Thread: Just got a razor honed

So I took my genco vanadium to a shop that sharpens knives but said they hone razors as well. I picked it up yesterday and it failed the hht and didn't cut arm hair that well. I tried a pass with it this morning but I didn't have that much stubble yet though it didn't feel super smooth. Did I make a mistake taking it to that shop do you think? Or is it just my inexperience leading me to these conclusions?

Don't take it to a knife shop.
Send it to someone who knows how to hone a razor...the services offered part of the classifieds will give you a big list.

Razor sharpening is very different than knife sharpening and I would bet a knife shop gets little or no straight business. I would never take a razor into a typical sharpening place. You need a place that specializes in razor sharpening. Yes a knife shop wants the business and they will tell you they can do it however after they ruin the edge then they will leave you out in the cold.

Hmmmmmm I guess Eric /HNSB turned off the flashing red sign at the front door again...

It says "Never let a Knife guy touch your Straight Razor" I'll send him a note to flip that switch back on again

I used to work at a slaughterhouse. Worked the line for 8 years killing on average of 4000 hogs/day. I can easily say that I can sharpen a kinife and that sharpening a razor is a completely different skill set. Knife sharpening helps a little as you know what sharp is, but other than that a completely different animal (pun intended).

I sharpen my own kitchen knives and camping/outdoor knives...do a pretty good job, even if I do say so myself.

I've watched as an experienced member here honed my razors....there's a vague similarity between the two, and I'm being kind in saying that.

Razors are a completely different animal. Get them honed by someone that specializes in shaving razors.

A less than perfect tool on a brisket or chopping an onion is forgivable, on your face it will result in what could be a nasty cut.

I'm reminded of an old motto on motorcycle safety. "If you think you have a $20 head, buy a $20 helmet"

Your face is worth a whole lot more than the price difference between a knife sharpening service and a real razor honing service.

I had made sure to ask specific if they hone straight razors and the guy said yes. I guess it was an error in judgement. I will try to contact some of the local barbers and see if they know someone if not I will send it out to someone on this forum.

IME...they think they can sharpen everything.

I would skip the barber route as well...they don't really make barbers like they used to. But if you are dead set on it, make sure you get a shave from that barber first and see how the edge feels.

Not to flog a dead horse but you are facing 2 issues here. 1 you are not experienced enough to know if they did a good job or not and 2 knife shops generally have a bad record when it comes to razors.

Going to a known member/vendor where a shave ready razor is guaranteed will eliminate both of those variables. I know it seems (at least it did to me at first) like a huge PIA shipping a razor out or finding a local person to meet with. But at the end of the day makes a huge difference

Originally Posted by Cavere

I had made sure to ask specific if they hone straight razors and the guy said yes. I guess it was an error in judgement. I will try to contact some of the local barbers and see if they know someone if not I will send it out to someone on this forum.

Send a pm to Chay2K here on SRP he is in SLC and can point you right

http://straightrazorpalace.com/members/chay2k.html


ps: IIRC there is an up coming Meet of the "Lather Day Saints" in SLC you might want to check the Get Togethers sub forum that would be a huge boon of info for you to attend..

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