What is up with all the honing inconsistency

Ok, so I'm new to all this and gathering info on Razors, strops, honing, different honing methods/stones...etc...etc

Simple question.... If honing is recommended why doesn't everyone do it?
Obviously the real question also incorporates "How often do I have to hone my straight razor?
Well there is not a simple answer.... This does NOT help newbies like myself.:(
I have seen all kinds of recommendations.... From once every 20 shaves to once a year or so.

Well let's go with once a month just for the fun of it.... At $20-30 plus shipping for an expert to do it..... Wouldn't it be better and more economical in the long run to learn how to hone on a beautiful Naniwa Supersone that can be purchased from Lynn for ~ $173 (they pay for themselves in a year)?
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So if we do this for self satisfaction, the art of it and nostalgic experience... Why doesn't everyone have honing stones and hone themselves....?

I tend to yield to your stated logic about honing. But there are probably a million different reasons why someone chooses one option over the other. There's no arguing matters of preference. As for how often you need to have your razor honed, the reason there is no simple answer is because there are too many variables to consider. But when it starts pulling your beard (just like a old Mach 3), you'll know its time. But some guys touch their razors up on a pasted strop and that extends the life of edge a little further. If you're NOT doing that, you'll need to send yours out sooner. If your beard is particularly tough, I suppose that changes matters as well. If your stropping incorrectly, you might be destroying your edge. And of course, it will also depend on how many razors are in your rotation. A guy with one will need to send his much sooner than a guy with a dozen. When it pulls and stops shaving, and you have no answer to that, its time.

If a car need oil change every 3 months why does not everybody do it? I mean here one oil change is ~ $40, I can easily get a filter and oil and do the job my self (which I do). But very few others do that too, most go to the shop 4 times a year and pay for that.

Same with honing , some people can do it some can't or do not want to deal with it.
Your math is off a little bit too, a pro honed razor can be maintained for months before it needs a touch up, and if the person using it knows what they are doing they can maintain the razor for much longer.

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So if we do this for self satisfaction, the art of it and nostalgic experience

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I shave with a straight because I like it, not because it was the old ways etc.

Stefan beat me to it, I always equate honing to an oil change, BTW I do NOT change my own oil, :) but I do hone my own razors, and quite a few other's hmmmm I bet some of my honing customers are Mechanics :rofl2:


BTW I agree that you should learn to hone your own if you so choose...

Am all for DIY stuff (even self prostate exams:) If I pay mega bucks for any razor,it is going to a pro for the first go around.
After that I maintain them with a barber hone or my zulu,is pretty hard to screw up a pro set bevel with those two stones.

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Originally Posted by mainaman

If a car need oil change every 3 months why does not everybody do it? I mean here one oil change is ~ $40, I can easily get a filter and oil and do the job my self (which I do). But very few others do that too, most go to the shop 4 times a year and pay for that.

Same with honing , some people can do it some can't or do not want to deal with it.
Your math is off a little bit too, a pro honed razor can be maintained for months before it needs a touch up, and if the person using it knows what they are doing they can maintain the razor for much longer.

I shave with a straight because I like it, not because it was the old ways etc.

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-I like the idea of only having to hone a blade every several months.... However, unfortunately since I am learning that will not be the case.
-Oil change...too dirty for me, and I'm lucky my car only needs it once a year.
- If it weren't for the old ways we would not know about straight shaving. However, I agree.... It's done because it is enjoyable and it brings a sense of self satisfaction (at least when I shave with my DE razors since I have not started straight shaving).

As a newbie...I have much to learn. But that is OK, I like learning new things and appreciate the comments.

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Am all for DIY stuff (even self prostate exams:) If I pay mega bucks for any razor,it is going to a pro for the first go around.
After that I maintain them with a barber hone or my zulu,is pretty hard to screw up a pro set bevel with those two stones.

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Prostate exams....wow... I quit doing those in Med school.... Now I examine other orifices.... I'm a Ob/Gyn (no funny jokes please...:nono:):D

Much to learn.........

Yep, your first finisher might pay for itself in a short time. It's all those other ones that you *have* to try.... They might be better!

Hey CF,

The only thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet is *When* is learning to hone the right move. I had the supreme humility to ignore experienced counsel saying to first learn the shave - then learn to hone. There's a reason I'm called pinklather. It was colorful. It was a challenge. But it was not pleasant until I experience the smoothness of a nicely done edge. Mine were fairly sharp, but they weren't smooth. Sharp isn't enough in this game.
However you proceed, I hope you have alot of fun. Years on, the enjoyment still has yet to fade, and I'm still amazed that 'joy' and 'shaving' can really appear in the same sentence again.

This is a great question to hone or pass the buck.
I do hone my own blades but let me just say. I HATE HONING. and everything about it. Its a rotten job boring to the end, time consuming and sometimes frustrating.
That being said I wouldn't want to send my gear out to someone else. cause I know for fact that I take great measures in putting the best possible edge on, no matter how long it takes to do it properly. It blows my mind that "Professional" honing people could even make a profit honing a blade for 20 bones. I would be broke in a week if I had to charge that price.
Call me slow or just an overly obsessive perfectionist.

