Thread: Honing a Gold Dollar is hard!

So what are you saying?

If Floyd, an actor, by the way… didn’t use it no-one else can?

Yes, it is silly, to pick and choose which technology is allowed. Cellphones, computers and internet are ok, but not a scope?

If you don’t want to use a scope, don’t. But don’t tell others it is not needed, especially when you can’t even hone a razor, much less one that everyone with any experience tells you, it will make your learning process harder.

If you want to hone a Chinese razor, knock yourself out. Once you figure it out, then post your success. Maybe, that, may actually help someone.

Using magnification during razor honing goes back until at least 1884. Look at the second page of this manual.
https://archive.org/details/artofhoningrazor00lone

I remembered Robert Hooke and his early use of the microscope. I find it cool a razor's edge was one of the first objects in his book. The drawing is a 1/8 inch segment of the edge.

Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

Using magnification during razor honing goes back until at least 1884. Look at the second page of this manual.
https://archive.org/details/artofhoningrazor00lone

THANK YOU !!!! I was searching for a manual that showed it I remembered seeing it way back when but just could not find the reference

Look, use every advantage you can to learn to hone, set yourself up for success, (including a decent razor), figure it out and master razor honing, then experiment with hones, razors, strops and pastes.

Once you understand a few basics and more importantly how to diagnose what you see, and how to resolve issues, (usually more than one way) honing becomes easier. The better the edge, the better your shaves.

The more you can see of the bevel and edge, the easier it is to understand what is going on, and what works, during the honing process.

Honing really is just problem solving. You have to do what the razor needs, no two are identical.

Decent USB and handheld scopes are so inexpensive, there really is no good reason not to use them.

Jay did not indicate a microscope was not allowed, just not required. The Floyd reference, well that was humor.

Originally Posted by Brent375HH

Jay did not indicate a microscope was not allowed, just not required. The Floyd reference, well that was humor.

I agree I saw my gran paw shave with straight and strop on piece of leather that he laid over his thigh . But I never saw him own a scope. The closest thing to it was some reading glasses.

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[QUOTE=Euclid440;1641236] Honing really is just problem solving. You have to do what the razor needs, no two are identical. QUOTE]

This is so true!
As an expert honer do you know what to do with each brand or type or just the condition of the existing bevel? Without your experience I have to keep trying until I get my thumb pad to stick off the stone then strop and shave. I would imagine you don't have to keep checking with your thumb nor shave with it to know when you are done. Some of my razors just seemed to get sharp without any real effort like my Henckels, others took more hit and miss tries. Are some brand just easier than others? I have to admit at this point that while I don't have a microscope, a 15X loupe is a handy tool that I have.

“Jay did not indicate a microscope was not allowed, just not required.”

Neither is a quality stone, you could hone on the sidewalk or a brick, like some. But your results will be about what you would imagine.

And again, why or better, why not?

There are no rules, but we could tell you what works best. It is just advice, but they are your razors.

Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

Using magnification during razor honing goes back until at least 1884. Look at the second page of this manual.
https://archive.org/details/artofhoningrazor00lone

This is a wonderful read! Thanks for posting!

Originally Posted by Brent375HH

That is a totally legitimate (as opposed to silly) remark to make. He just said it is not required. I never remember seeing a microscope in a barber shop, be it USB or regular, in my whole life. Did you ever see a microscope in barber shop? I don't even think Floyd had one...

What are you trying to say here? Just because barbers have not used magnification it does not mean it is not going to help with results. In fact many have found that it does help a lot. For what is worth , those barbers may have not been able to get better than average edges due to methods and equipment.