Thread: Newbie honing fail

Originally Posted by MTLian

Thanks for the offer. I think I'll hold on to the norton and try and practice when I have vacation time in June. I'll still exercise my futility and post a video, maybe there's something I'm obviously not doing right.

Rather than the shavette, I was thinking more of a vintage Gillette safety razor (if that's what they are called). I've seen that there are about billion different brands of blades so any pointers will help me get started with that.

Yea, get some practice! If you want to try safety razors or 'DEs' or Double edge razors you can still get an excellent shave and not have to fear the hone. I use a DE frequently. I would recommed a Gillette 'new' if you want to go vintage. If not Merker makes to real nice ones. SRD has a pretty complete selection of DEs and Blades. Check it out! Based i what i read before you saying- your not looking for a hobby and your not looking for extra work- you can still be a happy 'wetshaver' and get supioror shaves b y using a DE, no shave in that... Compared to the rest of society your still going ATG. :-p

Originally Posted by IamSt8ght

Sounds like you need to reset the bevel, then go through the honing pyramid. You can reset the bevel on the 4k side of your hone. You'll know you have a good bevel when you can shave the hairs or your arm with little effort. Good luck.

I believe the bevel was okay before I attempted the pyramid technique. It's hard to say because so many things are subjective such as "light pressure", gripping the callous of the thumb etc. What I've come to understand is that I'm quite a ways away from getting a very sharp edge; it'll require additional stones probably and perhaps months of trial and error and practice. Guess what, in the mean time, I still gotta shave! So while I practice, I gotta either use the Mach 3 or get an injector system.

I'll post a video of my attempt at honing. Thanks for .your suggestion

Sorry but I'm not sure what you mean by, SRD.

"SRD" is Straight Razor Designs, a sister company owned by this site's founder, Lynn Abrams. SRD sells all types of shaving equipment. Look for their ads on this site's homepage.
May I suggest you look in the Vendor's section here for honing services in Montreal? Another member has used a particular honemeister in Montreal with satisfactory results, but I can't remember that man's name.

Originally Posted by MTLian

Anyone you could recommend in eastern Canada?

Here is Maxi's ad in the classifieds - he's in Toronto.

Honing and Restoration in Canada - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

EDIT: added link - thanks for the heads-up MLA

Originally Posted by Cangooner

Here is Maxi's ad in the classifieds - he's in Toronto.

The link isn't showing, Cangooner.

Sorry to hear you're having such a frustrating time.

The good news is that a) we're here to help and b) it is well worth it once everything starts to come together. So hang in there and we'll get you going.

The advice to send it out for a professional honing is extremely good. There are a host of reasons for this among which are that you will know what a truly shave-ready blade feels like, and that you'll eliminate questions about the edge from figuring out any problems with your shaves. It won't cost much, and is worth every penny.

Now, I had a razor honed by someone in Montreal several years ago but I'm afraid I can't recall who it was. I posted a link earlier for Maxi in Toronto. I have not used his services personally but they come highly recommended from those who have.

I'm sure some of your fellow Montrealers here will chip in with more local suggestions if available.

EDIT: Canadian online sources for wet shaving gear include http://www.classicedge.ca/ and http://www.fendrihan.com/. If you opt for a DE (which is an excellent suggestion as well as it comes in handy when you don't have time for a straight shave and for travel) you might want to grab a sample pack of different blades. Some blades just work better for some faces, and the best way to find what works for you is just to try them out

Sounds like a bevel problem to me, a good bevel ,you should be able to shave hair on your arm easily, maybe try 1000 grit sand paper till you get to that stage, it can take a while. Then move to your other stones, and not before.

My friend I just learned to hone myself and here is my advice. 1 Tape your spine with smooth electrical tape. If you wear out the tape before you feel an edge coming you are using to much pressure. To much pressure will increase the bevel height without sharpening to much. Watch this video and remember if it is to far out it will take a lot of passes to bring it back.
How To Videos - Gem Star Customs

In the meantime do what you got to do to shave. Double edge razors ( safety razors ) are cheap and they give good shaves. How long have you been using a straight ?

And think laps. 1 lap is up 1 side and down the other. therefore doing both sides an even number. You may need 150 laps but you will get there.

Look for a gilette super speed there all over eBay most just need to be cleaned up then it's on to buy a sampler pack of de razor blades and see which one you like best.. There like around 15 to 20 bucks they are a great place to start in the de world.. I just started to learn honing today and its gonna b a long process.. Magpie was a great teacher!!!