Thread: Dumb question guy here

The good thing here is that you are willing to ask the question. Experience is very useful when coupled to an open mind. I thought I knew a few things about knives when Randy showed up in my shop one day. I did not know sharp like I should have. I got even for getting me hooked on this part of the craft by heat treating a blade that ate his stones. But he, and others here, are turn-to folks when it needs to be a sharp razor.

Keep one razor available, that's been honed by a professional. That's your yardstick of comparison as you approach your own honing. As has been said, and deserves repetition...you can shave arm hair, but what's your honed edge feel like on your face? The final test will always be your face.

I wouldn't say that knowing how to hone knifes or chisels is so much different from honing razors, nor that it counts for nothing.
Someone with enough experience knows what a bevel is, how stones feel and what stone progression is, probably knows how not to use too much or too little pressure, as there are knives and tools delicate enough to require less pressure, what overhoning is etc.
All those are very important for learning how to hone razors, and will save a lot of time.
What I wouldn't recommend is, razors with flaws, like some gold dollar razors with very thick shoulders that touch the stone before the blade does, or frowns, as breadknifing is somewhat rare for knives. Anything that shouldn't be there on a razor, you probably wouldn't be able to find it and know what to do.
The better the condition of the razor, the easier it will be.
And, on your first razors, be prepared to remove more metal than is necessary. That's something you learn from experience with razors only.

I have been finding it more and more difficult to find a razor without a flaw.

Originally Posted by Vasilis

I wouldn't say that knowing how to hone knifes or chisels is so much different from honing razors, nor that it counts for nothing.
Someone with enough experience knows what a bevel is, how stones feel and what stone progression is, probably knows how not to use too much or too little pressure, as there are knives and tools delicate enough to require less pressure, what overhoning is etc.
All those are very important for learning how to hone razors, and will save a lot of time.
What I wouldn't recommend is, razors with flaws, like some gold dollar razors with very thick shoulders that touch the stone before the blade does, or frowns, as breadknifing is somewhat rare for knives. Anything that shouldn't be there on a razor, you probably wouldn't be able to find it and know what to do.
The better the condition of the razor, the easier it will be.
And, on your first razors, be prepared to remove more metal than is necessary. That's something you learn from experience with razors only.

A good way to think about it is the difference is final use. A razor has to be extremely sharp… and comfortable.

You can beat a knife edge into submission and get a sharp edge, but you will never shave with it. How you get there is the difference. It is like the difference between commuting and driving a formula one car, they are both driving… “I can drive…”

Add the nuance of vintage razors or straight razors in general and you find that knife techniques will not work…very well.
The similarities are, they are both sharp, and that’s about it.

Then there is the knowledge glass is full, thing… and you need to empty it a bit, to refill with new knowledge. Some folks have a problem with that.

For me at least, smooth WTG and smooth ATG are a different story. I hardly ever have an edge I consider harsh coming straight off the stones and plain leather when shaving WTG. But ATG can be much harsher for me at least - especially on my neck - I have hair growing in all sorts of different directions, so it's hard to get a comfy shave there.

1th thing to do: Flatten your 1 K stone !! (this wasn't that important with knives, now it is!)

Originally Posted by Batsmurf

Just wondering if I should just use same technique just higher grit on stones? Thanks.

Short answer: NO

Originally Posted by Bram

1th thing to do: Flatten your 1 K stone !! (this wasn't that important with knives, now it is!)

Flattening the stone was something my grandfather(the great man that taught me) made me do a least once or twice a year he insisted it was important. Told me I should be able to shave with a knife when I am done sharpening and if he did not like the edge he would hit it against the porch and make me do it again. So I learned to make an edge very nice but have never done something actually meant to shave with. Thanks for the advice!

OP. No such thing as a dumb question, but you seem to be in a hotbed of members where you are. Look for guys who are knowledgeable near you. See some razor-honing up close and with words to get the start. Or, do it the hard way like I did. We all learn every day.
No substitute for learning from experienced guys. No reason to learn from the inexperienced! JMO

Originally Posted by Batsmurf

Flattening the stone was something my grandfather(the great man that taught me) made me do a least once or twice a year he insisted it was important. Told me I should be able to shave with a knife when I am done sharpening and if he did not like the edge he would hit it against the porch and make me do it again. So I learned to make an edge very nice but have never done something actually meant to shave with. Thanks for the advice!

That sounds like the way my grandfather taught me to hone.

Woodworking is also a hobby of mine and I am constantly honing all sorts of blades. What translated over from honing other blades was the feel and sound of the metal on the hone and knowing that "that feel" meant that it was time to move on to the next hone. The X pattern and rolling X kind of translated over, the angle is just different.