Thread: “Ain’t no honemonster no more”

I’ve been honing a number of flea market and ebay razors recently and I think I’ve finally got the hang of it. I’ve been getting consistent results and I’m very happy with my progress. I’m about ten million razors away from honemeister, of course, but I ain’t no “honemonster” no more either.

And I’m not using anything particularly exotic. After setting the bevel, I use my Norton 4000/8000, followed by my N12K, then CO on leather, and finally stropping on clean leather. For the newbies out there: it’s not rocket science – it just takes patience and lots of practice.

There’s something very satisfying about taking a junk thrift store find and turning it back into the precision cutting tool it once was.

Just thought I’d share my progress. Thanks for enduring.

that is what it is all about, makes you fell good to get it done

Have you tried pasteless honing?

Originally Posted by ace

Have you tried pasteless honing?

Interesting that you ask. Without paste I can still get a decent edge, but I can't quite get that "OMG that was a great shave" edge. As a result, I keep the CO step in the mix. Perhaps I need to practice without pastes more???

I'll let those more skilled than I recommend next steps. But VERY BIG CONGRATS is in order! Its wonderful to shave w/ your own edges and like the shave. Your progress from here will go on, but getting a decent edge is an accomplishment. Hat's off to the DIYGUY.

Awesome! Now come over to my place and get to work!! :-)

Originally Posted by diyguy

Interesting that you ask. Without paste I can still get a decent edge, but I can't quite get that "OMG that was a great shave" edge. As a result, I keep the CO step in the mix. Perhaps I need to practice without pastes more???

I'm not suggesting that you avoid paste, just wondering if you had tried it. I've had poor luck with diamond spray and found that I had so many variables in the mix that I couldn't tell what was working and what wasn't. I've never tried pastes, but do have some. Maybe I'll give it a shot on some spare leather strops I have, but so far I've done reasonably well without it. Maybe I was viewing it as a bit of a "crutch", but there's nothing wrong with getting a sharper and smoother edge, eh? Hmmmmmmmmmm. I think you've inspired me, thanks!

Originally Posted by ace

I'm not suggesting that you avoid paste, just wondering if you had tried it. I've had poor luck with diamond spray and found that I had so many variables in the mix that I couldn't tell what was working and what wasn't. I've never tried pastes, but do have some. Maybe I'll give it a shot on some spare leather strops I have, but so far I've done reasonably well without it. Maybe I was viewing it as a bit of a "crutch", but there's nothing wrong with getting a sharper and smoother edge, eh? Hmmmmmmmmmm. I think you've inspired me, thanks!

There are many pathways on the road to honing enlightenment. Some are well worn from all that have gone before and some are overgrown with vegetation because so few use them. Some are safer than others and some more dangerous with steep drop offs and chances of slipping on ice. In the end they all take you to your goal. It's all a matter of do you want to take the safe path or be more adventurous and experience thrills and maybe disappointment.

You learn by doing and encountering new situations and dealing with those situations and mastering the solutions.

Such person who is inquisitive, inventive and curious and puts those qualities into practice will truly become a Honemeister in good time.

(your zen moment for the day).

I cannot think of anything to say here but: THANKS!

Originally Posted by ace

Have you tried pasteless honing?

Originally Posted by diyguy

Interesting that you ask. Without paste I can still get a decent edge, but I can't quite get that "OMG that was a great shave" edge. As a result, I keep the CO step in the mix. Perhaps I need to practice without pastes more???

I wouldn't worry about "pasteless honing" at all. The majority of our honemeisters use paste of some sort, there's no shame in using them.