Thread: My First Self-Honed Razor

Well, I finally gave up practising on the GDs and decided to try honing my freshly arrived I.Barber Anchor razor.

I used Lynn's 4/8k circle method and had to set the bevel. I did not use tape, am thinking I may do so next time. The razor has no hone wear, and for all my looking at the edge in the loupe, has never been honed.

On a soft metal GD, this was a piece of cake, went exactly like Lynn demonstrates in his video. Then 8k, then 12k, then onto my Escher.

With this old Sheffield steel, it was quite a struggle to get the bevel set - the steel was very hard. I'm pretty certain the geometry was a bit off, having to focus separately on both the toe and the heel. It took me 4 attempts with pressure, on the 4k to get a very thin bevel. I'm sure I could do better on both the heel and the toe. There is also one minor microscopic chip at the toe that the 4k didn't do much against.

What I found interesting was that I knew I had "got something" when suddenly the blade starting "sticking" to the stone, I remembered that was a good sign, so after I completed the circles with pressure, I backed off and completed the light circles then X strokes on the 4k then went up the ladder to complete the sequence.

So, I have ordered a Naniwa 1k, am I right in thinking that it's a lot of work to set a bevel on a 4k or is it just my inexperience, and after having read about the DMT 325 plate (which I have), don't think I'm going to bevel set on that har har.(even though there is an interesting old thread on doing exactly that!)

Anyhow, just had a shave with it, and it was great, can't believe I did it. But the one thing that has definitely hit home for me is all the work really does happen at the bevel setting stage, and am wondering if I should redo the bevel when the 1k gets here?

SRP is truly a great resource, Glen, watched a few of your video's on finishing, very helpful, it's hard to believe so few strokes on the finishers are required (Shapton 30k)! And Lynn's circle method seemed to be easy enough for a beginner like me to get something "shave ready".

Gotta admit it, never thought I'd get here, that honing your own blade really does feel great and hugely worthwhile taking your time and learning - thanks SRP!

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

I.Barber Anchor Razor.