Thread: Good barbers in Detroit area?

Does anyone know of any barbers in the Detroit area who know about straight razors? I need someone to show me how to sharpen my razor.
I've honed and stropped, but I can't get it cut any hair on my face.

Many barbers who do straight shaves still send them out to be sharpened by guys like Lynn, our founder. You can send them to him or another Honemeister here or you can keep working on it yourself with our guidance.

What hones do you have?
What razors are you working on?
How would you describe your technique or approach?

X

I'd like to be able to sharpen it myself instead of sending it out. My razor is a Dovo Classic 5/8 that I ordered from classicshaving.com. I have the Norton 4000/8000 waterstones and a Dovo leather strop. The razor seems sharp after honing, I think maybe I mess up the edge during stropping. When I make a pass over the side of my face, the razor does not feel smooth and it barely cuts any hair. I've checked out all the help files, but I am an absolute beginner, so I can't really tell what I'm doing wrong. How much pressure should I put on the razor during honing and Stropping?

Very light pressure, let's say from 1x to 2x the weight of the razor. Just browse trough the forums, the posts at the beginig of the honing and stroping forum are quite helpfull...

have fun,
Nenad

I think a lot of guys end up dragging the edge of the razor across the edge of the strop, but I don't know. Maybe watch out that.

With honing, keep the pressure even throughout and along the length of the edge. I advocate rolling the pressure point gently and slowly from heel to tip. Don't overshoot the tip though. And lead with the heel, the tip trailing.

Are you using the pyramid? Have you been through the Help Files? Use the search function where you can.

X

xman, I may be dragging the edge of the razor on the edge of the strop. The strop is only 2" wide, so part of the razor lies past the edge of the strop. How do I avoid dragging the edge?

Strop with an 'X' motion going from 3/4 of the blade in contact with the strop up from the heel the beginning of the stroke, to 3/4 back from the tip at the end. Keep as much of the blade on the strop as possible at all times for stability. GO SLOW and watch the progress of the edge along the strop carefully. Gently does it, don't press the blade down to the strop and hold the strop taught.

X