Thread: new razor will not hone

This is an utterly pointless diversion that has nothing to do with how this beginner screwed up his razor. I recall being reminded that we are supposed to help beginners here, so let’s stay on the true topic.

When one of your only tools is a hammer, too many things look like nails. The stabilizer had nothing to do with what went wrong here. Anyone who has honed a new Boker King Cutter knows this. The stabilizer did not cause this problem. Absolutely inexperienced and terrible honing caused this; and eventually the stabilizer suffered along with the rest of the razor.

The damage happened because the honer focused too much on the pressure on the spine rather than on the edge. The spine is to serve as a guide to set the angle of the honing but the blade needs to be slightly torqued to emphasize the pressure on the edge rather than the spine. We regularly advise beginners to tape the spine partially to accommodate for failure of beginners to focus the pressure on the edge rather than the spine.

This beginner made two mistakes. First, he put too much pressure on the spine and not enough on the edge. Second, he failed to tape the spine, which would have prevented the subsequent wear on the spine.

Because the pressure was continually higher on the spine rather than the edge, the angle of the blade kept lowering and as a result the angle of the bevels kept lowering. Because of this, the bevels never met to form an edge. This is why he never found a sharp edge. He never had one because the angles kept lowering as he kept wearing down the spine. This mistake was doomed to failure.

So now what?

GET HELP!!!!

Find someone local to help you or get more one on one help online. The first step should be to get these razors fixed by someone who knows what they are doing. Only then should you try honing your own razors again. Please don't give up and please don't take what we are telling you that you did wrong as any sort of personal criticism. For the most part, we are here to help!

Who was blaming the stabilizer?

The O.P. has been given some great advice on his razors. Until he returns with some improvements or other issues, then I would not be too concerned at this point. It's in his hands now.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

The O.P. has been given some great advice on his razors. Until he returns with some improvements or other issues, then I would not be too concerned at this point. It's in his hands now.

He would be best served by taking Glen up on his offer. That would be the best first step.

I suspect that there may be a bit of a language barrier. Or he may have become frustrated with all the harsh and unnecessary criticism. It's not easy to be the new guy. Especially with all the old salts emphasizing how poor and tragic your first attempt was.

Yes, but that has not happened yet.

Originally Posted by BeJay

I suspect that there may be a bit of a language barrier. Or he may have become frustrated with all the harsh and unnecessary criticism. It's not easy to be the new guy. Especially with all the old salts emphasizing how poor and tragic your first attempt was.

I have to confess that I did not notice the language issue until you pointed it out. We always need to be cognizant of language difficulties and I missed it this time. That said, I hope that the OP can recognize the reasons for our comments. I do not believe that anyone meant to be harsh or to make unnecessary criticism. The OP severely trashed his razor and we responded to it.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Yes, but that has not happened yet.

I agree. I don't think anyone intended to be harsh or that anyone made unnecessary criticisms. I think they were honest responses to a bad mistake. Hopefully the OP will stick around to get this all sorted out.

It may take a bit for him to come back. It is not easy to stand up and own your mistakes, especially on a public forum that you are a brand new member of. I hope he does stick around and that he sends his razors to glen and everything sweeps along like water under the bridge.

Could be the OP is a bit embarrassed to reply or seek help. I hope he does.
I am not embarrassed to say I trashed the edge of my first shave ready razor on the belt off my trousers.....Well, a little bit embarrassed.....C'mon on, give me a break. It was 4 years ago...

He bought two fairly expensive razors to start. He might have mentioned buying more to try again. Not sure if it was this site's post or the other site.

Maybe he's just waiting for the new razor to arrive.