-
What an IDIOT!
I have been shaving with a straight for years, but I always sent my razors out for periodic honing. After lurking around on this site for over a year, I finally decided to try my hand at honing my own razors. I purchased a Norton 4000/8000 and a DMT WW8FC. I used the DMT to lap the Norton and it took awhile to get it flat even though it was new. I spent a lot of time reading the thread: Lapping 101 and found it extremely useful. I also watched Lynn's videos on how to properly hone a razor over and over the last few months and felt it was finally time to give it a try.
So this morning I broke out one of my standby razors, a Dove 5/8 full hollow and decided to take the plunge. Very slowly and paying particular attention to keep a light hand and concentrate on my technique; I began the process. I could feel the stone slowly cutting on the 4000K side and could feel the feedback from the razor and the hone. I don't know exactly how many laps I took, I just kind of knew when it was done. I inspected the edge with a magnifying glass and saw a nice, clean, even line on both sides shining at me. I then switched to the 8000K side and repeated the process on that side. Again I honed until the feedback from the razor let me know it was done. I then stropped it with .5 micron crox and finished on my latigo strop.
Now the final test and only important one; I whipped up some lather and shaved with it and that inexpensive little Dovo I was never too fond of was buttery smooth as it wiped away my 3 day growth like a squeegee on wet a window. That's when it hit me what an absolute idiot I have been throwing away my money on honing services and postage to have somebody else hone my razors! Not only that, I was also mad at myself for missing out on what a satisfying experience honing a razor can be. All this time I have been paying another guy to have that much fun!
Well fellas, I can say here and now with confidence that will never happen again! From here on out I hone my own and finally can stop feeling guilty about not acquiring this useful skill. I do know that I have a long way to go and my technique will gradually improve but I owe it all to you guys here at SRP for all of the great advice and wonderful information that is so bountiful around here. Because of this site I was able to attain a very high quality edge on a troublesome razor the first time out! Psssst.............don't tell my former honemeister!:nono:
Thanks SRP and all of its members for completely indoctrinating one more guy into the brotherhood of straight razor shavers.
Gregg
-
So instead of having Rad you are now going to get HAD!!!Yeah nothing like relaxing and putting a sweet edge on. Congrats to you:)
-
Congrats on your new skill.Doesnt it make your shaving experience a better one when you do it HONE GROWN? Happy Shaving!!!:) Oh yeah your not an idiot,your just evolving!
-
Congrats. Good feeling to shave with razors you honed yourself. :tu
-
Not an idiot.
Perhaps a little slow to the hone game.
You have an advantage. You know what
a sharp blade is and you had time to digest
hints and stories on honing. Also maintaining
a well honed blade is very different than honing
a blade with a bad or no bevel.
You also have a couple of razors. If you work
on cars you have to have a second to go and
get parts. Same with razors, if the razor you worked
on Saturday is not up to par... there is still a good shaver
or two in the shave den.
From my desk you may have been smarter than the average bear.
-
I bought a 1000/4000 japanese whetstone and now just purchased a old japanese finishing whetstone at what I believe was a good price. I sharpen knives for a local butcher shop and some of their clients and thought shaving hair on your arm was sharp, yet yes it is sharp but not like a razor not even close. I have a 1000 dollar tormek with all the bells and whistles and I would never hone to anything even close to these whet stones. kellyw
-
Congrats and welcome in HAD. Just wonder what will be your first natural hone.:)
-
Well done! If you're happy with the results now, you wait. You'll see milestone moment time & time again!
-
Never to late to learn how to do it yourself :)
-
Nice job, glad you got a good result! Honings a lot of fun, and its really great to start playing around with all the different naturals as well..!
Feel the HAD! :mace: