Thread: First time i hone my razor.

Hi,

Many says: "almost everything has a first time to do/happens in our lifes". (it's one popular saying in my country)

After i readed a thread from Lynn (http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...rt-honing.html) i felt little bit of courrage to try to hone my razor for the first time. (it was very dull)

Today i took the challenge.

After a lot of thinking on what should i do, i decided to do this system:

One combo stone 3000/8000
One stone 12000
Strop Mountain Mike.

5 passes on 3000.
10 passes on 8000.
15 passes on 12000.

30 passes on linen side.
50 passes on leather side.

I hade to make this system two times to get the razor to start to shave again. It took hairs from my arm and from my belly. I try to shave and on my cheeks was ok but on my neck no. It's not 100% shave ready yet, but i've lost the fear to make mistakes on my first honing attempt.

I'll keep going on this trip now!!!

Thanks Lynn!!!

See you all... Flávio.

The low grit laps were likely not enough. You can hone in predetermined steps and lap counts like pyramid honing AFTER the bevel is set. The bevel set is only determined when its set! 10 laps 100 laps etc. As many as it takes and most of the sharpness you will get in that step.

Originally Posted by bill3152

The low grit laps were likely not enough. You can hone in predetermined steps and lap counts like pyramid honing AFTER the bevel is set. The bevel set is only determined when its set! 10 laps 100 laps etc. As many as it takes and most of the sharpness you will get in that step.

Thanks... I'll keep on trying.

Yea, once you get your feet wet it is not so bad. I was thinking though that I usually stay on the 3000 till the blade will shave arm hair all along the edge and then go up from there. That usually means I do more strokes on the 3000, less on the 8000 and even less on the 12000. The reverse of your method. The major work of forming the bevel/edge is done on the lower grit and refined on the higher grits and requires fewer strokes. Have fun and enjoy.

Bob

Slow as usual in replying, I see Bill already has made the point.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Yea, once you get your feet wet it is not so bad. I was thinking though that I usually stay on the 3000 till the blade will shave arm hair all along the edge and then go up from there. That usually means I do more strokes on the 3000, less on the 8000 and even less on the 12000. The reverse of your method. The major work of forming the bevel/edge is done on the lower grit and refined on the higher grits and requires fewer strokes. Have fun and enjoy.

Bob

Slow as usual in replying, I see Bill already has made the point.

Bob

Thank you to Bob.
I'll follow both advices.

Originally Posted by bill3152

The low grit laps were likely not enough. You can hone in predetermined steps and lap counts like pyramid honing AFTER the bevel is set. The bevel set is only determined when its set! 10 laps 100 laps etc. As many as it takes and most of the sharpness you will get in that step.

Flavio,

+1 on this. Also be cautious of your 12k stone. It cuts very fast and can destroy an edge very quickly. In most cases your 15 passes on it is pushing it to the limit. Try to stop at ten. While there is no predetermined number of strokes that will hone an edge, I've found that there is a number that will ruin one when it comes to the 12k. Best of luck to you.

Glad to hear your honing your own razors, Flavio

,,,,,,,,,,,just stay away from those "belly hairs" with your straight; that's like trying to run a weed-eater through cattails,,,

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Glad to hear your honing your own razors, Flavio

,,,,,,,,,,,just stay away from those "belly hairs" with your straight; that's like trying to run a weed-eater through cattails,,,

OK... Understood.

I find I need to stay at the bevel setting stage until the razor feels sticky on the hone. It's no longer gliding back and forth, but it's like the hone is sucking the blade down. From there the rest of the progression gets kinda boring.

(sorry for the rest of you guys, but it's rare to see a brazilian in the forum, so I'll speak to him in our mother language)
Opa, um brasileiro no forum, como está indo o processo de afiação? Eu concordo com o que os outros membros falaram, como o "bevel" da minha navalha já está estabelecido, eu só mantenho o fio em uma norton 8k e uma naniwa 12k, mas se eu tivesse que fazer a progressão em uma navalha que esteja com o fio cego eu trabalharia mais nas granas mais baixas. Flávio, tu tem acesso ao oxido de cromo? É um bom jeito de dar o polimento final no fio, não afia necessariamente mas deixa o barbear bem mais confortável. Qualquer coisa se precisar de ajuda me adiciona no facebook (caso use) Guilherme Dalla Porta. Ou me mande um email (guidallaporta@hotmail.com).
Abraço e boa sorte!