Thread: Newbie here

Been straight razor shaving for about 6 months now. My first real straight is a Daniel Herder that shaves well. I bought some quarter nortons and managed to hone it well enough for a great shave. I recently bought a Wade and Butcher which I tried to hone with no success. Despite holding the blade carefully flat, one side and end of the razor has too flat of a bevel and the other side/end has almost none. I realize I am in over my head with honing.

i would like to learn to become proficient at honing but am quickly realizing I can't learn it from videos. I am in the Cincinnati area. Anyone in the area who could teach me or at least hone my Wade correctly?

Also, my instinct is that the quarter nortons were a mistake, just not big enough. I also bought a quarter PHIG stone. Anyone here successful with such a cheap setup?

First of all , welcome to the forums. I'm sure someone near you will chime in shortly and offer help, lots of good people here. As for the question of "quarter" hones, I am of the opinion that they are really a waste of money and no savings at all. It was something that was conjured up as a marketing tool to this growing hobby of ours. Don't get me wrong, can a razor be honed on them, yes. Is it really any savings ,NO! Your best money is spent on a "full size" norton set up that will last you a life time and do the job they are intended for. Just think, if they were good in smaller size, wouldn't norton already have thought about that and marketed them that way to make money them selves?
Sometimes cheaper is not better. Don't take me the wrong way, this is not meant as a scolding to you or anyone else, just as an eye opener. It's tough to try to jump into this and see some of the money that needs to be spent.
My advice is take it slow, learn as you go and read and save your money up to spend where you really get the most bang for your buck, and that is truly for the long haul.

Originally Posted by Cezzna

Been straight razor shaving for about 6 months now. My first real straight is a Daniel Herder that shaves well. I bought some quarter nortons and managed to hone it well enough for a great shave. I recently bought a Wade and Butcher which I tried to hone with no success. Despite holding the blade carefully flat, one side and end of the razor has too flat of a bevel and the other side/end has almost none. I realize I am in over my head with honing.
i would like to learn to become proficient at honing but am quickly realizing I can't learn it from videos. I am in the Cincinnati area. Anyone in the area who could teach me or at least hone my Wade correctly?

Also, my instinct is that the quarter nortons were a mistake, just not big enough. I also bought a quarter PHIG stone. Anyone here successful with such a cheap setup?

Quarter nortons wil result in 4x as many strokes and more lapping IMO. The size of the hone I believe is no accident. If you want to get in cheaper, get a 1200 dmt for bevels and use 3 and 1 micron lapping film. Then a pasted linen strop with crox. I happen to like film, but I like hones also. The film will do what you need to accomplish without a large expense upfront. BUT, the film can tear and it does wear out. When it wears, a 3 micron film will act like a 2 micron. Hones that are 4k are always that grit. In the end there is no free lunch! A setup of film for a few razors will be more economical unless you start honing alot. I use film more for razors that are shaving and need a touchup. Its easier to keep em sharp than to sharpen em!. The blade you are talking about may have a warped spine. That would require (if it is, I havent seen it) a LONG time on a coarse hone to set the bevel. Use a black magic marker to mark the edge and spine. Take 5 laps and see where the hone is making contact and where it isnt.

Originally Posted by Cezzna

Also, my instinct is that the quarter nortons were a mistake, just not big enough. I also bought a quarter PHIG stone. Anyone here successful with such a cheap setup?

The seller. He successfully sold them. Your instincts are/were correct.