Thread: Razor for Honing Practice

That's a nice looking razor. I'd tape the spine before I begin honing.

Update: I polished the razor with MAAS per suggested, and it cleaned up very nicely. Honed it using the 1k-4k-8k-12k-0.5 Spray, stropped it and it was passing the hanging hair test. Shaved with it and nicked myself a few times, but it was defi Italy very sharp. Easily was cutting the hairs. I think I'm starting to get the hang of honing. Now I just need to improve my shaving technique.

On a slightly more philosophical note I've never personally understood the logic behind learning to hone on a junky razor. I mean, I get it - but I've always thought you should begin how you mean to continue. Learn on a decent razor, even a brand new razor - if you are the sort of person who is worried enough about it to think you need a crappy razor to learn on, you are the sort of person who wouldn't ruin (however that might happen - not sure myself) a new razor on your first honing attempt.

Case in point - bbaug14: when you honed this razor above, did you even come remotely close to hurting it in any way, shape or form? Did the tip look like it wanted to break off? Did the edge crumble? Did the scales shatter?

I just don't understand what people think is going to happen to a razor that is so bad on their first honing attempt. It takes many many strokes on a low grit hone to ruin the geometry of a razor, usually over a substantial period of time as well.

Please note this is not a rant at the OP, just something I have wondered about for quite some time now. You wanna learn to drive a Ferrari, use a Ferrari not a clapped out 50 year old dodge with no clutch.

JMHO.

James.

I was thinking about getting a cheap eBay razor to practice .... Jimbo....I think you just convinced me not to! But keep in mind if I buy one more SR because I messed up my nice one... I'm telling my wife it's your fault! How did you know I had a truck like that!!

I understand the point you're making and almost completely agree. I should state I didn't buy some junk razor simply to see if I could put an edge on it. It's a Boker Tree stamped blade with a lot of life left on it in good shape. So, for all intents and purposes it's a pretty decent cutter. It's not as nice as my brand new Boker from SRD, but I also wasn't prepared to drop that kind of money again until my knowledge and skill levels are where they need to be. I guess my point is I did t set out to just buy some junk, but more so something reasonably priced that I can shave with and learn on. This razor is now in my rotation and does a great job. No complaints.