Thread: Discouraged, Depressed, Disgusted, Damn near Done wit it all!!!

Wildtim,

I tried to hone my razor when it probably didn't need it in the first place. I spent 2 solid days just trying to get it back where it was and came close but no cigar. I put it away for 6 months. My interest rekindled last month so I sent it to Lynn and he got it sharp again and I'm back in business. I got so pumped I've ordered 3 new razors within the last month. I am going to get a razor to practice honing on though so when the new ones need it I'll be ready this time. Hang tough.

Tom

By 25/5 you mean

25/5
15/5
10/5
5/5
3/5
1/5
1/5

or so. correct?

I've been using my shavette as a benchmark for the thumb test. How close should I be able to get to that? Also when shaving, how close to the feel of the shavette will i get? It cuts close but sort of scrapes my skin more than I want. The first actual straight shve Pulled the hair bad but left the skin cool and comfortable in comparison. The sking of the straight with the cutting of the shavette is what I am really looking for and expect I should eventually get. Realistic?

Originally Posted by xman

If you're getting impatient, walk away for a few minutes until you are ready to use your tiome on the stone wisely. Otherwise you're bound for more frustration.

X

I guess I can see what you mean I won't have to shave for twenty hours or so anyway

Tim...

If it gets too frustrating, send it to me. I will fix it for free and send it back for free.

thanks bill but for now I am resolved to get it done myself....It migh be down to a 2/8 before I get it sharp but I will.

That's the spirit You don't want a small nick to have you beat. Now just focus on reducing pressure, keeping the blade flat and moving smoothly across the hone. You'll get there eventually and it will be a great experience.

Tim,

One thing to keep in mind is that you don't need a lot of strokes to get the razor sharp. (Once you get the nick out, that is.)

I think the hardest part of learning to hone is learning to evaluate an edge. Once a good honer knows how sharp or dull the edge is, most likely it will only take 50 to 100 strokes to get it shave ready.

So determination is good, but don't assume that a dull edge means you haven't put enough strokes on the blade yet. It can mean too many strokes, or too much pressure.

It's a tricky thing to learn. Cut yourself some slack.

Josh

Please don't give up, Wildtim.

after reading this massive post i might just decide to send my Straight to lynn once every 2months or so to hone just need to learn to strop with out ruining everything

If it's any consolation, I regularly whacked my razors on the faucet when I started with the straight razor.

I rarely do so anymore. I still rinse my razor under the water but now I automatically avoid the plumbing fixtures.

Hours with a stone is an effective negative reinforcement, is it not?