Thread: Chicago Meetup with possible honing tips February 1, 2014

Originally Posted by Utopian

The scope probably will help you with the decision between honing it and swapping it. If not, I tend to be able to offer an opinion on most things.

That's great. My RadioShack hand scope set to 60x helps me see enough to be able to say things like, "Hm," and "huh," and "what the…?" Having you on hand in person to help me interpret what I see will be just what the doctor ordered.

I've been a strict Norton 4/8k man until recently, but have just started in on finishing with a Guangxi/C12k/PHIG and Larry's CrO/FeO balsa strop. I'll bring my complete kit this weekend.

While I've got other straight-shavers there, I might also ask for help on maintaining a tight pivot. I've had some success, but not much. So I'll probably put my 8-oz ball peen hammer into my pack as well, in case we have time for it.

I didn't see this thread although Gonzo PM'd me about the event to let me know. I wish I could attend but my godson has his confirmation this weekend and, as his godfather, I can not miss that. While I seem to have solved MOST of my edge problems one way or another, I would love to have a couple of my most stubborn blades assessed by Utopian to get another person's perspective on them. Was there a location settled upon?

Originally Posted by deepweeds

That's great. My RadioShack hand scope set to 60x helps me see enough to be able to say things like, "Hm," and "huh," and "what the…?" Having you on hand in person to help me interpret what I see will be just what the doctor ordered.

My stereo-microscope has a maximum magnification of 63X, which is comparable to your scope, but because mine has Zeiss optics it is likely that you will see better resolution with mine. Realistically though, for most honing evaluations I find 20X to 30X to be most informative. Most of the time I only use the scope for pre-honing edge evaluation and for bevel setting, but it is invaluable for both of those tasks.

I will also bring a transmitted light microscope which has magnification ranging from 50X to 400X; but 100X is the most common that I use. This one is only for looking at the very edge of the blade while the other scope can examine both edge and bevel.

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

I wish I could attend but my godson has his confirmation this weekend and, as his godfather, I can not miss that. While I seem to have solved MOST of my edge problems one way or another, I would love to have a couple of my most stubborn blades assessed by Utopian to get another person's perspective on them. Was there a location settled upon?

Gonzo is hosting and I believe he is in Mount Prospect. He will likely either post the address here or PM everyone who has expressed interest in coming. I think he was figuring on a schedule of noon to 5PM. Personally, I'd prefer it to start sooner but that is up to him and, more importantly, his wife.

OCD, is there ANY time you can make it on Saturday? I'm going to be driving there late Friday night after work and staying in a motel. If you are free Saturday morning we could meet at the motel. If you would be free later on Saturday I could delay my departure time but we would have to arrange a different location unless Gonzo could host us longer.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Gonzo is hosting and I believe he is in Mount Prospect. He will likely either post the address here or PM everyone who has expressed interest in coming. I think he was figuring on a schedule of noon to 5PM. Personally, I'd prefer it to start sooner but that is up to him and, more importantly, his wife.

OCD, is there ANY time you can make it on Saturday? I'm going to be driving there late Friday night after work and staying in a motel. If you are free Saturday morning we could meet at the motel. If you would be free later on Saturday I could delay my departure time but we would have to arrange a different location unless Gonzo could host us longer.

Let me have a look at the time and maybe I can stop over early and be gone in the early afternoon. I know there is a dinner after the event so later won't work. But perhaps earlier will. I appreciate the flexibility you're offering. I'll reply here once I confirm the times.

I would love to get my shaving edges looked at!
As well as a few problem razors that I just can't seem to sharpen tried out by a more seasoned honer.

I don't want to just post my home address on the forum, if you need my address please PM me and I will send it to you. Looking forward to meeting everyone. I need aaa head count. Please let me know if you are coming? I don't mind people coming and going though. Ron call me and we can discuss some options of starting earlier if you would like. You can for sure come earlier and I will help you unload and setup.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Gonzo is hosting and I believe he is in Mount Prospect. He will likely either post the address here or PM everyone who has expressed interest in coming. I think he was figuring on a schedule of noon to 5PM. Personally, I'd prefer it to start sooner but that is up to him and, more importantly, his wife.

OCD, is there ANY time you can make it on Saturday? I'm going to be driving there late Friday night after work and staying in a motel. If you are free Saturday morning we could meet at the motel. If you would be free later on Saturday I could delay my departure time but we would have to arrange a different location unless Gonzo could host us longer.

Ok, the time is confirmed. If I can be gone by 1.30 I should be ok. That being said, if you want to meet up prior to (10.30-ish?), I can come around a little early and leave early. I'll assume you're staying relatively close to Gonzo's residence. If that time is simply awkward due to you moving things over and getting set up, I can simply meet you both at Gonzo's at the very start. Let me know what works best.

Gonzo, if Utopian and I settle on an early start, I will be around but leaving relatively early. If you plan on getting started a littler earlier count me in. Sorry to be in and out on this. Its just a tight schedule on Sat.

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

Ok, the time is confirmed. If I can be gone by 1.30 I should be ok. That being said, if you want to meet up prior to (10.30-ish?), I can come around a little early and leave early. I'll assume you're staying relatively close to Gonzo's residence. If that time is simply awkward due to you moving things over and getting set up, I can simply meet you both at Gonzo's at the very start. Let me know what works best.

Gonzo, if Utopian and I settle on an early start, I will be around but leaving relatively early. If you plan on getting started a littler earlier count me in. Sorry to be in and out on this. Its just a tight schedule on Sat.

Yes, I have not looked for a motel yet but I do intend to stay nearby. The 10:30 time is fine with me as long as it also is with our hosts. (Gonzo, I will call you some time soon--maybe tomorrow.) It would be much more awkward to do it in the motel because then I would have to unpack and repack there. If you can get your godson to come along, I'll give him a razor!

For everyone, if you need a hone of any kind lapped, bring it and I can lap it for you.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Yes, I have not looked for a motel yet but I do intend to stay nearby. The 10:30 time is fine with me as long as it also is with our hosts. (Gonzo, I will call you some time soon--maybe tomorrow.) It would be much more awkward to do it in the motel because then I would have to unpack and repack there. If you can get your godson to come along, I'll give him a razor!

For everyone, if you need a hone of any kind lapped, bring it and I can lap it for you.

Don't let my time constraints dictate when we get started. I don't want to disrupt things for our host. If we can start before noon, great. If not I'll still be there.