Caught my first trout!!! (or the story of how I finally got a shaving sharp edge)

[BBSWANNABE]

So yesterday, I decided to break out my hone collection and take the walk I've taken countless times with NO success.

Started first with a Carborundum hone simply marked "Fine" to set the bevel. Did 50 laps with two handed pressure and established a nice even bevel. I have no clue about the grit on this one, but it seemed like the grittier of the three hones I own. The razor was a MASTER BARBER made by a company out of Seattle Washington. It had never been sharpened, and it has "Berliners" inlayed on the handle.

Then I went for 100 trips on a Wojtec slate hone. Was popping hairs semi decently after this. I'm still skeptical, but decided to go next to the Arkansas

Finally ended up doing 100 laps on the Wojtec translucent arkansas. Last 20 strokes with exteremely light pressure. Now were getting somewhere. Popping arm hairs with ease, and the thumb pad test resulted in a seriously sticky edge.

I finished up with 20 strokes on Cromium Oxide pasted paddle, and then another 15 strokes on newsprint. Stropped 100 times on the old Illinois horsehide, and this girl was MURDERING hanging hairs all over the blade.

As for the shave..... BBS. I've tried umpteem billion times with thes hones to get a shave ready edge, but to no avail. So what was different about this time? MANY TRIPS. I guess with these natural stones, there is no replacement for repetition. I've shaved with sharper edges, but there was no irritation, and the aftershave test left me feeling only slightly scorched.

I'm just glad to report that the stones offered by Wojtec are just fine for getting a shaving sharp edge. I only wish I had a coticule for finishing. This I'm sure would produce a bit more comfortable shave.

But for now, I am STOKED to have finally "caught my first trout." If you're not honing yet, get yourself some cheap razors and some decent hones. Come on in... The Water's fine!

[izlat]

Nice!

I particularly enjoyed the "slightly scorched" part

Cheers
Ivo

[sebell]

Indeed! What happens if you _fail_ the aftershave test??

[JoshEarl]

Nicely done. Doesn't it feel good when everything starts to click?

Although I think the hook is set in you rather than a trout, my friend. Did everyone catch the "if I only had a coticule..." line?

BTW, you can get a small coticule from Howard for around $50. The small ones are about the same size as the Arkansas you're using--plenty big enough to get the job done.

Josh

[bgertz]

Indeed! What happens if you _fail_ the aftershave test??

Hahaha immediately into my mind came the radio announcer from the Hindenburg tragedy 'oh the humanity! ohhhh the horror!'

[xman]

Awesome! Give yourself a pat on the back!

X

[Gravitas]

Congratulations on your success. That's a great feeling of accomplishment.

[BBSWANNABE]

Well the honing God's have given me a bit of a big headed smackdown this evening. I tried the same sort of progression on a beautiful Joseph Rodgers this evening, and again, to no avail. Every razor is different I guess. Still, I cannot stand the taste of crow! MUST ACQUIRE MORE HONES.... TRYING TO FIGHT H.A.D.....