Thread: Ok...so I'm an idiot.

Originally Posted by dave5225

How's your "pro honed" razor compare to the one you honed yourself ?

I shaved last night. So now I can answer.

Honestly, I cannot tell a huge difference. It probably has everything to do with my straight shaving abilities...I think I have much to learn.

I think you're pretty darn good with your hones . Even though I had over 30 years experience honing my various knives , chisels , and plane irons , it still took me some trial and error before I could get my straight razor sharp enough to actually shave my face . I don't remember how many tries it took , but it wasn't the first , second , or third . I think you're off to a great start !

Thanks. I like to think I'm alright with hones. I sharpen most of my blades to satisfy HHTs. I love edges

Still...much to learn.

Sounds like your doing pretty well. So, it's a good time to start considering your stropping. It's another issue, something that takes practice and knowledge. It is also the common act, besides shaving, that is inherent in both razors.

I decided to hone/repair another razor today (from the lot of 3 I got). This time I selected the Imperial extra hollow.

I really took my time and the results looked quite good, so I decided to test it out with a shave.

I am happy to report that this was my best result yet (third shave with a straight). I think I am figuring some things out...but I still have a long way to go. I managed to get no nicks but did get careless and cut my neck pretty good. I think I am really getting the hang of shaving the cheeks and my jaw line...but I struggle with my neck. Good thing I have a lot of time to figure it out.

In other news I wanted to tighten the action of the razor and set out to peen the pin slightly to accomplish this. On the first attempt, it got much better, but (and because I am an idiot) I decided to try and tighten it further and ended up cracking both scales. GRRRRR!

I was going to make some new scales, but I am pretty sure I will opt to find an accomplished restorer to make some nice scales for this blade.

Here is a shot of my handy work on this piece. I really like this razor...wish I had not ruined the scales.

I also have an old razor with loose scales that shaves great.I put up with the loose scales cause I'm afraid they'll fall apart if I try anything.

Originally Posted by unit

In other news I wanted to tighten the action of the razor and set out to peen the pin slightly to accomplish this. On the first attempt, it got much better, but (and because I am an idiot) I decided to try and tighten it further and ended up cracking both scales. GRRRRR!

You mean like this ?

This happened about 3 months ago . Thin bone scales , that I took off a razor with a hopeless blade , and put on a good blade . I just wanted to make it a little bit tighter . You would think I would know better , by now .
I've found , that if I file the top of the pin down some , it helps it mushroom out easier . I didn't bother doing that on this razor because I didn't think it was necessary . Luckily I had a set of Dovo red bone scales that fit the blade pretty good .

Dave --
I hate to see such nice scales as those in your pic meet an unfortunate demise

Sorry if this is out of line to ask...can any of you recommend an approved SRP vendor that can make some reasonably priced G-10 scales and install them for me? I tried searching, but my search-fu is lacking. Thanks.