First Hone (Barber Hone) for a Newbie

[Thirdman47]

Well, today I did my first hone of the razor I bought back in January. I've been shaving with the straight (Dovo 5/8) from Lynn's SRD every day, and in the beginning had a few cuts. Now, I rarely have cuts or nicks & shaves have been great.

I figured it was time for a tune up of the edge. I'd picked up a barber hone on the bay for $41, not too bad a price, new old stock. The thing was unused, and the brand name - get this - is Swastika. (Well, the description on the bay said it was ca. 1910's so it was made when that was still a good luck/long life symbol before AH changed it forever.) Here are a few pictures:



The surface is very smooth, almost shiny:



I was unsure about this because I'd read so many difficulties with honing. I figured I still had the coupon for a free honing with Lynn that came with the kit from SRD, so if I really messed it up I could recover without too much damage. But I tuned in to some videos on You Tube (thanks gssixgun). I lathered the hone with the brush and gave it about 5 strokes in each direction, just enough pressure to keep it in touch with the hone. Then I shaved with it. Wow! Just like the day I got it.

I think I might do this once a month.