Thread: honing razors.

any suggestions for inexpensive razors to practice honing on?
i have purchased a norton set of hones and would like to get right to it honing. but i would rather not start on a hi-dollar razor.
i would like to start on something a little less expensive.

Get some cheap razors from eBay, look for hollow grounds and stay away from the wedges for a while.

Check out the classifieds here, tons of great stuff at great value...some high end razors, but also some beaters that are functional and great for learning to shave and hone on.

Hey Jeb,

I would advocate a classified purchase from a str8 user for a number of reasons. A fleaby/antique store 'find' usually needs restorative grinding to make it ready to hone. This seems foggy to some - don't dismiss it. The best blade I could think of would be a shave ready razor from the classifieds that has no smile (certainly no frown - or it wouldn't be shave ready) has a completely straight cutting edge, is at least full hollow (extra is better), and no warp or wave (hard to check before getting it on the stones). This eliminates the distractions from the basics of honing. The extra hollow will respond quickly. The draw of the cheap 'finds' is more than most can resist. I think you'd be glad if you got a couple blades that were just sound as is - and it would speed you learning.

Just reading your first post

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...er-newbie.html


And the only thing I can say is Cart ---- Horse

You really might want to figure out what "shave ready" even is before you start chasing it

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Just reading your first post

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...er-newbie.html


And the only thing I can say is Cart ---- Horse

You really might want to figure out what "shave ready" even is before you start chasing it

Spot on! Learn to shave before you learn to hone.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Just reading your first post

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...er-newbie.html


And the only thing I can say is Cart ---- Horse

You really might want to figure out what "shave ready" even is before you start chasing it

ok good replies. thanks. i have a Dovo 6/8 and have been through an entire three shaves with it. i guess im doing ok. only a few nicks and the razor burn is getting better. i am not sure about my prep work and i have read a few places that the new razors my need some additional honing before being really shave ready. just wondering. i wouldnt want to screw up my good one first for lack of practice.

i dont know of anyone locally that i can get my straight razor honed. (Hayward Ca.)

so i was looking to work on a couple of buys that would allow some practice time.

so i am up for a lesson. what should i look for as far as shave ready is concerned?

jeb

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Just reading your first post

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...er-newbie.html


And the only thing I can say is Cart ---- Horse

You really might want to figure out what "shave ready" even is before you start chasing it

This is why gssixgun is one of the most respected members of the SRP community: simple, straight-forward and entirely appropriate instruction. I wish I knew 1/100th of what this guy knows about razors!

Originally Posted by mapleleafalumnus

This is why gssixgun is one of the most respected members of the SRP community: simple, straight-forward and entirely appropriate instruction. I wish I knew 1/100th of what this guy knows about razors!

ok i have seen some back patting for comments made. but that does not get me where i need to be. if the only thing you guys can do is brush up a guy that is a vendor (exception to those who pointed me in the direction of inexpensive razors.....thank you) then i am still sitting here twittling my thumbs on what is "shave ready"

i ventured here on the advice from the founder of this forum on the recommendation of his DVD. if this is the response i get.......lame comments about the cart and the horse and some stupid smiley face.......from someone who is respected and has knowledge on the subject and does not give me any advice or input on the subject of "shave ready" then i am "ready" to go somewhere else.


thanks for the intro to the "Straight Razor" forum.

bye

jeb

The only way you can know what shave ready is, is to gain a lot of experience. In the meantime, it's best to trust someone who does know what shave ready is to hone your razor. There's not really an adequate way to describe it in print. There is something on the main page I believe that descirbes a shave ready razor. It's titled something like "What is shave ready?". It's likely that it'll take a fair bit of time for you to be able to identify it for yourself. Pinklather's advice is spot on btw. I spent months trying to hone blades that needed restorative grinding and feeling like a complete loser for not being able to hone. So take that advice! Find something inexpensive from the classifieds that has been evaluated by someone with a good bit of experience, and go that route. It'll save you alot of time and frustration. It is suggested that a person spend about six months shaving with a shave ready straight before they begin honing. This is also sound advice, but not often abided. I didn't either. The reasoning is that, at that point, you will have a better idea of what shave ready should feel like, and hence a clear goal to shoot for while honing. If I can be of help in any way, feel free to PM me.