Thread: Why Beginners Shouldn't Try To Hone

I always tell the new guys that the only hone they ever NEED is a barbers hone. Once they know what they are doing then they can move on to bigger and better things.

An excellent post and thread, thank you!

What I great rant, wish a lot of the newbs would read it and heed the journey you experienced...

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

I always tell the new guys that the only hone they ever NEED is a barbers hone. Once they know what they are doing then they can move on to bigger and better things.

An excellent post and thread, thank you!

You said "need" on this forum

Yeah, very good advice. I'm doing a lot more ATG these days, especially since I shaved off my goatee the other week. I use really light pressure for this and a really light grip, with just two fingers, holding the razor really loosely. I mention this as you spoke of how light a pressure you use now and may not have before. I really think with a skill like shaving, you just keep getting better, but sometimes you realise something and might change your technique based on the BFO scenario you spoke of! :-)

Good advice. Been at it nine months and still notice subtle improved changes in my shaving tecnique. I bought a Naniwa 12k a couple months back, still have yet to use it and am glad I haven't. After the first of the year I might delve into snagging a razor and give a norton 4/8 a go. Very nice post!

Good post. I am finding that when I am tempted to apply a little more pressure during the shave, that's when a touchup is needed. Previously I was only responding to when the razor started tugging. More pleasant to notice this earlier than later.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Yeah, very good advice. I'm doing a lot more ATG these days, especially since I shaved off my goatee the other week. I use really light pressure for this and a really light grip, with just two fingers, holding the razor really loosely. I mention this as you spoke of how light a pressure you use now and may not have before. I really think with a skill like shaving, you just keep getting better, but sometimes you realise something and might change your technique based on the BFO scenario you spoke of! :-)

Just like scaring targets with an SLR, eh

I was skeptical when I first saw this thread title; how wrong was I?

Thanks for the great thoughts and sharing of your experiences. I was commenting last night (in regards to my kids) about the value in being able to learn not only from our own mistakes, but the mistakes of others! Thanks again.

FWIW, Kingpin, I still 'label' myself a beginner.
Hang on and enjoy the ride

Great Thread,Thx for posting.
My take is,for newbs,one should have a mindset that the shaving implement of choice will deliver the finest results if treated as a precision tool (which the best of the best are IMO).
The tool in the beginning should have an edge created by an expert so the newb can get off to a great start from the getgo, and have a baseline of what a real edge is like.
As for honing,it is really not rocket science,but it is an art,the core componants of which are,Create a proper bevel,than refine said bevel,Realize that to do so,one has to have an understanding of the abrasives used,and most importantly the geometry of the blade.
Spend months just shaving,and studying how you are going to replicate the edge the expert made for you.
Than hit the hones with caution,and knowing you are dealing with a precision tool,on a microscopic level.
Have fun.