Thread: Any South Africa Gents out there???? Might need your help

Hey Gerhard, how's your honing going? What have you tried, what's worked / not worked?
I have 4 razors in my regular shave rotation, all honed on my Norton's, finished on my Naniwa 12k with about 15 strokes, and then I use the chrome oxide on my strop occasionally, seems to be working well for me, has taken some time and trial and error to refine each one though.
I've not had any luck with the Zulu grey, each time I try it, it's seems to be a worse shave than before...
But slightly off topic, I've been rather busy brewing craft beer at home, for those who are interested.

Never honed anything although that won't stop me getting some synthetic stones if I enjoy shaving with a straight.

Originally Posted by ddunc

Hey Gerhard, how's your honing going? What have you tried, what's worked / not worked?
I have 4 razors in my regular shave rotation, all honed on my Norton's, finished on my Naniwa 12k with about 15 strokes, and then I use the chrome oxide on my strop occasionally, seems to be working well for me, has taken some time and trial and error to refine each one though.
I've not had any luck with the Zulu grey, each time I try it, it's seems to be a worse shave than before...
But slightly off topic, I've been rather busy brewing craft beer at home, for those who are interested.

Great to see someone that knows honing in Joburg. Some lesson's might be required in future!

Did you import your Naniwa yourself or purchase locally?

Did you guys make your own strops, imported or did you buy locally?

I bought mt Muhle strop from Sharp Edge in Sandton.

All my stones are imported, from shave nation and eBay, but there's a lot of stuff you can make, Riaanrab and I made our own strops, you can also ask him about all the shave products available locally as well, I believe earlier in this thread he posted a lot of that info already. I also made my own scales and pins.

Thug and Hagar, tell us more, what razors do you have, where from, what products do you use, etc.

Currently have a couple of DE's - Muhle R106 & a FaTip Piccolo and should collect my 1st SR, a JA Henckels 5/8" from the post office tomorrow. Also have a couple of SOC's in Boar and Badger and a HJM Best Badger brush.

Generally purchase from Sharp Edge (Muhle razor, strop & brush), RVT on BoB (SOC's, soaps, balms) and then get my Proraso stuff from Fine & Fabulous in CT.

I'm hoping to pick up a Shapton 12k stone later this year.

Thug, that is the best places to buy products that was imported. I did make my own strops which is much wider and longer from cow hide. Made a 3 strops, hanging strop with a linen made from an old jean, just a plain hanging stop and a paddle strop with one side smooth leather and the other side rough leather. With all the extras to make the strops it only cost me +- R350 for all 3. And is works just as well as a R700 plus strop.

For those that is interested in what i have i will post some pics, i have a fair collection of shaving products. Let me know.

And ddunc does a excellent job on honing razors, thanks mate.

By the way, have not been shaving for 4 months know, been trying the "Growing Beard" thing....

Would definitely be interested in looking at your strops and your collection.

The Muhle strop I have is probably too narrow but there was nothing else available. Ideally a 3" (75mm) strop would have been perfect.

I made my own balsa pasted strops (2) from the Dovo paste I bought from Sharp Edge. I picked up the balsa wood from a hobby shop and mounted them to some old scrap wood I had lying around the garage.

Collected my 1st SR this morning from the Post Office. A JA Henckels 78 1/2 5/8" round nose and have just had my first shave with it. Love the audible feedback.

Quite a bit of patina on the blade and tang but I'll get that shining like new over the coming weeks. Just need to find a place that sells 1500 / 2000 grit wet & dry as most hardware stores just sell up to 1200.