Thread: First shave after honing- didn't go very well

You should be able to shave straight off the 1k if you are getting a good bevel. It may not be the most comfortable shave, but you can shave off it. Any other stone with higher grit will refine and polish the edge for a much more comfortable shave.

You should also make sure your stones are flat and the razor doesn't rock on the stone. You can use any number of devices to flatten your stone. I prefer a certified flat granite plate which are about $50 on eBay, then put sandpaper on it. Or you can opt for a diamond lapping plate or even Norton makes a good lapping stone for about $27.

Thanks gotdzel, that's helpful info to know then. I do have a lapping stone so I guess I'm good to go. What are some common mistakes beggining honers make?

I am in the same boat as you. I have tried and tried for a month already to get honing down pat, and nothing seems to work. My advice is to get your shaving down pat first then get yourself a mentor, someone who can show you what youre doing right and what you're doing wrong. I just got one and I'm meeting him on Sunday. Keep studying the forum in the meantime. I know I should practice what I preach but this is the best advice I can give you! I too thought that it was going to be a cheap way out but its not- not at first anyway. As far as the wife goes you're just going to have to start hiding stuff from her like I do! Lol

Sounds like a good idea. Short on mentors in s. korea though, most Koreans don't grow much of a beard, and those that do prefer things as modern as possible.

Originally Posted by Gotdzel

You should be able to shave straight off the 1k if you are getting a good bevel. It may not be the most comfortable shave, but you can shave off it. Any other stone with higher grit will refine and polish the edge for a much more comfortable shave.

You should also make sure your stones are flat and the razor doesn't rock on the stone. You can use any number of devices to flatten your stone. I prefer a certified flat granite plate which are about $50 on eBay, then put sandpaper on it. Or you can opt for a diamond lapping plate or even Norton makes a good lapping stone for about $27.

or he could use 180 grit wet/dry sand paper on a piece of plate glass and save himself a lot of money. Use the 6k until you can take the hair off your arm, don't worry about a hanging hair test. When you can take hair off your arm then go to the other stone, you will be there for some time but it will polish it.

Originally Posted by kingplaya4

Sounds like a good idea. Short on mentors in s. korea though, most Koreans don't grow much of a beard, and those that do prefer things as modern as possible.

True, but at least you can buy a shave ready razor from our classifides here and have something to compare it to. Btw, welcome to SRP!

Try this Wiki for some tips and tricks to honing. Tons of good info here:

Category:Straight Razor Maintenance - Honing & Stropping - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Light pressure with more strokes on the stone seems to perform better and be more forgiving than say firm pressure and fewer strokes. Also there is a forum thread on here somewhere (can't find it at the moment) that is about using the 1k stone to shave off of for beginners. Once you can do that, it's all about riding the gravy train to a polished edge!

Originally Posted by Brettnj

or he could use 180 grit wet/dry sand paper on a piece of plate glass and save himself a lot of money. Use the 6k until you can take the hair off your arm, don't worry about a hanging hair test. When you can take hair off your arm then go to the other stone, you will be there for some time but it will polish it.

This is also very true!!

Thanks for the welcome. You guys are awesome, never had such fast answers to a thread before. Thanks everyone!

Originally Posted by Gotdzel

Also there is a forum thread on here somewhere (can't find it at the moment) that is about using the 1k stone to shave off of for beginners.

Here: Beginners 1k shave