Thread: It all arrived today!

Originally Posted by gcbryan

One thing I learned is that honing is actually easy. The only reason one might think it's hard is because so many people imply that it is so difficult.

The other aspect is that when you're new you tend to assume that you must not be honing correctly if you aren't getting a great shave.

Before declaring a victory you need to hone a few more that were not already fixed for you to just run for a little bit on the stones.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Before declaring a victory you need to hone a few more that were not already fixed for you to just run for a little bit on the stones.

Thats the key,even I can hone a blade to perfection (for me)If the blade has near perfect geometry,but if the blade has any issues: frowns,smiles.alot of hone wear,large chips etc,all I can do is make them worse am just a couple yrs into Honeing,maybe in a couple more I can get it done.

You see gcbryan - it's kind of like this. This is a gentleman's forum. As such, generally speaking, we are a humble lot. The few who have responded, have been rather pleasant about your seeming arrogance. I on the other hand, well I don't subscribe to the theory that being a gentleman means one has to put up with arrogance unless you have a ton of experience in the field for which you intend to be arrogant.

That said - let me be the first to state that perhaps when you can finish a straight razor shave without the aid of a DE - or when you are actually better at honing than the razors you get from Larry - only then can you be so bold as to imply that you intend to impart information to men who have been in this arena for years, and truly know the "hobby" from the outside in.

Your enthusiasm is fantastic. Clearly you are a fast learner and are used to holding your peers in contempt. This attitude however, will cause you a great deal of angst amongst men you can not threaten. Men on this forum say!

Originally Posted by gcbryan

The reality is that a close shave takes some skill and that takes some time to acquire. Of course it is entirely possible that one hasn't gotten their razor sharp but once the bevel is set if you go though the remaining hones you'll get a sharp blade.

Getting a razor sharp is easy, getting a razor sharp and smooth shaving is another story, and thats what we are all after.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Before declaring a victory you need to hone a few more that were not already fixed for you to just run for a little bit on the stones.

I have another (possible two) vintage razors coming from ebay. It seems to me in that regard it's no different than knives. Some are easy, some are a bit more difficult but the technique is the same. You just have to say at 220 grit longer with a knife to reset the profile and at 1k with a razor to set the bevel.

If I later find out that I'm incorrect I'll post that as well!

Originally Posted by earcutter

You see gcbryan - it's kind of like this. This is a gentleman's forum. As such, generally speaking, we are a humble lot. The few who have responded, have been rather pleasant about your seeming arrogance. I on the other hand, well I don't subscribe to the theory that being a gentleman means one has to put up with arrogance unless you have a ton of experience in the field for which you intend to be arrogant.

That said - let me be the first to state that perhaps when you can finish a straight razor shave without the aid of a DE - or when you are actually better at honing than the razors you get from Larry - only then can you be so bold as to imply that you intend to impart information to men who have been in this arena for years, and truly know the "hobby" from the outside in.

Your enthusiasm is fantastic. Clearly you are a fast learner and are used to holding your peers in contempt. This attitude however, will cause you a great deal of angst amongst men you can not threaten. Men on this forum say!

Clearly you don't the tongue-in-check nature of my post especially regarding me lecturing those with more experience.

There is no arrogance in my post. There is (perhaps) a bit too much readiness for some to accept (without trying) the idea that honing is a profession best left to "professionals".

Everyone doesn't need to send their first razor to someone on this board. That's a little arrogant and self-interested isn't it?

You'd think Van Der Hagen soap was just a bar of lye and only a great shave can be gotten from $25 fragrant soap. Who's being arrogant here?

Originally Posted by Martin103

Getting a razor sharp is easy, getting a razor sharp and smooth shaving is another story, and thats what we are all after.

I guess you'd better send it to Lynn then.

Originally Posted by gcbryan

I have another (possible two) vintage razors coming from ebay. It seems to me in that regard it's no different than knives. Some are easy, some are a bit more difficult but the technique is the same. You just have to say at 220 grit longer with a knife to reset the profile and at 1k with a razor to set the bevel.

If I later find out that I'm incorrect I'll post that as well!

I'm just sayin, when the blades are nice and straight life is all flowers and burgers. When you get the other ones, it is a bit of a uhh-ohh moment. Working razors is not quite like working knives, the only common denominator is that you form a bevel but the technique is different. Like everything else, with practice it all comes together no worries.

Originally Posted by gcbryan

...Most of the other things that I see people worrying about (stropping technique and lathering) are minor in my opinion. They are issues only if you really aren't doing them correctly...

Well, yeah, and it's like that with EVERYTHING!
But when you aren't doing it correctly it's a major problem!

Sounds like you've thrown yourself in the deep end! I hope you're happy with the gear, it sounds like you are making some good choices. It may not be a good idea to introduce TOO many variables at one time, it can get confusing...

Originally Posted by gcbryan

Clearly you don't the tongue-in-check nature of my post especially regarding me lecturing those with more experience.

There is no arrogance in my post. There is (perhaps) a bit too much readiness for some to accept (without trying) the idea that honing is a profession best left to "professionals".

Everyone doesn't need to send their first razor to someone on this board. That's a little arrogant and self-interested isn't it?

You'd think Van Der Hagen soap was just a bar of lye and only a great shave can be gotten from $25 fragrant soap. Who's being arrogant here?

If you have read any of my posts on honing, you would know that I am a big fan of honing as soon as possible. Moreover, I can't be self-interested in this case, as I don't hone for a living and have no affiliation with anyone who does.

I was merely responding to your posts that seemingly imply that there is nothing to honing and we all make too big a deal over it - basically that anyone can do it. YOU may be ok honing out of the gate - but many aren't, and the last thing most of the gents here want to do is encourage bad shaves right off the bat.

I note on another thread you are also telling people to use film to "fix" an area of his blade. I thought that odd advice. I wonder if you have much experience with it as well. Surely you don't have that many razors yet that you know all these techniques? Or do you?