Thread: Sharpening a New Razor

Originally Posted by suzuki

I have a couple of brand new razors - the first is a 5/8 Dovo and the second is a 6/8 Fridor.

I assume I should start with pyramids on the 4/8 and then move to my pasted paddle after I can pass the HHT off of the 8.

How many laps does this usually take - I want to avoid overhoning.

I'm going to practice on some e-bay specials before taking the chance of ruining brand new razors, but wanted some info up front.

Thanks guys.

The first thing you need to do with a new razor is evaluate it. It makes no sense to just jump into pyramids or whatever. It's not likely, but the razor may require little or no honing.

So the first thing I would do is a sharpness test, whichever you like. Try cutting forearm hair. If it's almost there or even part way there, you only need to do a little work on the 8K, tetsing frequenly so you can se what's going on. If it doesn't cut, try the thumbnail test to determine the state of the edge. See the discussion at classicshaving.com, the section "how to ... and why", where it talks about honing. What you do will be determined by the result. Most likely, the edge will be just a little dull. At that point you can start honing. You might try something like conservative pyramid, tetsing frequently, because you reall don't knowhat to expect.

As far as testing goes you should never do the thumnail test first, because you'll dell a razor that's already reasonably close. Also that test should never be repeated after it's passed. At that point you should do only sharpness testinting.

Originally Posted by TomlinAS

That's one of the places that has them for 74.99. Man. :/

http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vsho...me.php?cat=115

$69.99 @ Vintage Blades, plus the prop. there, Jim Ayers, is a member here.

I usually just do a few light passes on the coticule...did that with my TI and it came out scary sharp.