Thread: Honing didn't go too well

Hi,

I've bought a coticule hone and a Dovo Bismarck 6/8 SR. Today I tried to hone my SR, but that didn't go well. Right now it feels as if it pulls the haires from my face instead of cutting them. I can still get a ok shave (not better but also not worse than normal), but the shave is less confortable then before.

I'm a starter with SR, but I read that they didn't come Shave Ready from the factory, so I thought it would be a good idea to hone my SR. And how hard can that be ;-), apparently harder than I initially thought.

So I was hoping that someone around Amsterdam, Utrecht or Alkmaar would want to help me one time, and show / watch me hone my SR. Is there somebody willing to help me with that?

Nothing quite like jumping in the deep end! I hope there is someone local to pull you out...

Yeah well, I did lie a little bit when I said "how hard can it be". I didn't believe it was easy, and I already have a second (vintage, C.V. Heljestrand No 24) razor coming over to me. But ofcourse, I couldn't wait. Always learning the hard way. .

You could search this site and YouTube for honing vids while u wait for some personal help

Don't worry, I'll definitely be doing that. And I did that before already. SWMBO thinks I'm watching it too much. But she is working evenings this week, so I have lots of time for watching (and trying).

The one thing we all learn that when honing, there will always be challenges. There is not one perfect set of hones that works with all razors and grinds. I use Naniwa Superstones and love them. I need a lower grit hone next, I need it for problem razors with like chips or when honing wedges. It can be done on a 1K but just takes way longer. This is just my opinions on honing, so good luck and you maybe be able to find someone you can skype with and they can help watch you and give you some good ideas and tips for success. Stay with it.

Hi Metsie,

For others, this is familiar. I post about my failures - which in this case is very close to the path you describe. The experienced guys said - learn w/ pro-qualities edges. Learn the shave, then learn to hone. Being unburdened by knowledge, skill or humility, I learned to hone while I learned to shave. It had the predictable result - didn't go very well. I bled alot. That's why I'm called pinklather. I got 'shaveable' (not shave ready) results in a fairly short time, but edges were very harsh. Shaves were a challenge - not a pleasure.

The first razor w/ a pro edge I tried was on the upper end of sharpness. It demanded proper technique - which my poor quality edges had prevented me from learning. I still bled, but if careful, got a fine shave.

The next pro edge I tried was on the upper end of smoothness. The earth moved. It changed everything. This is where I found shaving joy. Shaves were now a pleasure I couldn't get enough of.

Meanwhile, I'm still learning to hone. 'Getting better, but not good yet. Rather than bore you further w/ autobiography, the things learned were - the guys who first said 'pro-quality' edges, and 'learn the shave first' - were *very* right. It might be that you're one of the rare people that just have natural talent at honing & shaving and will do fine on your own. Most of us had/have a moderately long learning curve to get both the shaving and the honing to a comfortable level. A sharp edge that's quite smooth - will get you comfortable with the shave. Even better - if there are members in your area - go spend a few hours getting tutored. Alot of members are quite happy to help.

You'll find the str8 delivers on the promises, but like anything that requires hand skills, it takes some time to develop the skills. The time it takes to acquire those skills is greatly reduced if you can connect w/ an experienced user.

I think you'll find it comes faster than expected, and that the shaves become closer, more comfortable and rather exhilarating. I wish you all the best in your learning.

My advice would be to put the hone and razor down and step away. Don't try to learn to hone by using a fine razor. Get something that you can feel comfortable making a lot of errors on without worry. Your Bismark does not sound like that kind of razor.

where did you get the coticule? it probably still has the sawing marks on the stone, you might want to get rid of that, getting those sawmark of the honing surface might be hard or easy depending on the type of coticule, if you have a few pocket knives laying around it might be an idea to hone those to break in your coticule. another option is to get a flat surface and some sanding paper to get the job done.

when the sawmarks are already out, try to progerssively reduce the pressure you use to the point where all the pressure you use is just to keep the razor flat on the coticule while honing. but you should get something cheaper then a Dovo Bismarck to learn to hone

I'm in Eindhoven by the way

Edit: forgot to mention that there is a benelux sub forum around here

Thanks you all for the great advices.

Originally Posted by pinklather

It might be that you're one of the rare people that just have natural talent at honing & shaving and will do fine on your own.

Definitely not, otherwise i would not be asking questions here

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

My advice would be to put the hone and razor down and step away. Don't try to learn to hone by using a fine razor. Get something that you can feel comfortable making a lot of errors on without worry. Your Bismark does not sound like that kind of razor.

I think your right. There is an 8 euro razor on it's way to me, I will practice a lot on that (hoping it will ever get sharp).

Originally Posted by Bram

where did you get the coticule? it probably still has the sawing marks on the stone, you might want to get rid of that

I got it from ardennes-coticule. I'll have a look at the sawing marks thing.

I knew there was a benelux subforum. I just didn't think about it when I started the thread.