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

Hi,
So I am new to SR world I was given a Gold dollar razor as a gift after I commented how I liked the way my barber did my line ups with a shavette. I found this web site and started to read about the MANY SR and noticed Gold dollar is not a recommended brand. So I bought a DOVO shavette for now and I ordered a DOVO $114.00 SR and a $40.00 strop. My next one will be a BOKER since I have fallen in love with the art of SR and the better shave I get keep in mind that was with a Gold dollar so I can only imagen what the real deal will be like (DROOL)!!!

SO my question is how long should it be before I even need my first HONE and how often do I need it to be HONED I shave about every 2-3 days. I know its recommended to send it out to get it done which I will the first 2x BUT I would like to learn to HONE my own and save the shipping fees and price to have it done.

Would a 8k stone be all I need? to keep it sharp?

So I figured I use the GOLD DOLLAR to learn how to HONE. I know to strop before every shave about 60 strokes the night before I want to shave. I want to learn all this so I can pass this to my 5rd old son when he is old enough to shave and start a tradition. THANK YOU!!!!!!!

I've heard close to six months or as soon as your razor starts pulling your hair. It's one of those "it depends" questions because everyones beard is different...thick, thinner, and number of times you shave per week. I'll go with as soon as your razor starts pulling your hair. Good luck!

Just wanted to add if ur stropping routine is good.u can usually go a decent amount of time. Everyone is different. Treated strops and touch up with them will also delay the time between honings. Quick question is ur razor honed and shave ready? Because u really should get one really shave ready and honed by a member in the member service area so.u know what the razor should feel like.. when the strops stop working its hone time im.also new to.honing not sr shaving.. plenty of great info here on that topic watch videos ask question read forums.. the guys here are great caring people who.will always help.
Good luck.

I ordered a shave ready DOVO and a leather horse strop no linen. I use a basic cow hide strop now. I don't use paste I wasn't to sure about using that I get very mixed thought's on that more negative then positive.

I been reading topics on here for the last month or so I have learned a lot but the honing is confusing and what grit to use I seen 4k and 8k and others say only 8k and only use 12k to 18k so I will be reading as much as I can on honing. I used the GD for a month and have had no tugs or pulls yet but I do strop about 60x if I keep count day before shave. I just don't want to ruin my new SR when I get it. Honing is the most confusing part of all this!! I won't be doing any restoring any SR just keeping it sharp is my main purpose!

Ok i.have a 4/8 Norton which i love.. the pyramid is a step bu step way to hone for anybody it works.. look up pyramid honing. And also.the janorton thread.. great stone cheap and it does it all.. i have good look with diamond spray on a modular strop.. concentration on ur strop laps once u get stropping down give honing a try if u cant get it,have patience it comes i.can.hone.fairly well now.. buy a good back up razor look.in member classifieds for a good price back up i feel the 4/8 Norton can't b beat for.noobs.. once u get into bevel setting u can.do.it with the norton also a 1k just goes quicker.. start with the nortom

My opinion

ok thank you i will look into the 4/8k stone I have seen many comments and that as well. I will look up pyramid and janorton.


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.