Thread: My First Self-Honed Razor

Well done Phrank! And nothing like starting at the top - Go Big or Go Home...

I'm still struck giddy some times when it all comes together - if you want to hone your own it can be very rewarding (and frustrating) - "walk away" is an important pointer.

Originally Posted by pcm

I don't think I want to hone either of those, and it'll be a while before they need honing anyway, I suspect. Not sure if I should get a blade off eBay, or seek one from classifieds that is not shave ready.

Any suggestions folks?

The best advice - I think it was Glenn/Gssixgun - was to learn how to maintain a known shaver. When you start with an Ebay razor you may be "restoring" and that is a differnt skill set from "honing"

So if you have a 4/8 and something to lap it with (DMT is great because you can use it on non-razor things - clean up the Mother In Laws kitchen knives and you will be Golden) you can use that 8K like a Barbers Hone.

Once the HAD kicked in and I had a 12k Nan, that became my "Barbers Hone" and for most of my razors that is what I use.

I tried the 4/8/12 Zowada method on three razors and the results left me doing the Razor dance of Joy...

Keep some kind of notes...
A 30x loupe with light is your friend...
And I still have a few set aside to send to a Pro...
Like shaving - it's a fine motor skill that gets better.
Keep your elbow up...

This all sounds great Phrank. I got the undocumented Norton 1k :<0) I haven't had any problems with mine but I hear others have. I wouldn't use a DMT to set a bevel. Works fast but leaves deep nasty scratches. More time on the 4k then. Just like the shave , go slow and pay attention. You'll master this.

Oh and when it comes to tape on Sheffields ....More tape = smaller bevel. Big fat blades you know. I start with 3 layers and drop one on final bevel set. Most of yours will need 8 layers

Originally Posted by 10Pups

This all sounds great Phrank. I got the undocumented Norton 1k :<0) I haven't had any problems with mine but I hear others have. I wouldn't use a DMT to set a bevel. Works fast but leaves deep nasty scratches. More time on the 4k then. Just like the shave , go slow and pay attention. You'll master this.

Oh and when it comes to tape on Sheffields ....More tape = smaller bevel. Big fat blades you know. I start with 3 layers and drop one on final bevel set. Most of yours will need 8 layers

Now that was funny!

You start with 3 layers and drop to one layer setting the bevel? Could you explain...Gold Dollars are fun to practice on, but I have no intention of collecting them, nor shaving with them....so I need to learn to try and make friends with this Sheffield....

Well done Phrank, it is a great feeling to shave off your own edge.

Originally Posted by MJC

Well done Phrank! And nothing like starting at the top - Go Big or Go Home...

I'm still struck giddy some times when it all comes together - if you want to hone your own it can be very rewarding (and frustrating) - "walk away" is an important pointer.



The best advice - I think it was Glenn/Gssixgun - was to learn how to maintain a known shaver. When you start with an Ebay razor you may be "restoring" and that is a differnt skill set from "honing"

So if you have a 4/8 and something to lap it with (DMT is great because you can use it on non-razor things - clean up the Mother In Laws kitchen knives and you will be Golden) you can use that 8K like a Barbers Hone.

Once the HAD kicked in and I had a 12k Nan, that became my "Barbers Hone" and for most of my razors that is what I use.

I tried the 4/8/12 Zowada method on three razors and the results left me doing the Razor dance of Joy...

Keep some kind of notes...
A 30x loupe with light is your friend...
And I still have a few set aside to send to a Pro...
Like shaving - it's a fine motor skill that gets better.
Keep your elbow up...

So practice on the honing with kitchen knives/others and then use the 8K to keep the edge on the two shave-ready razors I have (when they get dullish)?

Sounds like an interesting strategy. The Gold Dollar razor sounds interesting too.

I've got an order in for a lighted loupe.

Congrats on your success Phrank ! Before long we will be seeing pics of your new belt grinders,forge equip,tamahagane furnace and....

Originally Posted by pcm

So practice on the honing with kitchen knives/others and then use the 8K to keep the edge on the two shave-ready razors I have (when they get dullish)?

Sounds like an interesting strategy. The Gold Dollar razor sounds interesting too.

I've got an order in for a lighted loupe.

To clarify - when looking for something to lap with, the advantage (for me) for the DMT (in lieu of say the Norton laping stone) is that you can use it for other things - like kitchen knives. Sharpening knives and honing razors are for the most part separate skill sets.

For a practice razor I'd suggest also looking for a "Hardware Distributor/Barber Supply" razor in excellent shape. These are mostly made in Germany, high quality, "no-name" shavers. Avoid anything with chips, un-even or excessive hone wear etc. (the Wiki has great notes on what to avoid) With patience you can find these in the $20 range, you will get a dud from time to time to help re-focus your search skills..

It helps to think about what you want to do - Maintain, Hone or Restore.
And the reference material and videos from Lynn and Glen and others are amazing, take advantage of them.

Well Phrank sometimes those old wedges are pretty thick down by the bevel. (matches the hone wear) If you hone them without tape your bevel can be very wide. If you don't know how wide it will turn out or if you want it smaller you can add layers of tape. I did one yesterday and started with 4 layers. I wouldn't go anymore than 5 and that would be a lot of hone wear. In fact never been to five it's just what I hear. You start setting the bevel and if you see the bevel is way too small then pull off 1 layer of tape and continue. On Sheffield wedges it isn't uncommon to use 2 or 3 layers for the final bevel. Of course you continue through your progression with the same amount of layers and have to remember this when you do touch ups on that particular razor again. Besides keeping the bevel small it reduces the time it takes to hone. Less metal to hone down. My other comment didn't come out clear....I usually start with 3 layers and see what I got. I usually end up at 2 layers. Rarely do I hone an old wedge with only 1 layer of tape. I like small bevels and I always use at least 1 layer on any razor. I change the tape often also. The other good thing about tape is if your using to much pressure you will see the tape wearing down too quick. I use Scotch/3M 700 because it is hard and shiny. Just the way I learned how to do it and it works for me :<0)

@10Pups - the I.Barber Anchor is a hollow ground blade, I never would have even tried an old Sheffield wedge, but from what I've been reading I'll want to tape anyway.

Off to Canadian Tire, on the advice of MikeB52 have to get some 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper to get the gunk off the edge of the blade and hopefully get it shinier than a diamond in a goats azzzz....

Bless the Gods of Winter and the The Classic Edge here in Ontario, my Nani 1k arrived today two days after I ordered it! They've always been uber fast in shipping things out, and I received a nice little sample tub of Proraso Green pre-shave as well!

Hopefully this thread will continue with phase 2 "Phrank Makes a Better Bevel", and not end up as a thread of tears.....

@Phrank said:

...Here's a pic of my first shave with a razor I honed myself!

MMoo said, "Slacker. 'S'bout time."