Thread: Are we taking honing too Seriously ?????

To some extent, I think this gets back to whether you are talking about maintaining a sharp razor or bringing a dead razor back to life. In the past, before the "throw away" culture, most towns had professionals who sharpened things for people regularly. So, I don't think your average straight shaver - or barber for that matter - was sharpening dull razors the way some of us do. They were mainly maintaining a sharp blade and maybe bringing it to their local pro from time to time. For some, this is a hobby and not just about the practicalities of shaving. And, its fun to play with toys.

Jordan

I see the scope as an aid to learning. No, you don't have to have it, but it can definitely help you shorten the learning curve. Back when everyone used these, there was likely to be someone in town that could show you how to do it. We've got words and a few pictures to go by- and we're lucky for that!

Maybe we do take it too seriously, but it's among the cheaper hobbies to take too seriously

As a relative newcomer to straights (1 month) I can say I was a little overwhelmed by all the stones, strops and methods. Having acquired a nice little case of RAD, I now have 4 razors (all from ebay in various condition but all under $15 ea. - 2 Bokers, a W&B and a Genco). I use 2000 grit sandpaper on glass and an old Montgomery Wards combo stone I got from my dad years back; I flattened and refreshed it on sandpaper/glass and find it provides a serviceable, if not perfect, edge. I'm planning to make my own strop at some point in the near future but for the time being I use a newspaper for 150-200 strops and get a pretty nice shave - after 2 passes I can say it's about as close as my DE gave me. I guess the point is that you can get a decent edge using simple tools. I plan to take it to the next level with a coticule and pasted strop in another payday or two but for the time being I'm enjoying my new hobby with minimal investment.

I've been honing and checking....., then honing and checking....

nope, not quite there yet....hone, hone, hone.....

dial up the magnification....hmmm, what is that slight imperfection I see!? Back to the 4000....Hone, hone hone....on to the 8000, hone, hone, hone...

150 laps on the 3micron paste, followed by 226 laps on the 1 micron pasted hanger.


I think I'm almost there!



Pretty soon, I'll need a microscope to see my razor!

I agree with you ggsixgun! although I am certain that a microscope can teach you a thing or two so can doing by eye and feel! I was a baker for 20 years and many that I worked with considered me one of the better bakers in the U S A. when you mix dough and add ingredients certain things happen, all of which can be seen through a microscope, which I never used, in fact no baker worth his salt uses a microscope because the same information can be gathered through your senses!
To have a deep understanding about exactly what is going on, a microscope can help but for practical every day honing, touch and feel and a set of good eyes should suffice!

I have just been honing for a few months, and have realized that the desire to learn to hone is what truly fuels RAD unless you do it for other people, or you constantly break down the edge you made the day before until the thing is toast. It just takes practice and experience, which many people here, like you Glen, already have. Then the additional benefit of using a microscope may be debatable. But for someone still on the steep upward slope, anything that can aid in possibly shortening the learning curve, and demystifying the art would be welcome.

Another point is that all of the honing tests are subjective - TPT etc. The picture under the microscope is objective, can be standardized, is repeatable, and most people can relate to it. That being said, I still am trying to come to grips with correlating what I see under my $10 RS scope and what I feel on my face.

Originally Posted by RayG

Another point is that all of the honing tests are subjective - TPT etc. The picture under the microscope is objective, can be standardized, is repeatable, and most people can relate to it. That being said, I still am trying to come to grips with correlating what I see under my $10 RS scope and what I feel on my face.

I don't agree with this. For me the sharpness tests are just as objective as what I see under the microscope, if not more so. There is definately a right and a wrong way to perform the tests and interpret the results that can be learned by anyone with proper instruction and practice.

Originally Posted by Seraphim

I've been honing and checking....., then honing and checking....

nope, not quite there yet....hone, hone, hone.....

dial up the magnification....hmmm, what is that slight imperfection I see!? Back to the 4000....Hone, hone hone....on to the 8000, hone, hone, hone...

150 laps on the 3micron paste, followed by 226 laps on the 1 micron pasted hanger.


I think I'm almost there!



Pretty soon, I'll need a microscope to see my razor!

I needed that today!

Originally Posted by Seraphim

Pretty soon, I'll need a microscope to see my razor!

Groove the blade and your wife has a nice looking, quality nail file!

Glen, I am looking forward to a good conversation with you in person in Asheville!

I was explaining my straight shaving hobby to someone the other day and I said that it was like fly fishing. Some people like to CATCH fish, some just like perfecting their cast, some like to tie flys more. The point is, zen can be found in many facets of the one activity. It is so, I believe, with straight shaving. Shave-vana can be reached many ways. Honing, Shaving, Restoring, stropping, are all different aspects that we as a community embrace with varying degrees of zeal. A sensitivity to new comers with respect to that zeal is probably something we should seek to maintain so as not to scare folks off who are unsure or would otherwise be intimidated. I think the community here does a good job of answering questions honestly and with said sensitivity. As for the science/art of honing, I have not ventured down that path yet, so I must defer to those who know more.