Thread: Send blade away or try honing myself?

Originally Posted by acmilanfootball

I live in spokane, washington

You got an offer from GSSIXGUN, one of the "Obi Wan Kenobi's" of honing and straight razors, a chance to learn from a master, I'd be there faster than Bill Clinton on an intern.....

There is no feeling like honing a razor to shave ready the first time you do it. But ..... like the old Wide World Of Sports intro, there is "the thrill of victory OR the agony of defeat." I was extremely lucky in that when I got into this sport there was a honemeister 30 miles south of me who showed me the ropes. I picked up nuances of pressure and what not that I wouldn't have been able to get off of videos or tutorials.

So take Glen up on his kind offer if at all possible. Also, I picked up pro honed razors, new and vintage to shave with, along with ebay/antique store blades in excellent condition to practice on. I didn't fool with the pro honed razors, but used them to compare my efforts on the practice razors. That IME is a good way to approach this sport.

Ok guys. You convinced me. Going Friday to learn from the best.

15 min on the hone can be enough to bring the edge back to shave ready, or it could be entirely not enough, it all depends on the condition of the edge.
I'd send the razor out for honing, but then I'd get a second blade (something cheaper vintage in decent condition) to practice honing and used the pro-honed razor for reference.
If you want to learn how to hone yourself, if you have not already, start with the Wiki
Beginner's Guide to Honing - Straight Razor Place Library

Also see if you can find an experienced member close to you to show you how to hone.