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Originally Posted by Tarkus

This is a great question to hone or pass the buck.
I do hone my own blades but let me just say. I HATE HONING. and everything about it. Its a rotten job boring to the end, time consuming and sometimes frustrating.
That being said I wouldn't want to send my gear out to someone else. cause I know for fact that I take great measures in putting the best possible edge on, no matter how long it takes to do it properly. It blows my mind that "Professional" honing people could even make a profit honing a blade for 20 bones. I would be broke in a week if I had to charge that price.
Call me slow or just an overly obsessive perfectionist.

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Just don't call him late to dinner! :D
And yes! Honing Sucks! A neccessary evil! :beer1:

I purchased a micro abrasive hone along with my first razor because I'd like to learn how to hone. I'd hate to be sending off my razors every so often to have them honed. Just seems like a hassle to me. So I'm going to pick up a cheap razor and practice honing with it. When I feel comfortable, I'll step up and do it to nicer razors. Then I'll eventually get nicer honing stones down the road.

Btw, I am the type of person who likes to change my own oil. Unfortunately I have been living in an apartment complex past 5 years and they have a strict "no working on cars in the parking lot" rule. So I have been forced to get my oil and filter I like from Wal-Mart and take it to the dealer to have it changed (I get the oil on my own because I like synthetic oil and we all know how much dealerships charge for that).

Anyway, I always like a challenge and love acquiring new skills.

I started with a Shavette and knew right away I didn't want to have to depend on someone else for sharp edges. So I learned to hone while shaving with the Shavette. When I could produce a shave ready edge, the Shavette sat idle while I shaved with my straights. I rather like honing, both the act of it and being able to create my own edges.

I live alone..so along with accumulating and renewing razors; honing gives me something to do when the mood strikes. I ain't called geezer for naught! I surely could not afford to send every razor out for a professional honing. I do have pro honed razors which are my reality check after doing my best, and often falling short.
Every man is different, and to hone or not to hone is the question.
~Richard

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Originally Posted by Chreees

Anyway, I always like a challenge and love acquiring new skills.

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I like the challenge and the possibility of a new skill that I may enjoy.
You never know until you try it.... I may not like it at all... but I have to try.

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Originally Posted by ace

I started with a Shavette and knew right away I didn't want to have to depend on someone else for sharp edges. So I learned to hone while shaving with the Shavette. When I could produce a shave ready edge, the Shavette sat idle while I shaved with my straights. I rather like honing, both the act of it and being able to create my own edges.

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Ace, How long did it take you to learn how to hone well...?

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Originally Posted by pinklather

Hey CF,

The only thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet is *When* is learning to hone the right move. I had the supreme humility to ignore experienced counsel saying to first learn the shave - then learn to hone. There's a reason I'm called pinklather. It was colorful. It was a challenge. But it was not pleasant until I experience the smoothness of a nicely done edge. Mine were fairly sharp, but they weren't smooth. Sharp isn't enough in this game.
However you proceed, I hope you have alot of fun. Years on, the enjoyment still has yet to fade, and I'm still amazed that 'joy' and 'shaving' can really appear in the same sentence again.

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Everything in due time is the moral I guess...
I am excited about all of this... but SO many variables.... Maybe I should just start with a blade, a strop, and some Chromium oxide paste and go from there...:-)

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Originally Posted by cfbmd

Ace, How long did it take you to learn how to hone well...?

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It took me a month. I was quite studious about it, read all the Library stuff, watched all the videos and got some in-person help from AFDavisII of this forum. Watching someone else do it correctly can be very helpful.

I hone my own, and have always honed my own razors. Took awhile to learn how and become proficient at it, but it's very much within the reach of most, I think. I learned mostly from reading and deciphering old barber books.

When I started, barber hones were still available in most shops that sold straight razors so that's what I learned and still use. Some shops, like Ross Cutlery still sell stones/ coticles.

I think what might be confusing for some newbies is the mixup between those that just want to maintain a razor for shaving, and those who are either into this as a hobby and/ or are restorers.

I would be the former. With just a barbers hone and a strop I can maintain my razor very nicely with a honing only once a year if that. I generally buy only new stock razors, but have also bought antique store razors. But I am very picky about buying used razors and only buy ones that require very little to no restoration.

If you are into heavy restoration stuff, or are a hard core hobbiest, then I imagine that's when you get into all of the different hones, stones, bench strops, paddles, etc. As far as all the stuff about taping, pyramids, CrOX and diamond sprays, etc....
Not my bag at all.

Maybe some are intimidated by the prospect of honing after reading about all of the different methods and decide they just can't, or don't want, to do it.

Honing is really very simple if you just follow the very few fundamentals and apply the necessary practice.

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Originally Posted by ace

It took me a month. I was quite studious about it, read all the Library stuff, watched all the videos and got some in-person help from AFDavisII of this forum. Watching someone else do it correctly can be very helpful.

