A friend sent me a razor to practice honing with. I have a set of Naniwa Super Stones, 1000, 5000, 8000 and 12000.
Started with the 1000 and was having some problems setting the bevel so took a break and came back the next day and within about ten minutes the bevel felt pretty good. Took another break to get some cherry tomatoes and from what I good tell, with limited my knowledge, it passed the cherry tomatoe test and so I progressed through the stones finishing on the 12000.
Shave tested it the next day and it was pretty good but not great. Went back and did some more work with the 8000 and the 12000 and then twenty laps on fabric and about a hundred laps on the leather.
Took out my Aust and this practice razor to shave with today. After one cheek with the practice razor, I put the Aust away and continued with my practice razor. It cut wonderfully and with great comfort. I do not think that I have ever been able to do my chin so easily and with only two passes.
Not all BBS but many areas of BBS and the rest DFS.
Had my wife feel and inspect and she could also notice a better shave than normal. In my view, I have been getting very good shaves lately and so this is just another step up the ladder for me.
I am dedicated to this new hobby of mine and am just in my third month with a straight razor.
Feeling very good about all aspects at this time. Now to dull the practice razor and see if I can duplicate the results.
With the help of all here I have learned a lot but understand that my knowledge base is still quite low and that I have much to learn still.
Thanks Frank.