Thread: A project in the making...fancy yourself a great honer?

I'd be sorry to see this idea die. Maybe the idea of a "competition" isn't the best way to view this.

Here's the way I see it: I'm coming to believe that most of us hone blades a certain way because we've come to find what works best for us individually. (Some of the true honemeisters probably have a better sense for how their blades work for other people, since they have so much experience.)

Speaking for myself, I don't really know what my edges feel like to another user. I've had razors done by honemeisters that I just couldn't get to work for me. I don't blame their edges--maybe it's my skin, or beard, or shaving technique.

That type of feedback would be great as I work to develop my skills. Hearing, "OK, I shaved with one of Josh's razors and found that the edge was too harsh for my sensitive skin" would be very helpful. A simple "hone off," though, would be very subjective, and besides we all know who would win....

I think different edges have different feels and will work for different people. If there was truely one "best" edge, we'd probably all be using the same equipment and techniques.

Even if it is just one person's opinion, a comparison could be fun and educational as long as we are respectful of each other. The honers could jump in and talk about how they finished their edge. Could be a very constructive thread.

The only problem I could forsee would be if somebody just really stuffed a razor and didn't have a chance to fix it before the review was posted. But that's what shave testing is for, right?

Just my thoughts,
Josh

I should also add that Gawker has behaved like a gentleman in my interactions with him, and I trust that he would provide an honest and fair evaluation. Whether or not this project goes forward I hope to get some feedback from him.

Josh

I would second the idea of killing the idea. We're all interested in comparisons on some level, but I think the comparisons adequately kill the spirit behind many of these honers.

You could ask me to cook you a meal, and I'd willingly say yes, but ask me if I want to enter a meal making contest or be written up as to quality and turnaround, etc, and it just changes the whole thing.

I'm neither a great honer (ok, I suck), nor a great cook (better at bbq than honing, though). I just know how things that I do for free take on a totally different feel when the write-ups come out.

Just my opinion, of course

I agree that results are subjective.
My first razor can do a HHT just fine, but shaves a bit coarse.

The restored frameback does not pass HHT at all. it simply refuses to. But it gives me the smoothest shaves.

And what might be working for my beard might not work for you.
I would like to have feedback from others though, simply to know if what I did works for them or not.

Gawker,

Since some of the guys may benefit from this, especially the new guys looking for feedback maybe just continuing on a private basis would be a nice way to "give back". Let these guys send them to you, you give feedback to them, etc.... and they get a benchmark for how they did behind the scenes. If they did a good job they have the satisfaction in knowing and would then feel better about offering honing to the group. If not up to par they can work on things and improve on their own until they are ready to "go public".

No thread posts, no public scrutiny, no hurt feeling, but plenty of private feedback.
To reduce the variability part (the scientist in me speaking now) use each guys razor a while and when dull let a different guy hone the same one. Keep notes and see how they stack up after the next round.

Just some thoughts so you can continue your kind gesture.

Tony

Recently I have been visiting some of the other shaving sites out there and one of the things that impressed me was some of the just mean spiritedness that goes on on those sites. We don't have that here and that's one of the things that makes this place a great place to interact. I'm with Lynn on this one and I can only see something like this causing problems in our community.

I think we all know who the honemeisters are we don't need to be comparing their jobs which is impossible to do unless you send the same razor to each in the exact same condition which is also impossible so how are you going to compare their jobs fairly. Would you compare Mr A's job on a W&B 8/8s wedge to Mr B's job on a DD 5/8s Hollow ground with both in vastly different conditions?

References to Honemeisters abound here for the newbees that need such services and I don't think I've ever heard someone complain about the result from anyone. Even though you can continue with this on a private basis I would urge all of you to reconsider this course of action I think it is very unwise.

I think Tony's come up with a good compromise here.

I do agree that the best thing about this site is its friendly atmosphere. A lot of that probably has to do with Lynn, so following his lead would be wise.

Josh

Well I'd like to lay this at least partially to rest. For starters I'm pleased that I don't seem to have fallen in anyone opinion of me because it appears that the THOUGHT behind the idea hasn't been lost on anyone. I think it would be a good idea in some respects but a terrible one in others. I simply hadn't considered deeply enough and when I wrote this thread it was late at night and I was very tired but just wanted to get the idea out there. There's not going to be an article and it's just that simple, the reasons against it are simple enough to take them to heart.

However, I'm still going to buy a few razors and I'd still like to send them to various people for my own personal growth. As has been discussed at length the reason this can't be a good idea is the variables such as razor/condition/honer/beard/technique/etc makes it impossible to compare things objectively.

That being the case, and because of admissions from various members that Honemeister A's razor works very well for me while Honemeister B's razor was not an enjoyable shave (where sometimes the A and B is reversed) leads me to believe that if for no other reason than my own information it would be a good idea to continue with the one blade to many people but stop there.

This would give me MY OWN experiences with different peoples work, and in theory could give me an answer to "who hones best FOR ME?" in that I could know who's razors seem to perform best for MY needs and therefore I can continue to use them. I know that Josh understands the good side of what I meant to do, and since he's still willing to hone my newest blade I'll still be sending it to him. And should he ask for my feedback on a private level I'll be happy to give it, and this goes for anyone else who would be honing a razor for me as time goes by.

BTW just to clarify something for Mr Groves, while I understand that you might hone razors for free, and several other members have offered the same (including Bruno I might point out) I personally did not feel right taking advantage of you guys that way for this. In fact I had to ASK Bruno to let me pay him for his work, and I AM paying him for it. That was going to be a portion of the whole project because I wouldn't feel right buying a stack of razors and it seeming like tricking people into honing them for free for a review in my article. I intended to pay everyone for their service every step of the way unless they absolutely refused to let me. I hope I didn't come off bad by mentioning people offered free services...it was not my intent.

AND JOSH: The idea of this was NEVER a competition as you are aware. It just had enough similarity to concern our brethren, and with further consideration it concerns me too. I'll continue the base idea of having many razors honed by many members but now without a grander purpose in mind.

I've been reading this thread and remained silent because I have nothing constructive to add to it. However, I want to commend everyone here, especially Gawker for their conduct. It can be hard to have an idea that you're excited about not be received as well as you hope. Gawker has read everyone's opinions and concerns without getting defensive. He has taken everyone's views and concerns to heart and has remained objective enough to see the validity in many of the comments made.

The rest of you have offered your comments/concerns/criticisms/advice about the idea with no personal animosity against Gawker. I commend everyone for gentlemenly conduct. It's one more example of why this community shines above so many others.

Well said.

James.