Thread: Lessons learned

I have posted my frustrations with trying to hone my first straight razor here a few times and have always been greeted with positive words of support, but after 4 attempts to bring my designated "learn to hone" razor to shave readiness I had given up for a while. I admit that I then changed my focus to D.E. safety razors because it was easy to attain the perfect shave with very little maintenance.

But..... There was something missing. Something gnawing and scratching at my sense of pride. The do it yourselfer in me was ashamed at the defeat that I had accepted and the easy path of immediate gratification was now flavorless. Although I was in fact getting excellent shaves with a vintage Gillette New Standard and a Weber D.E., the quality was tainted by my feeling of inadequacy. I realized that It was time to get back on that horse and try again.

So I swallowed my pride and made a call to the Honemaster that originally honed this razor. Now I accept that opinions are like #$%*$@&$, but this is a guy that has in fact successfully honed a razor that I had failed with. The knowledge passed to me was priceless. He explained to me that this particular razor, a Mehaz International Solingen Germany was on the softer side of things. He had problems with this razor as well. In fact, he was unable to hone this razor with standard techniques. I was instructed to take a "Trailing Edge" approach on both the 4K and 8K. The theory was that the steel was too gummy to cut clean. That by trailing the edge and then removing the wire edge with approximately 15-20 strokes on linen every 40-50 passes on the Norton 4k, I would be drawing the edge out rather than deforming it with conventional "Leading Edge" passes.

He was right on all accounts. With this new found knowledge and a good machinist's loupe I was able to see the transformation of this razor and better understand the mechanics of what actually happens to steel when put to a hone. By forming and then gently removing the wire edge created by the 4K and then refining it on the 8k, I had finally figured out this razor. After 25 laps on linen and 100 on leather I had earned a very acceptable shave right of the good old Norton 4k/8K that everyone here has been telling me was possible.

So what was it that I had just learned? A hell of a lot!!

1) Never give up.
2) Choose a quality razor for your first attempt at honing.
3) Ask questions and keep an open mind. Sometimes we have to swallow our pride and admit that we just don't get it.
4) Every razor has it's own personality. As a result, technique must vary accordingly.

And this is just for starters. I accept that although I have now successfully honed 2 razors to shave ready status, I still have much to learn.

It has been a rough road for me, this straight razor addiction. Full of achievement and defeat. At the end of the day I am proud to be among those resurrecting this time honored art. I now feel as though I have earned a fine shave.