Thread: Honing Frustration, and a question

New razors are nice.

But wouldn't it be cool to say that you fixed a problem razor that you went from having no idea what was going on with it to feeling accomplished in fixing it when you go to shave with it and its awesome. I've not had a serious problem like this myself but if I did then I would try to fix it before I sent it out unless it was really really expensive or a one of a kind deal.

But of course new razors are nice....

Originally Posted by cosperryan

New razors are nice.

But wouldn't it be cool to say that you fixed a problem razor that you went from having no idea what was going on with it to feeling accomplished in fixing it when you go to shave with it and its awesome. I've not had a serious problem like this myself but if I did then I would try to fix it before I sent it out unless it was really really expensive or a one of a kind deal.

But of course new razors are nice....

I agree. I used to fix old chisels. Damn near every good, old (but I repeat myself) chisel you find at yard sales and ebay are bellied. Which is probably why they are 100 years old and not 1" long.

Then I figured out that grinding and grinding and grinding and grinding for hours on 60 grit sandpaper was my least favorite part of any hobby. Maybe I'll dedicate 15 minutes per side on my xx coarse atoma. If that fixes it, polishing up from there will be fast.

If that doesn't fix it....chock it up to experience.

Progress. I reground both sides, honed, stropped, got a better shave. Still too rough, and (very) uncomfortable against the grain on the moustache. BUt...progress.

Now, I'm making an error and could use some insight. One side cuts much better than the other. I know this is a 'honer error'. When you see this, does this mean that the stroke on the side that is cutting poorly is wrong, or the stroke on the side cutting will is wrong?

Edit: last night after posting ^^^^ I went back to the hone and spent a lot of time with only clear water and the lightest, most delicate possible touch I could use and still keep the blade on the stone. This morning I got a shave that was "good". Most importantly, it was comfortable. Room to improve, but what it lacked was, I'm sure, due to user error during the shave.

In any case: razor fixed, razor honed, problem fixed!!!

Now, on to learning how not to cut my strop.

I haven't ran into this but one of my converts has a real problem. He keeps lifting the spine of his razor while stroping. And it's time for me to go over a home with his razor. So is there a grit advised to start at for any of you honemeisters out there. Just to keep me from working back and then forward. He's gonna drop off 3 of his razors tomorrow that he has done this to. So a response asap would be appreciated.