Thread: Why Beginners Shouldn't Try To Hone

Firstly the disclaimer - this post is based entirely on my experience since I started using a cut-throat razor over a year ago and should, in no way be taken as gospel - just my opinion (and we all know what they're like...hehehe).

Some here will know that I started completely the 'wrong' way on my journey into the straight shaving world by buying cheap Chinese razor and trying to shave with it straight out of the box - mistake number one.

Mistake number two - I shaved my entire face from the very first try using only my dominant hand.

Mistake number three - I bought a couple of razors off eBay and thought I could clean them up and hone them to shave ready WITHOUT knowing what shave ready was.

At about this time I found SRP and bought a shave ready razor from a vendor here - imagine my surprise when it shaved very, very well. (Given my experience at that time a broken beer bottle would have been better than what I had been using...hehehe)
FWIW It's never been near a hone since I got it and it still shaves well!!

I also found out about getting new razors honed prior to their first use and stretching the skin and using light pressure and using proper lather...and the list goes on.

I was infected with RAD and kept buying razor after razor, learned to make scales, unpin and repin and also to hone up to a standard that I was comfortable with..........and therein lies the problem - my shaving technique.

I went to use a razor the other day that I hadn't used for a few weeks and, IIRC, it gave me a great shave last time I used it.
This time it pulled and tugged and was not comfortable at all......"What's gone wrong here" I asked myself, quizzically, "this blade was sharp. Has my stropping turned to s^%t?"

I then had a BFO (Blinding Flash of the Obvious) - I was using a lighter pressure than I had ever used before ie. my TECHNIQUE had improved so much in just few weeks - that the blade I thought was sharp a few weeks ago was now not up to par.

It only took a few laps on the coticle that I just purchased to bring it up to speed (another lesson), however, it bought home to me how our shaving technique impacts on how we judge the 'shave readiness' of a razor and our results on a hone.

I've posted this in the beginners section so that our newer members might benefit from my experience because I see so many posts asking which hone to buy etc. and beginners need to know that, even if they can use a hone effectively, what they need from an edge will evolve as their technique improves.

I apologise if I seem condesending - it is not meant that way at all.
I just want all our members to enjoy the experience of shaving how it is meant to be.

Now all I have to do is tell myself to 'Hang on and enjoy the ride'

Thanks for reading.

BTW It only says 'Senior Member' under my user name 'cause I'm old.