Need advise to learn honing

I'm a total newbie. So far I've had 1 1/2 shaves with a straight razor. "1/2" is not because I cut 1/2 of my face off (fortunately :)) but because I couldn't get certain spots and had to finish with DE. So far only 3 cuts. Small enough to close with cold water. :rolleyes:

Anyway, I've sent my first razor (Dovo bismark) to Lynn for sharpening but I'm really interested in learning to hone. It's not a financial issue for me but rather that I find honing very interesting. What would be the best way to start leaning? I'm afraid if I just buy something off ebay, I won't be able to deal with it. On the other hand, if I buy a new razor, I'm afraid I'll kill it. What should I do? Should I try to buy some of "non-shave-ready" razors from the members here?

Welcome aboard. You adopted a very sensible approach on all counts. If noone comes out with a learner razor, start browsing e-bay and if you see something of interest, PM me with the link to the auction and I'll tell you what I think about it. We should be able to find you one that will make a great shaver for $15 or so. That's what Nenad a.k.a. superfly did for me a loooooong time ago (hvala Nenade :D)

I recommend getting together with someone first hand or PMing RandyDance and ask if you can have a Skype session with him. The other option is to read and read and read. I prefer to keep my information tight and concise. Therefore I would recommend reading the 1961 barbers manual to get a baseline of information down about how to hone and strop (they are synergistic). You can find a copy in the help files, under Barbering Textbooks.

Welcome to the forum.

Oh, I'm not planning to stop learning. I've watched the DVD a few times and I'm reading quite a lot. Which is how I found a courage to decide to hone on my own. This is a strictly practical question about "practice materials" though. Thanks for the input anyway. I'll definitely check out the manual.

Practical equipment then would probably relate to what you have to hone with. I might suggest getting

1. Norton 4/8K hone
2. 2-3 old razors off Ebay
3. a razor honed by Lynn
4. a microscope from Radioshack

Then make #2 look exactly like #3

That may be the only real way to learn since any razor that comes shave ready will essentially be done for you. And .any razor thats been honed some will have a bevel set for you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

2. 2-3 old razors off Ebay
3. a razor honed by Lynn
4. a microscope from Radioshack

Then make #2 look exactly like #3

.

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In that case you'll also need a fine finishing hone or a pasted paddle strop.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

In that case you'll also need a fine finishing hone or a pasted paddle strop.

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AND a few shave tests between sets on the finishing hone to get it right. LOL

Even when my no.2's look like my no.3 they still aren't as comfortable on my face until I do a little (ok a lot of) fine tuning. Its like; 'scrape' nope ten more passes, 'scrape' nope ten more passes, 'swish' ahh perfect:hmmm:

I'm getting 4/8 stone as soon as it's back in stock at classcshaving

I have 4 sided strope from Tony with .25, .5, 1 and 3 paste

I have a razor honed by Lynn

I guess I'll have to start hunting for ebay razors I might be able to deal with by myself.

I also have old intel QX3+ usb microscope. Bought it 3 or 4 years ago when they had them at closeout prices. Just took it out of the box on Wed. I knew I'd need it sooner or later ;) The only problem is - I don't know what to look for under the microscope. I tried to look at the Lynn-honed razor and can't really see anything. Yeah, I could see teeny tiny drops of oil that looked mighty big under the microscope but I suspect it didn't help me much. I couldn't really see the edge nor I know what to look for. I guess I'll have to experiment with lighting and see if I could get a better picture.

or just spend the $10 for a Radioshack microscope, it has an internal light.

The very edge should look smooth and straight. The bevel should look smooth and typically when seen at an angle will start to look like black ice before stropping and appear to be "mini'-striated after stropping. An over honed edge will look like a mountain range in the Sierra Nevada region. Very beautiful landscape, very nasty shave.

Is this what you have for a microscope?
http://www.compuvisor.com/digbluqx3usb.html

If so very cool. It should be made to work, and I think you will even be able to take pictures so you can use them to ask your questions. Very neat. It does look like it has a top lighting feature, reflective light source in the picture. This should give you enough light to see the edge (or get a picture of it). I want one!

one in use:
http://www.robotroom.com/Microscope.html

Yes, that's the one I have. It has top and bottom lights. Unfortunately, it reflects from the metal too much and makes it hard to see. However, I was able to just shine a desk light from the side and take some pics. In fact, I think I've found a problem. I'm going to put it in a separate thread though.