Thread: How long did it take you to hit success?

Not trying to be funny or deep when I say this, but even after two + years I still haven't "mastered" it. I mean that's why I guess I call it my hobby lol.

I figure that's why there are pro's, gifted brothers, and then there is dudes like me lol. Good enough to get a decent edge when needed but not good enough to always get great edges .

Seriously, to this day I still blow a hone. Oh sure I am getting better but, I don't know all my blades well enough and quite frankly, all my blades seem to like a little of this or a little of that more so than others. The one thing I have begun to do though is always hone my Dovo with whatever else it is I am honing. It's my go-to. I know it the best and pull it out as needed... which you know, is often! After all - Swedish steel is a bugger to learn to hone LOL!

Remembering that during the str8 razor era most men didn't shave themselves, and either had beards or went to a barber(shave and a haircut-2 bits) I think we're all to be commended for at least trying!!

I could get just an "OK" shave from the 8k after about 2 or 3 months (same razor honed probably 10 times- purchased to practice honing). After about 6-8 months, they were a little more comfortable. After a year and probably 40+ attempts on some cheapie restores, I could get comfortable shaves. I learned that some razors just take an edge easier then others, also when people say no pressure, they mean absolutely no pressure. After realizing this my shaves got comfortable. I'm about a year and a half in and get good shaves, but they are not anywhere near what some of the pros can do. I've still got a lot to learn and I'm always experimenting with some of my less valuable razors that I purchased with the intent on practicing honing.

Practice is what did it for me. The more razors I tried and the different obstacles they can throw at you I think have improved my honing. However, I still have a long way to go.