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

I'm new to all of this- honing, straight shaving etc, but after reading a lot on here and watching lots of youtube videos I thought I'd be able to handle everything.

I purchased a new dovos, Japanese King 1000/6000 waterstone and a Welsh finishing stone (seller rated it 12000+). I also purchased a paddle strop.

I initially got into this to save money, and now I'm over $350 bucks in the hole.

So I seemed to have a bit of trouble with the king, because it's narrower than my blade, also seemed to have trouble with keeping it even just using the weight of the blade, so I mostly did it with pressure which seemed to keep it even. Probably did 40 laps just on the 6000. I wasn't satisfied with shaving my arm hair test, so I did some circles on the 1000 grit then went back to the 6000 and did the best I could trying to do an x pattern, although I think the sharpening wasn't perfectly even. Then I finished on the Welsh which I think I did okay on because it's plently wide. Finally, did about 40 laps on each side of the leather paddle strop.

Ok, so I spent all my money on buying all this stuff, so I decided I'd buy a shave brush and soap later. So instead I just used cream from the can I had left. Lathered up my face like Santa, took out the dovos, and then tried shaving with the grain. Just about nothing. Against the grain wasn't much better, but after a few minutes with very slow moving I did manage to cut below the chin although it felt like the hairs were being pulled out more than cut. The moustache, which probably has my coarsest hairs, didn't really cut at all.

I'm in South Korea and my wife is pissed about all the money I've spent, so I need to try to work with what I have if it's possible. Any tips? Should I always be keeping the blade flush to the stone or should I hone at a bit of an angle? I did it flush but it didn't seem to sharpen up much.

Thanks for any tips you can give...

To be honest the only time I hone with a 6k stone is when I'm working my way up after I set the bevel. When I have a razor that I know has a good edge I just start at an 8k stone. As for keeping the blade flush, yes! Lay the blade flat on the stone, the spine is what sets the edge. Have you watch Lynn's video on honing? If not then that is the best place to start, the video will show you how to do it and techniques he uses.

As for the wife, well your on your own:-)

http://youtu.be/

It will take some time. I would suggest getting a shave ready razor from whipped dog. This way you have something to compare your edge to. It will come, but you have to expect a learning curve. Lots of videos to watch and the various tests arm hair, hht etc.

Thanks guys I had a feeling someone would mention an 8k stone, gonna have to live without it for awhile though.

Is shaving with goo in a can okay for the time being?

I see you linked me to honing with a norton- will that technique work with what I have? thanks.

Give yourself some time to learn honing. Practice on flea market razors, and don't shave with them until you have learned how to produce a good edge. It took me a month of afternoon practices to get it right. It comes, but it doens't come quickly. Like any skill, it takes some time to develop.

Thanks ace. Is going from a 6k to a finishing stone okay?

I would use the 12k stone as you finishing stone. It might take you a lot longer but I think it would be better then a 6k. Goo in a can is fine, just put it on lite so you can see your skins. to thick you might stab yourself. You can buy a cheap gold dollar razor to practice honing on, and if you kill it you won't feel guilty. There just recycled ford pintos we sent to china.

Originally Posted by Brettnj

I would use the 12k stone as you finishing stone. It might take you a lot longer but I think it would be better then a 6k. Goo in a can is fine, just put it on lite so you can see your skins. to thick you might stab yourself. You can buy a cheap gold dollar razor to practice honing on, and if you kill it you won't feel guilty. There just recycled ford pintos we sent to china.

Sorry, I meant just skip using an intermediate stone, so hone on a 6k and then skip an 8k and move to the finishing stone.

Looks like I need another knife, my wife won't be very happy.

Well, the stones you've already got are exactly the same setup I started with, and you should be able to get good edges with them. The jump in grit from 1k - 6k is large, so it means you'll have to spend longer on the 6k than if you had a 3 or 4k in between.

As well as Lynn's videos, gssixgun has done quite a lot, and they're very helpful too.