Thread: Little confused here

Hey Guys,

I'm fairly new to the are of straight edge shaving so take it easy on me haha. I've been using a straight edge since May of 2010 and each time it's a different experience. I have a brush/bowl/strop (leather/linen) everything I basically need.

Anyways, my first razor was a basic Timor Blue Steel (6/8"). Worked fairly well. I just recently (as a grad present from college) got a ' Dovo 5/8' with the gold plating. Now this blade was pre-honed from the company I bought it from (fendrihan.com). They have a guy who works for the company that has been honing for years and he honed this blade before it was sent to me. I have to say that the first shave with this blade was simply amazing. I noticed a BIG different in this blade from my basic Timor.

Now herein lies the question: I believe that my old Timor blade needs to be honed. I tried shaving with it again this past week and it doesn't even come close to the Dovo. Also, I should add that since I have had the Timor blade, I haven't honed it. I've been searching through this site finding articles on how to hone properly and the techniques used, all of which are very helpful. So what honing stone do I need? I order all my stuff from fendrihan.com (Canadian based company, easier shipping for me). They have too many hones to choose from. All different grit, 10K, 8K and so on.

So which hone would you guys recommend for me as a beginner to honing for the first time? Something that gets the job done right the first time!

Welcome to SRP. I would recommend the Norton 4/8 combination stone myself. OTOH, in Canada SRP member Floppy Shoes hones razors for a nominal fee. You can find his ad in the SRP classifieds under member services.

4/8k is the best beginner stone

and the c-12 is a good finisher too but you could finish on the 8k the c-12 is a cheap option to finishing

Norton 4/8K is the first one I can think of too. If you need help you can always PM me with questions.

Holy! Thanks for all the input. I think I'm going to go with the 4/8k stone. I shaved again last night with my old blade, just doesn't feel right. Definitely needs sharpening. Thanks guys!

Also, one more question, even though this isn't the right sub-forum to post it in. I was searching around and seen some instructions on here how to make super lather. I seen some people using two different kinds of soaps, one looked like hardened soap in a bowl and then they added some glycerin with some other shaving cream.

All I do when I shave is let my brush soak in hot water, whisk it out, add an almond size drop of shaving cream and a touch of water and start mixing. So why add the glycerin and the other soapy water?

It's detailed in this link: http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...C3%9Cberlather

Try a barbers hone to get the Timor in shape. If it is not truly dulled it can probably be brought up to snuff with the barbers hone.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Try a barbers hone to get the Timor in shape. If it is not truly dulled it can probably be brought up to snuff with the barbers hone.

That too!

Since you order all your shaving gear from the one vendor, you must have confidence in him. Why not ask his opinion too?

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Since you order all your shaving gear from the one vendor, you must have confidence in him. Why not ask his opinion too?

I do have confidence in them. But at times they can take days to reply. Plus I'd rather have more than one opinion on the subject. It's nice to know which roads are open for me.