Thread: How do you become a Honemeister

Originally Posted by Turbodude

However on vintage razors i don't see why anyone wouldn't want to hone their own razor.

Furthermore, how would one become a honemeister if they never practice. I guess my question is, do professional honers have computerized machines or super ultra equipment or techniques that make them a "cut above" the home honing standard.

Was just curious and thought of this the other day while I was shaving, Which by the way was my 4th shave. Doing good...still nicking myself but only because Im going to fast. I watched a video on here yesterday and learned some things so I'm just gonna keep truckin'. Take er easy yall!

I read this thread and your other one, I think what your asking in both is something that comes up here a lot...

Many knife and tool guys, because of the love of the steel and stones often end up here, and many of them ask the same things you are asking...

We all say the same thing over and over many times "Razors are different" many don't believe this...

Here is the best explanation I have come up with to try and explain it ...

Many of the Knife and Tool guys get caught up in the science when they start razor honing, and over the past few years here of trying to explain, that there is no comparison to other types of honing/sharpening, I have finally come up with this statement which seems to make some sense of it...

"The difference in honing a straight razor, when compared to every other type of honing/sharpening is the "Skin Factor" you are taking one of the sharpest edges known to man, and sliding it across your face... It not only has to be sharp it has to be smooth, and that is what creates the difference"


Basically anyone can get a razor sharp, Christ you can raise a burr, then polish it off and have a sharp razor that will even shave,, I can pop an edge off a 1k stone that will shave, where the change occurs is knowing how to get that sharp edge, smooth too, and when you can do that on just about any style of razor Consistently and Confidently then whether you hone for others, or just yourself you are a "Honemeister"

However on most of the shaving forums including this one the term means "one that hones for money and is damn good at it"...

Why most people do not hone their own razors, is pretty simple really, "the time it takes" to do it, and to learn it... Many of the guys do the re-freshes themselves with either High grit stones and Barber's hones or pastes, and leave the bevel sets and first honings to a pro...

The other thing that always makes me wonder is your statement about "This is my 4th shave" did you hone this razor??? if so how do you know it is even close to as sharp as it can be????

Enjoy...

Paypal me the equivalent of $250 USD in whatever currency is most stable as of this date, and I will add your name to the hallowed halls of the Honestergesellschaft.

IMO, you don't become a honemeister. There can be only one...

And let us not forget, it isn't just about getting it super-duper-wickedly-scary sharp. A straight can be too sharp, too well polished and become really incredibly harsh to shave with. It's knowing when to say when.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

The other thing that always makes me wonder is your statement about "This is my 4th shave" did you hone this razor??? if so how do you know it is even close to as sharp as it can be????

Enjoy...

yes I honed it and honestly i don't know if it is as sharp as it can be but so far it does a very nice job and the only time it is uncomfortable is when i go over and area 800 times because i cant figure out my angles and stokes. but i totally agree that for a beginner a pro-honed razor is a good thing...don't get me wrong. Im just being the voice of the hobby. Oh and also, ha ha ha, I know that "honemeister" isn't an official, college degree type, title and that it is more of an honorary one. i don't even think it is phonetically possible to have a half english half german title and have it have meaning...isn't "to hone" schleifen in german? More or less i was asking what it takes for one to become what might consider an expert honesman. Ha ha ha it got yall's attention though...now i know how to title my threads if i need a fast answer

Change your Name to gugi, or gssixgun, or Lynn!

RAD + HAD = all the practice needed to become a Honemeister

Originally Posted by gssixgun

where the change occurs is knowing how to get that sharp edge, smooth too, and when you can do that on just about any style of razor Consistently and Confidently

What Glen said... and for every kind of face.

ha ha ha well Ive already fallen victim. Ive already bought a couple vintages from the bay and i have hones galore thanks to my closet full of knives.