Thread: My Visit With Lynn

This weekend I was in the Cleveland area for a series of hockey games with the team I coach. On a whim and knowing the founder of this great site lived in the area, I sent an e-mail telling Lynn I would be in the area.

As it turned out, he was going to be in town and I asked if he would mind if I paid him a visit for a lesson in honing...an area which he knows just a little bit about. Not wanting to impose, I indicated that, because of the time of the year, I would understand if this wasn't possible. Well, to my pleasure, he told me it would be no problem.

I got to Lynn's around 2:45 p.m. on Saturday and was warmly greeted by his two St. Bernards and his Bulldog. After a tour of his home and all of his straight razor collection and related items (e.g. strops, honing stones, etc...I also even got to see the StraightRazorPlace L/E 6/8 No. 1 !!), we got down to the reason I was there...a lesson in honing a straight razor by THE honemeister himself.

I brought with me three razors I received from my Grandmother. Two of the razors belonged to my deceased Grandfather (one unknown brand and a Weltmeister) and one belonged to my Great-Grandfather (a very old Joseph Elliott). Needless to say, to the naked eye they were all in dire need of TLC. Under the microscope, there was no denying that fact.

Lynn first showed me how to polish up the blades and scales. They polished up very nicely considering the shape they were all in. Next up, was edge restoration. We worked (or should I say, he...) on his 4000/8000 3" Norton to get those edges nice by using the circle technique. After each of the edges were restored, the honing began...first on the 4000 grit, next on the 8000 grit. Lynn employed the X-method using a pyramid scheme. After the Norton and a couple of trips to the microscope to see the progression, the blades went to the 12000 grit cauticle (sp?) stone and then to a diamond pasted strop with .5 microns followed by a visit to an untreated strop.

The last stop was the microscope. Much to my amazement (I won't say surprise because Lynn is, well, he's the honemeister) these blades and the edges looked outstanding...each with a now uniform, nicely polished shave sharp/ready edge. Mission accomplished.

I couldn't help but think while watching the master at work, absorbing and learning everything I could, about how lucky I was to get this opportunity to see, up close and personal before my very eyes what so many people out here have asked to see in video. I truly am grateful for this experience, Lynn. Thank you very much!

I will say the only disappointment was that I was limited by the time I could spend with Lynn. Unfortunately, my hockey schedule only permitted a couple of hours. However, those hours were definitely well spent learning from, and in great conversation with, Lynn and his wife Kathy. Not only did I get to see how to properly hone a razor by the master himself, but I also seen why this site is the way that it is. It was started by a man, an unselfish man, to share his wisdom and experiences of the lost art of straight razor shaving. I believe, based on my experience with this site, that his vision is reflected in all of the members here...the experienced and newbies alike.

Thank you, Lynn, not only for the time spent with you this weekend, but for everything you've done for not only the current members of this site but also the future members and straight razor shavers. It was a pleasure meeting and spending time with you. I look forward to the time we meet again.

Jeff

Thanks alot Jeff,

It was a pleasure to meet you and you are most welcome to come back any time you're in town.

Lynn

It was the Weltmeister today. Shaved like a champ!!!! Next up, the "unknown"....LOL

Originally Posted by str8rzrshvr

We worked (or should I say, he...) on his 4000/8000 3" Norton to get those edges nice by using the circle technique.

Can anyone describe this circle technique for me. I don't think I have seen it before.

jmsbcknr

Jeff, Out of curiosity, how did the other razors work? Were they shavable or did you have to touch them up? Lynn

The Weltmeister shaved great. No pressure at all needed to wipe clean a 2-day growth. The "unknown" razor, the one that had the scales replaced, shaved well also. The "oldie" needs to be touched up. I'm working on that today. I think it will come out just fine.

Thanks again, Lynn!!!

Jeff

Lucky, would love to visit with Lynn, unfortunatly, I don't forsee traveling in that area.