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I have been watching YouTube videos from Lynn And Gssisgun... Very helpful.
Just so many choices.... I think if I do hone, I well get the Naniwa set.

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Originally Posted by honedright

If you are into heavy restoration stuff, or are a hard core hobbiest, then I imagine that's when you get into all of the different hones, stones, bench strops, paddles, etc. As far as all the stuff about taping, pyramids, CrOX and diamond sprays, etc....
Not my bag at all.

Maybe some are intimidated by the prospect of honing after reading about all of the different methods and decide they just can't, or don't want, to do it.

Honing is really very simple if you just follow the very few fundamentals and apply the necessary practice.

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Honing would be mostly to learn the trade and keep my personal razors sharp.... And not having to depend on someone else to do it for me.

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Originally Posted by cfbmd

Honing would be mostly to learn the trade and keep my personal razors sharp.... And not having to depend on someone else to do it for me.

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Agreed, that's what I would mainly want to learn it for, to keep my personal collection in tip-top shape at all times. Then maybe down the road once I'm comfortable, I could branch out and maybe look into restoring and getting a bit more into it.

I have a couple of friends who have a beautiful kitchen, but think that cooking is too much bother. Personally, I find sharpening stuff a whole lot easier.

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Originally Posted by mdarnton

I have a couple of friends who have a beautiful kitchen, but think that cooking is too much bother. Personally, I find sharpening stuff a whole lot easier.

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I love to cook..:-)

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Originally Posted by Tarkus

I HATE HONING. and everything about it. Its a rotten job boring to the end, time consuming and sometimes frustrating.
That being said I wouldn't want to send my gear out to someone else. cause I know for fact that I take great measures in putting the best possible edge on, no matter how long it takes to do it properly.

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And that is why I love honing - interesting, isn't it.

The internet can be your best friend or worst enemy ;). With the ability to have almost all information available on any given subject, it can be very overwhelming and confusing. There is something to be said for one person passing on to another person the one way they know to do something. It cuts out confusion and allows you to focus on what it being taught. However, it may not be the best way. I had a pellet gun when I was a kid. It didnt shoot straight, but it shot consistent. I could pick up that gun after all the hours and hours I spent playing with it and hit anything I wanted in one shot. Someone else could pick it up and miss every time. I guess what this ramble is saying is, that even "not the best method" can be made to work well if it's all you have and you have the time to put in to figure out how to make it work. All that being said, it is a great thing to have all the information and experience of all the honemeisters avialable to sort through and see what works for you. :)

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Originally Posted by cfbmd

I love to cook..:-)

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So do I, but I need a little slip of paper with an order on it. That works well at home, where I am the slice-and-dice man and my wife does the thinking. :-)

I tell you.... All these choices make it hard. I'm like a young child in a toy store..

I got so stressed from all these choices...So to make myself feel better I just ordered a new Muhle R41 DE razor to make me feel better...:rock:
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Chrome-plated lawn rake! Fancy!

If a straight gives me as much pleasure as a good DE.... I have a feeling my wife is going to need some compensation after I start acquiring blade after blade.... :-)

Yea... well wait till you think there is "more" out there than your 12K can give you...

Just a thought..
It has been mentioned and buried a few times here. There are local folks called mentors that will coach a person on shaving, honing, and stropping.
What that means, is that they give up a portion of their time for free to help new folks along. Often this may be about three hours the first visit. Later visits..recommended..are usually just a refresher to avoid bad habits.

So, before going into buying a bunch of goodies, pm one of them that may live within an hour's drive.

Learn one good method of all of the above and learn to do it yourself!

Use the hone set up they have and see how they work and learn enough to practice by yourself with the same hone that they taught you with. Usually it may be a couple King's or a Norton 4-8k or a Coticule. All would be usually under a hundred dollars.

A good barber hone, as mentioned in a post above, can keep you going for a loooong time.
Pasted strops are a good way to go..BUT..learn how to use them properly! Otherwise you will not get a long edge life.
Just my take!
~Richard
A good place to start:
Frequently Asked Questions - Straight Razor Place Wiki

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Originally Posted by Geezer

Just a thought..
It has been mentioned and buried a few times here. There are local folks called mentors that will coach a person on shaving, honing, and stropping.
What that means, is that they give up a portion of their time for free to help new folks along. Often this may be about three hours the first visit. Later visits..recommended..are usually just a refresher to avoid bad habits.

So, before going into buying a bunch of goodies, pm one of them that may live within an hour's drive.

Learn one good method of all of the above and learn to do it yourself!

Use the hone set up they have and see how they work and learn enough to practice by yourself with the same hone that they taught you with. Usually it may be a couple King's or a Norton 4-8k or a Coticule. All would be usually under a hundred dollars.

A good barber hone, as mentioned in a post above, can keep you going for a loooong time.
Pasted strops are a good way to go..BUT..learn how to use them properly! Otherwise you will not get a long edge life.
Just my take!
~Richard
A good place to start:
Frequently Asked Questions - Straight Razor Place Wiki

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Richard...Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it.