Thread: Noob needs help!

I'm pretty new to straights as a whole, but I've not done much honing at all. So far my only attempt seems to have gone awry. On the advice of a more experienced user I tried touching up my Dovo INOX with a 12k finishing stone and it seems that I either dulled the edge, rolled the edge, or (hopefully not) messed up the bevel. I've tried stropping it sharp, and even tried a bit of green CrOx, all to no avail.

Ive got a full set of pastes (black, red, green, yellow, white), and a 8k/12k stone. What's the best way to get this razor back shaving? I'll attach a macro picture of the edge if that helps.

I've seen something similar. It was when I first started using a straight and when stropping I would drag on the edge with to much pressure. I would try lightening your pressure some and make sure razor stays on the strop. Same goes with honing. Keep the pressure low when finishing a razor. I found that if I use too much pressure when finishing it will create a very thin edge that will fold really easy. If stropping doesn't fix it might have to goe back to the stones. Hopefully its not to bad where it needs more work since you only have an 8k as your lowest stone.

Add a location to your ID so we can know where you are from. This way, folks may offer to fix it for you while you watch and learn. You will need a new bevel set. You did just fine, we all have messed up edges....if someone says they haven't I wouldn't believe them. If we can't find someone near you after you update your location...just send it to me and cover return postage. I will do this only if you agree to try again with your Naniwa 12K (it is a naniwa stone right?) once the edge deteriorates to a slight pull.

BTW, I don't use or promote pastes...some believe in them, but I do not.

Stropping well keeps the edge going. Unfortunately stropping poorly can cause some serious issues. A nice offer from Scott. There are members here from all over the place, help may be closer than you think. Honing has a lot of small nuances that can be tough to learn from videos. If you can get to a meet, or meet with an experienced member that is the best place of all to learn.

Scott has excellent advice. I bet you'll get a PM from an experienced member the day you put in a location. Add his offer to set your bevel...just shows the quality people that are on this site.

That's very generous of you Scott! TBH, I'm not sure if it's a Naniwa or not... the 8/12k is what I was told by the guy I got it from as part of a trade. It's an unmarked synth is all I know for certain, but having the chance to compare to some marked stones when I was in New Orleans last month it feels about right.

Best to learn how to shave first,, and get a truly shave ready razor, your trying to run before you walk. Tc

Come on man, don't be THAT guy. Yes I'm "pretty new" but after 4 months of nothing but straights I leave the house every day with a DFS or better.... you clearly have some knowledge so why not help me out with my actual question?

Do you have a 1k stone? Sounds like you're gonna have to start from scratch.

There are a lot of new guys that try to do everything at once. We see it all the time. That's why so many offer advice against honing and learning to shave simultaneously. I had stones before I had my first razor. I learned as I went. It's not impossible, just go slow and ask questions when you don't feel comfortable. Buy a cheaper razor to practice with. The best piece of advice I can give you is to find someone who can show you. That, and they can watch you hone and point out things you may be doing wrong. That goes for stropping too.

Originally Posted by Jfavre08

Come on man, don't be THAT guy. Yes I'm "pretty new" but after 4 months of nothing but straights I leave the house every day with a DFS or better.... you clearly have some knowledge so why not help me out with my actual question?

First and Foremost, take Scott up on his offer. You can PM him here;
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...ttgoodman.html

As has been written even stropping can mess up an edge and a hone can do a lot more damage in a very short time.

Now to Tc's post. He's not 'dinging you' he's giving an honest opinion.I'm a firm believer that once a new straight razor user has begun to be able to 'Properly' strop, make lather and most importantly shave then it 'might be time to learn to hone. Personally I feel that it takes about a year to get to that stage. With that said, 'maintaining' on a Naniwa 12K still needs to be done properly and carefully.

NOW, once you get the razor back from Scott, you will have a 'starting point' in that you will know how well the razor shaves. While I too would offer to hone N/C with only shipping charges, you won't go wrong by taking Scott up on his offer of help.

This age old art takes time and patience, once mastered you will enjoy a lifetime of shaving.

It's a long strange trip, but well worth the journey.