Thread: First Self Honed Razor

Hi All,

Just thought I'd write something about the first razor that I honed myself.

Well, I bought a few razors from Ebay and got one of them honed for me. The shave from this was great which made me want to get a Norton 4000/8000 stone so that I could hone my other razors.

So, the other day it arrived and I started honing one of my razors with it using the pyramid method. Did the thumb nail and hanging hair rest and it was all good. So I though what the hell, let's give shaving with it a try.

Well, I did get a REALLY close shave. However, It gave me the WORST razor burn I have ever had Infact, three days later I still cannot shave because my skin is really painful, STILL

Oh well. Never mind. Think I just need to go a LOT more gentle with it next time!

Also, when I use multiple lathers/shaves, I find that my lips are relly sensitive and in slight pain for the rest of the day (I use a Kent B2 brush). Does anyone else find this?

Steven

Steven, did you peel yourself?

I could not shave 3 passes as some members do. One or at the most 2 is all my skin can handle. Do not apply pressure when shaving. If your razor passes the HHT it is not necessary. Skin prep is also crucial.

Seems like he did. Scraped the hair off...only takingthe skin with it. That's gotta hurt!!
I shave 4 passes in some places, 2 on the neck and three on other places.

Basicaly you just need to learn what works best for YOUR face.

I think it maight be bause it is heavier then my normal razor and I was using the same amount of pressure. Well, it least now I know not to!

Steven

Steven,

It's also possible that your razor had either a rough edge or a wire edge. I've been able to get one of my razors to pass the HHT off the 4K side of the Norton, but I wouldn't want to shave with it because the edge isn't polished enough.

A wire edge feels sharp but quickly breaks down during the shave, leading you to use more pressure to cut hair.

It might help to try the HHT again after your shave. That'll give you an idea whether the edge survived.

I've been working on my honing for months and it's still a challenge for me to get a razor to pass the HHT. So either you're very talented, very lucky, or your edge is suspect.

Keep at it!

Josh

Steven: when I nick/cut myself or have too much razorburn like that I use a salve called cremicort(by Omega Pharma) to help it recover and lower the burn (contains cortisone). It's a salve against eczemas and other skin issues but I found it helps well with razor burn and healing nicks.

Most soaps that I've tried produce some burning by the third lather. These days I've been using a high-glycerin bar soap called Sappo Hill. It takes a bit of nursing to get it to a full lather, but it's very inexpensive and never gives me the slightest burn. And yes, you might also consider whether the brush is a factor, since some users say that they need a really soft brush to avoid discomfort.

i also would be lead to believe its mostly 2 causes,


1 - you probably produced a wired edge during honing. you overhoned it. if you touched the straight to your face to start a pass and now you have a slight slice/nick at that starting spot....then you definitely have a wired edge


2 - you are pushing too hard to get the shave you desire.. if this is the case then most likely your edge is not keen yet. it may feel sharp but its not ready if it causing so much irritation. try holding the blade just ever so slightly off the skin of your arm and shave the top of your forearm. it should basically POP hairs at their stalk

~J

Originally Posted by harold

Steven: when I nick/cut myself or have too much razorburn like that I use a salve called cremicort(by Omega Pharma) to help it recover and lower the burn (contains cortisone). It's a salve against eczemas and other skin issues but I found it helps well with razor burn and healing nicks.

Harold,

Be careful with steroids! I bet they work but they tend to cause the skin to become thinner. In the Netherlands they are prescription only because of that.

If you use them regularly apply very very thinly. The thinning effect is irreversible.

Well, I finally tried honiing again last night.

I've come to the conclusion that I actually under honed the blade. When I checked the edge of the blade VERY close, I notices that there were some small nicks in it. So I honed them out last night and tried a shave with it.

I did not pass the HHT (I think last time might have been a lucky chance), but it did give a nice shave without any nicks or razor burn. Though I did only do one pass this time, just to make sure

It still suprices me how little presure is needed on the blade. For some reason I just can't get my head around the fact that you should not put ANY pressure on it! Oh well, I suppose that's what practice is for.

Steven