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

I just read another post here, that stated that you really do need a microscope to really learn how to hone correctly.....
I'll be honest here and state that, yes I do keep a 40x loupe in my razor drawer, and I probably will get one one those cool QX microscopes, that BT was taking about....

But I am beginning to think that we might be taking the whole honing/sharp razor, issue way to seriously on here.... Yes I like chasing perfection too, but seriously guys, I really can't see every Tom, Dick, and Harry, even as late as the 1950's checking their razor with a microscope, or even a loupe, and definitely before that, I would say that having more than a strop and one small barbers hone, would be in the "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous"
Those of us here that take this way to seriously, myself included, might be unconsciously hurting an art that just now is on a comeback... we are basically saying that unless you have a honing setup of a minimum of 4 stones at least 2 strops and a microscope, you are not getting the perfect edge... While that statement might be truthful, it is by no means limiting, We need to make sure that everyone knows that you can shave for years to come with your trusty barbers hone, and a strop and get a perfectly serviceable shave just like Pop's and Grandpop's did for years before us...
Please understand that this is a discussion, I am by no means saying anybody is wrong or right here, it was just a simple thought that rambled through my head after reading the same statement again today about a microscope...

What say you?????

I say I've seen plenty of statements in microscope-centered threads claiming great shaves from razors that look far from perfect under a scope. I haven't actually seen anyone yet claim that they use the scope to see if their blade is sharp, so even though I'm impressionable by experienced blade sharpeners I haven't been led to believe I need a microscope.

I can also say though that my blade was giving me a trouble spot a couple of weeks ago, and it was by using magnification that I found a chip in the blade. Maybe I could have discovered it by running the blade on my fingernail, and maybe the nick wasn't what was giving me the trouble, but it was quite interesting to see the blade and its imperfections up close.

Not essential, but interesting and helpful!

I have a coticule. I didn't even know what a coticule was before I started looking into straight shaving and even then until I bought one I didn't do enough research into what it was.

I get a good edge off it, it's not a honemeister's edge, but it's a good edge I can shave happily with. Do I need more? no. Do I need a microscope? no. Could I learn to use the coticule better? yep for sure, I'm always learning and hope I do learn more.

As per the tone of your post - one has to wonder what perfection is, and when "good" is simply good. I shaved yesterday with my newly self honed razor, and I got the best shave I've gotten thus far from my straight.

My last girlfriend made a very interesting observation, she said she wanted things to be "nice", not just nice, or super, nice. I put a lot of thought into this point she made and came to the conclusion that nice was really what mattered, not perfection, not huge amazing crazy stuff(which incidently is fun sometimes), nice. Struck a chord.

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 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!