Thread: Looking for Honing Teacher

I am new to Straight Razor Shaving and Honing. I currently live in Houston. I was wondering if there was anybody close by that would be willing to teach me how to hone my razor as it is no longer giving me that comfortable great shave. Any and all help would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance

Hi JC,

I don't know if your join date is at all close to the date you started w/ the str8, but if it is, you might consider having your edges done for several more months. I say this, having tried to learn to hone and learn to shave right away. For me, it was quite a mistake. Sub-standard edges, harsh as heck. 'Not a very pleasant experience. For another perspective: http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...-try-hone.html
Also Glen's piece on honing - recommends 6 mo w/ pro quality edges before taking up the stones.

You might find it helpful to have at least a 2nd blade so you can keep shaving while one is out for honing. Should you wish some help w/ the edges, I'll gladly hone for nothing more than the cost of return postage.

In Tx, there is an inordinately high concentration of very skilled guys. 'Should be possible to connect w/ some through a thread like this.

Best of luck.

Originally Posted by Jcsaldiv

I am new to Straight Razor Shaving and Honing. I currently live in Houston. I was wondering if there was anybody close by that would be willing to teach me how to hone my razor as it is no longer giving me that comfortable great shave. Any and all help would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance

This is the shortest, most concise video and comes closest to what I do. He uses only a Norton 4k/8k.

Keep in mind that the razor used in the demonstration is flat out dull and a new bevel (edge) is being set. You may not need to hone your blade to the degree he has, but it's nice to know how.

My honing routine is a composite of various suggestions I have received, based on the needs of razors I have acquired second hand.

This is what I use:

• 1K waterstone if a bevel needs to be set (immerse in water 30 minutes before using)
• 4k waterstone (immerse in water 30 minutes before using)
• 8k waterstone (immerse in water 30 minutes before using
• 12k waterstone (the only one I use slurry on) (immerse in water 30 minutes before using)
• Balsa laptop strop loaded with Chromium Oxide 0.50 micron (bought from Star Shaving for about $14), use in the same direction as a strop, 25-35 laps
• Balsa Strop loaded with diamond slurry 0.25 micron (bought from Star Shaving for about $14), use in the same direction as a strop, 25-25 laps
• Strop on a leather strop, 80-100 laps

I started out with a 4k 8k, and 12k. There were some razors I just couldn't bring around, possibly due to my inexperience, and buried in the archives of this forum I'm sure are a few hissie fit posts I made in frustration. The 1K stone is more coarse so it was easier to start over again and set my bevel and get rid of chipping on the edge of the razor. That helped but a few razors were still uncomfortable to use. Then the guy at Star Shaving told me that added work on the two balsa strops and the leather strop would remove debris off the razor that was probably causing my irritation.

Gssixgun can probably get it right from start to finish with the 4k and 8k + a normal stropping prior to shaving but I'm going to admit with two years experience that it works well on some and not so well on others. I didn't achieve that level of confidence until a couple of months ago.

If this is too much to digest, just follow the video and get comfortable with the 4k and 8k first.

I think the 6 month trial is almost mandatory because most that want to get into the art drop out after a very short time.
I would bet on the order of at least 60% after just a few short weeks.
This site can overwhelm newbs with $800.00 Eshers and megabuck custom razors,stuff you do not need as a newb,High end brushes, soaps,scuttles, frags,Yada, yada, yada
You need to learn to walk before you can run,a $10.00 razor will shave as well as a $1000.00 razor if pro honed.
It takes years to learn how to hone razors,you cannot as a newb spend thousands on stones and magically create perfect edges,enough said,I just get pissed at times.

Good video, I like the cleaning up with the DMT when the Norton gets metal particles on it. Gonna try that.

At this point in time I have to say he hasn't shaved in quite a while!

I'm not sure what you call "close", but if you are prepared to pay travel to and from, I am willing to teach you how to hone in person!



James (from Australia - yes, the old jokes are the best jokes!)

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I'm not sure what you call "close", but if you are prepared to pay travel to and from, I am willing to teach you how to hone in person!



James (from Australia - yes, the old jokes are the best jokes!)

Me too, James - he may need a second opinion -

Do guys from "Down Under" hone with the spine leading?

Have patience my friend, there are quite a few guys around the Houston area & Dallas as well. I'm about 15 miles north of Paris, TX and would be glad to sit down and show you a few things. What stones do you have & how long have you been shaving? I personally don't push for 6 months, but do recommend getting about 30 shaves under your belt as this seems to be a magic number for the shaving routine to come together. Last time I made the drive, it's about 6 hours without too much construction from me casa' to Houston.

Originally Posted by ace

Do guys from "Down Under" hone with the spine leading?

Nah, you're thinking of the Kiwi's, and that is how they hone sheep...with the spine leading. LMAO.