grit (that came with the set) but I have not tried a razor yet.

You could probably lap your 8k - in anticipation of actually using it at some point - but I guess you don't really need it right now.

Most guys break out that warped 400 oilstone they used on lawnmower blades and then complain coz they can't shave any longer...

Sounds like you're off to a good start.

Originally Posted by Blix

You deserve some award for awesome patience and restraint!

lol i agree! As soon as i got my stones i was hunting eBay for an old worn razor i could test them out on. Now i have more stones coming and again I'm trying to get another old razor.
Sometimes i cant help my self.

I was good with my main razors though. my 6/8 Dovo was my first real razor i tested on my stones, only 10 or so strokes on my 10k. Worked a charm!

I have the Naniwa 12K as well and never soak it. I don't know if it will do it any harm, but when I use it water just sits on top of it so soaking is not necessary.

Originally Posted by Brighty83

lol i agree! As soon as i got my stones i was hunting eBay for an old worn razor i could test them out on. Now i have more stones coming and again I'm trying to get another old razor.
Sometimes i cant help my self.

I was good with my main razors though. my 6/8 Dovo was my first real razor i tested on my stones, only 10 or so strokes on my 10k. Worked a charm!

Hehe, I know all about it too, I bought a bunch of $20 eBay straights when I started out, and have had great fun getting them into shavereadyness.
Today will be exiting, I have a NOS Japanese straight waiting for me at the post office, can't wait to hone it and shave with it!