Thread: Anyone know ?

Hello, I live in Pittsburgh and need a couple razors honed. I have some stones from my wife’s grandfather that was a barber back in the 40’s. I have no idea how to hone. Sharpen a knife ... yes... razor no. Does anyone know if a place near Pittsburgh I can go or any recommendations on how to get started? Thanks!

Originally Posted by Brewdaddy

Hello, I live in Pittsburgh and need a couple razors honed. I have some stones from my wife’s grandfather that was a barber back in the 40’s. I have no idea how to hone. Sharpen a knife ... yes... razor no. Does anyone know if a place near Pittsburgh I can go or any recommendations on how to get started? Thanks!

I started shaving with a straight this last August. When I started this endeavor, I knew I wanted to encompass the whole experience of it. I started with a shave ready razor, so my honing needs were to be able to touch up my razor when needed. I have only one coticule, and it has served me well with being able to keep my razors (I picked up a new Brian Brown) shaving well. I don't know what type of stones you have, but if they came from an old school barber, then no doubt you'll be in good shape at this point and time, although you might need to lap them. I read the info on the forums, and watched lots of honing videos on youtube, and had a good idea of what to do before I attempted to hone, and it worked like a champ. With the support you will get here, you can do it.

Originally Posted by skimonster

I started shaving with a straight this last August. When I started this endeavor, I knew I wanted to encompass the whole experience of it. I started with a shave ready razor, so my honing needs were to be able to touch up my razor when needed. I have only one coticule, and it has served me well with being able to keep my razors (I picked up a new Brian Brown) shaving well. I don't know what type of stones you have, but if they came from an old school barber, then no doubt you'll be in good shape at this point and time, although you might need to lap them. I read the info on the forums, and watched lots of honing videos on youtube, and had a good idea of what to do before I attempted to hone, and it worked like a champ. With the support you will get here, you can do it.

Thanks! Between 2 straight razors and a safety razors I’ve made it 2 years with out honoring. It’s getting to be a little pulling on the hair now. Appreciate the reply!

There are quite a few guys that hone all over the place. USPS is pretty quick. If you find that it is not coming easy, send it out. There is no need for bad shaves. I would pm Gssixgun or Modine if you need one hone well. As for learning to hone or even just touch up keep a look out for a meet that you are willing to travel to.

It takes some practice to learn to hone, but it worth the effort so you don't have to send out your razors! The advice above about watching videos is correct, I watched a ton of them while learning. In the mean time, if your razor is tugging then send it to one of our folks here and they will get you fixed up.

Thanks guys. I just hate to try on the money I spent on the nice steel!

If you tape the spine and gently go through the process it is unlikely you will harm the razor. Razors get messed up when people aggressively try to hone without using tape to protect the spine. If you are just touching up a blade it won’t take too much to decide if you need to send it out or not. The bevel is already established, it just need a repolishing. Is it doesn’t work send it out and try again next time. Get to a meet if you can.

Send them out, as been said. The mailbox is close and it will only take a week or two to get them back and with a perfect edge. Id send them to a member of this forum if you want them done right. Now if you want to learn to hone, pick up a junk razor and watch vids to get an idea on how its done. The trick is to watch goos vids. There are a lot of guys that think they know how to hone and love to make vids. But they really dont know. Watch vids from gssixgun and lynn as they are masters at this. Touching up an edge is not too hard as long as you have a finishing hone. Use tape as Rez said, use the sharpie on the edge and do one or two laps to see if you got the angle right first. There is a lot of info here on srp on doing this and it will help you to know your doing things right so... in short, id say touch one up yourself and send one out for a pro to do. This way you will have one to compare to the other to know if your in the ballpark.

I agree with the advice already given here. I'm curious to see some pictures of the stones

DavidW is in Pittsburg.not sure if he is a member still. But he knows how to hone and is a woodworker.