Thread: Need some help in Ft Worth, TX

Just another crazy Texan here, but have you considered investing in at least a finishing stone or a barber hone for touch-ups? I've only been at this for 2 months or so, but my honing success came along more quickly than my shaving success. I've got 8 razors now and about 5 of them are now up to standards, while I'm still working with the other three. Some of it is that each blade type requires a slightly different shaving technique, which had perhaps initially complicated my learning curve, but what I've found that they all have in common and achieving a proper honing technique has given me a feel for these blades that I don't think I would otherwise have.

Another idea is an eye loupe. After looking at my best edge and then the results of my honing efforts, I'm getting more out of feeling the drag with a thumbnail test and looking through a 10x loupe at the edge itself to gauge sharpness and being able to identify a successful shaving edge. I have yet to be able to do a "hanging hair test" with any of my razors, but like I said, 4 or 5 of them are really shaving great now. (either I'm not doing the HHT right, or maybe my own head hair is just not a good candidate for the test?)

I find that just a few laps on my Shapton 16K served well enough to considerably improve at least two of the so-called "shave-ready" razors I've received in the mail. After all, when they say "shave-ready", they mean for THEM. Maybe they're used to shaving off an 8K? Who knows? A few sellers will actually say what their finishing stone is, but most aren't using anything with a spec as fine as my Shapton, so, while grit specs are sort of a funny thing and don't always translate directly from one brand to another or from US stones to Japanese stones, I'm pretty sure the Shapton 16K is among the finer ones, so since I have it, there's no reason why I shouldn't take all my razors to that level.

Furcifer, yes I have looked into hones already. Im looking into getting a set of Norton WaterStones as well as some sort of finishing hone. I know that eventually I want to be able to hone my own blades without having to have them sent off every so often to be done. Right now, this close to the with the holidays just passing it may be a little while before I buy them though.

Im not entirely sure what type of stones were used in honing these blades, but I do know that when I left them, neither had any real hone wear and now it looks to be a bit significant on the spine. I wasnt aware that the spine wore down so fast on each time honing. And I dont want to bash anyone here, but I believe the honing on my razors may have been passed on to a kid to complete, not saying that kids do or do not have the skills to hone a razor, but that kind of worries me a bit.

I would say look up Larry with whipped dog. He is nearby to you and just honed a razor for me which I got an amazing shave from afterwards. I am also new to this hobby and his honing made a significant difference. Also he only charges 15 a blade so it is very reasonable

Well I talked to Wullie and hes agreed to help me out. Talk about a saving grace!

I am planning on eventually buying a full set of hones, Im just thinking its best to learn to shave properly with a real straight before learning to hone. I am also looking at a powered 60-100X handheld microscope type thing.

Originally Posted by TexasShaver

Well I talked to Wullie and hes agreed to help me out. Talk about a saving grace!

I am planning on eventually buying a full set of hones, Im just thinking its best to learn to shave properly with a real straight before learning to hone. I am also looking at a powered 60-100X handheld microscope type thing.

Learning to shave first is a very wise choice, enjoy the journey and your visit!