Thread: New need a question answered on when to start honing?

Originally Posted by regularjoe

Calm down there..You've got at least 7 years to figure it out.

I suggest a synthetic waterstone of combination grit 3/8 or 4/8 as your first hone.

Read Gssixgun's monthly articles. One of them in the last few months addresses MOST of your questions. Then if you go back to the beginning of when he started it his monthly articles, you'll probably find the answer to almost all the questions a new person might ever think to ask.

If you ask a question on the open forum, and get fifty different opinions, then you'll be just as confused as when you started. I suggest finding a mentor, and asking that person your questions. That way you never subject yourself to multitudinous differing opinions.

The grits and honing stones will all make more sense in time. I remember when I first got my Norton 4/8. I was so glad they put the grit rating on the side because I thought I'd never be able to remember which side was which. As time passes, and you gain experience, all this stuff makes more sense. Take it slow, be methodical, and it will all sort itself out for you.

LOL thanks I will do that look at the monthly post. there is a lot of good stuff here a lot of info. There is a lot of post on things more advanced then I need to know ATM so I tend stay away from those post until I get up to speed.

As for now I will read the monthly post and I have 1 new shave ready DOVO SR coming next week and should last a while before it needs honing and I will order a new shave ready SR from BOKER as well so I should be ok for sometime. but I want to get as much info and advise before I just jump in and screw things up and get some of my questions confirmed.


Thank you

If you are going to hone up that GD. Read up on correcting the shoulder issue many of the GDs have.

Once that issue is taken care of the gds make good shavers they just don't hold there edges as well as some other brands.

Originally Posted by Castel33

If you are going to hone up that GD. Read up on correcting the shoulder issue many of the GDs have.

Once that issue is taken care of the gds make good shavers they just don't hold there edges as well as some other brands.

No it was a gift I was not as knowledgeable as I am now on SR. It will be my learning blade.

First if you shaved with any straight for ~30 shaves with no tugging or pulling, either it started shave ready or you have no hair where you shaved. It sounds like your GD got a post factory honing. Feel free to keep it in rotation with your others. I have 3 GD 66's that all shave fine after honing but would never have shaved me comfortably with the factory edge. They all needed the shoulders reground.

Honing is both simple and complex. It is as simple as rub iron on stone, and as complex as searching for just the right finishing hone to give you the perfect shave. Some have spent hundreds trying various coticles. If all you want to do is keep your pro honed razors shave ready all you need is a finisher. If you want to be able to fix dings and such, get a 4k/8k combo and a finisher. If you want to do all your own honing including bevel setting, get a 1k, 4k/8k, and a finisher. Synthetics are usually easier to learn on.

I'm not one for pastes but they can be used in place of every step of honing. It would not be easy below an 8k equivalent paste.

Jonathan

Originally Posted by Datsots

First if you shaved with any straight for ~30 shaves with no tugging or pulling, either it started shave ready or you have no hair where you shaved. It sounds like your GD got a post factory honing. Feel free to keep it in rotation with your others. I have 3 GD 66's that all shave fine after honing but would never have shaved me comfortably with the factory edge. They all needed the shoulders reground.

Honing is both simple and complex. It is as simple as rub iron on stone, and as complex as searching for just the right finishing hone to give you the perfect shave. Some have spent hundreds trying various coticles. If all you want to do is keep your pro honed razors shave ready all you need is a finisher. If you want to be able to fix dings and such, get a 4k/8k combo and a finisher. If you want to do all your own honing including bevel setting, get a 1k, 4k/8k, and a finisher. Synthetics are usually easier to learn on.

I'm not one for pastes but they can be used in place of every step of honing. It would not be easy below an 8k equivalent paste.

Jonathan

My GD was honed by our barber we go to he did it as a favor I have no complaints on GD it is doing a fine job I just know that it's not a preferred SR and I don't expect it to last 100yrs.

I am not or have not considered a paste. I have been doing just fine with this leather (cow hide) strop with no paste and no linen. I will continue to use this method as I am a novice SR user.

But thank you for the advice I am still far from bevel still LOL still trying to figure out the honing with some nicks and scraped to the face.