Thread: Got a Norton 4/8k but wtf is lapping?

Originally Posted by adamf85

@dustoff003 I am in Buffalo, NY.

Thank you sir. I am originally from Poughkeepsie, my father went to Barber School in Buffalo. I am sure there is someone in your area to help you out. You can search the member directory by location.

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(Duplicate sorry)

It all really not that bad. If you need a break after reading all this a great video to watch on technique is: Sweeney Todd !
Just keep telling yourself that everyone in the 1800's shaved this way. How hard can it be? None of them even knew how to drive a car!!

Originally Posted by jpcwon

...I can understand the OP's frustrations; I too was frustrated when I found out that my Norton had to be lapped. It's like "Dang!! I have to buy ANOTHER thing to start honing?!?"...

And THEN some smartarse tells you you've gotta lap the thing you're using to lap the hone!!!
Is there no END to this madness!!!

It take a couple of months to get the hang of all this, in my opinion, then it starts to gel. NORMALLY the library section is where you'd start, but I liked human interaction better anyway so just posted a lot of questions like the OP.

I may have missed it if it was aid, but OP, where are you? You may have someone nearby who's willing to show you how to hone, strop, etc. I learnt all that from the videos and threads, but it would have been really cool to meet up with someone. You know, a year after starting this journey I've never actually seen anyone esle strop, hone or shave with a straight in 'real life'...

Originally Posted by adamf85

Ok this new hobby of mine is more becoming a hassle.. The straight razor I bought a couple weeks ago can't give me a close shave at all. My Mach 3 is out performing it bar none.. SO I am figuring that the blade might not be sharp enough.. I bought it at a local mall ended up spending over $500 for a Dovo razor and silver tip brush and the whole 9..

Well anyways - I bought a Norton 4/8k online and should be here today, but now I am reading I have to BUY ANOTHER thing to lap it? wtf? really?

I also saw some people that said I can just use sand paper, if that is the case.. what kind of sand paper should I buy as far as grit?

sorry for the rant, but this is becoming more of a hassle then enjoyable in which I was really looking forward to.

PS. Please fix your library section.

You are a prime example why I could never be or be made, a Moderator on this forum. I have no patience for the garbage post, you opened with.

Straight shaving is not for everyone, friend.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I may have missed it if it was aid, but OP, where are you?

He is in Buffalo, NY

Adam, the single most important tool any craftsman or do-it-yourselfer can possess is patience.

Welcome to SRP Adam. As for someone local to show you the ropes, you may or may not be out of luck, it just depends on your thoughts on a road trip. I suggest you PM Dylan aka "holli4pirating" his location states he lives in Rochester, NY., so he may be able to meet up with you to give you some help. I have a razor honed by him and it shaves like a dream. If that's not an option, then send it out to a member who offers honing services, they can be found in the "Classifieds" here under "Member Services" at least this way you'll have a reference point to start with as you learn to hone. Hope this helps and keep us posted.

Originally Posted by adamf85

I also want to throw out there that I am a senior web developer / computer programmer. I run a small web dev firm where I mostly white label my services. So if you admins/mods need help trying to figure out what's wrong with the library send me a PM and I am willing to help you guys out for free, I see this is a LAMP environment which is my expertise.

That's fantastic, however the hardworking admins,developers,mods, and others that make this forum possible might not see your offer if they don't read this thread, so if you're are willing to help fix issues that need fixing or issues that arise, you may want to either post an offer to help in the "Site Help, Comments, & Suggestions" forum or send a few PM's to those in the know.

Brother, you have entered the rabbit hole, it is so narrow that you cannot turn around and go back out the way you came. It's not a scratch ticket. This site is fun maze.
Ok, so let's say some generous skilled member makes your razor 'shave ready.' Know that only the razor will be shave ready. There is a mysterious confluence of other facts that must occur for you to enter the kingdom of shave heaven. Hope you stay calm and carry on.