Newbie who just Had to Hone (OK, I chose to)

**ColonelG** · 09-19-2013, 02:09 PM

Hello All!

Been SR shaving everyday for close to 3 weeks.
Now doing entire face; 2 passes (WTG and XTG) and I'm getting Damn Fine Shave (DFS) results (Ralf Aust 5/8 from SRD).

Having spent a lot of time on this site, I NEVER intended to hone this early in the learning curve. BUT after I managed to tap my SR against the faucet and chip it (small), my mind raced (bad sign I know, BUT I JUST GOT THE SR). I could 'see' the chip with the naked eye and when I looked under a jewelers loop it was a TRENCH.

I did the thumbnail test as was suggested here and Man-Oh-Man could I tell the SR was messed up.

Rather than send the SR back to SRD for repair and be without the SR for any length of time, I decided to 'man-up' once again and take matters into my own hands. I figured that if I totally messed it up, Lynn or Don could fix it.

I managed to get my hands on a Kleen-Kutter barber hone (K20 in the original vintage metal case with really nice graphics) for $20 and prepped it (lapped it) as per instructions from this site (BTW, this site continues to serve with all the information). [anyone familiar with the K20?]

After reading about honing and watching various videos I sat and worked the blade until the chip was gone.
Did the thumbnail test again and all was fine.
I used the web side and leather side of strop, and put steel to face for the 'real test', the Shave Test.

My razor shaved 'fine' but I noticed two distinct differences
1. The angle of attack is now different; a little less than before.
2. The SR is simply not as sharp as it was before. It's not pulling; my eyes are not watering; I'm not nicking/cutting myself. I can just tell it's NOT like it was.

SO, the newbie in me is thinking, "hey you 'done good' (no chip and it shaves well-what more do you want)"...BUT the perfectionist in me is thinking, "you really screwed up your razor."

My guess is I'll rec'v a lot of replies saying I never should have used the Kleen Kutter to repair the chip...

When the razor dulls and stropping won't bring it back I plan to send it to SRD with a note about what I did to 'fix' the SR and ask them for some 'special attention'. Hey, I've got the coupon for a free honing since I bought the SR from them, and if it ends up costing me a little more, so be it.

Thanks to all who post and maintain the site so newbie's like myself can chose to try to handle things themselves if we so desire. I'm still wondering if it wouldn't have been better to just send my SR to a pro to correct the chip?

** Of course in my mind the real lesson learned is to have at least 2 SR's. I wouldn't have hesitated to send it out if I had another SR in the line-up. Christmas isn't that far off...I'll drop some none to subtle hints

V/R
g

**gssixgun** · 09-19-2013, 02:27 PM

Well you did better then most and at least you had a back up plan

Keeping the back up plan of Lynn & Don close by

You might try a few "Tricks" on the BH

Here is a quick Vid I did some time back to try some things, if it doesn't get you where you need to be take the "Honing Hat" off put it firmly in hand and send the razor back to SRD

gssixgun Barber Hone.wmv - YouTube

**Birnando** · 09-19-2013, 02:29 PM

All in all I think you did just fine.
Sure, the tools was perhaps not ideal for that kind of job, but you learned from using it, and you managed a shave from it.
Not bad, I'd say.

That you didn't quite reach Lynn's level of honing, well that is to be expected.
We are quite a few here who continuously try to reach his levels when it comes to honing.
Dude can hone, simple as that!

Keep at it, get yourself a second razor and start reading up on the various honing threads around here

**ColonelG** · 09-19-2013, 02:42 PM

Thanks for the effort and passing on the knowledge Glen. I'll certainly study this one.

Let's hope this makes my 'Honing Hat' less of a Dunce Cap.

**ColonelG** · 09-19-2013, 04:37 PM

Thanks for the encouragement Birnando.
I'll keep at it!
+1 for another SR

**BobH** · 09-19-2013, 05:15 PM

Yea, so you did not do the recommended thing but did it yourself and it worked out well, congrats. You got a shave able edge out of it and a lesson in honing too. You could not ask for a better result even if not up to pro spec sharpness. Bet you are itching to get hones and get right into it and I don't blame you. Have fun.

Bob

**ColonelG** · 09-19-2013, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by BobH

Yea, so you did not do the recommended thing but... You could not ask for a better result even if not up to pro spec sharpness. Bet you are itching to get hones and get right into it and I don't blame you. Have fun.

Bob

Bob,
You are another great example of why I really like the group of men (and women) assembled here; Very encouraging, very understanding and very helpful. Thanks again.

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