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:

Welcome to the next stage in your straight razor journey. Sounds like you started off on the right foot and I'm sure you will enjoy the stages in honing that follow.

I did the same thing.

At first I was leery to hone myself because I was afraid I would screw it up so I paid for it. I then found all the info I needed on this site and even found someone here in my area to show me how he does it in person.

I think I've reached minimum competency. It's definitely a skill to have the right touch but its really satisfying when you get it right. Also it adds a new dimension to full restores if you do that.

I touched up a TI and a Dovo this past weekend and got a GREAT shave this morning from the TI. I'll use the Dovo next.

Good for you and welcome to HAD. :-)