Thread: Thanks for the Push toward Honing, Gentlemen

Aloha!

I've been wet shaving since I was 18 and I picked up my grandfather's Solingen. I've restored a few razors, made some of my own scales, and have done a ton of stropping. But until recently, I had never honed my own razors. I sent them out to my "honing guy" for $25 per. Belive me, this adds up. I mentioned in another thread that I just didn't have time to learn honing until I retired and would wait until then to give it a try. A few here suggested that there is no time like the present and that I should get a starter Norton 4k/8k stone and give it a start. "No time like the present" was what one SRP member stated. Man, was he right.

I did just that and for sure, I am darn glad I did. I have the Norton 4/8k stone, I've watched dozens of videos, read dozens of articles, and have since honed two of my cheaper razors. I ordered a Gold Dollar as the first go and was surprised how decent the edge turned out. So I moved on to my Cut Throat Gents razor (my travel straight edge), putting a darn fine edge on that as well. In fact, I was so impressed that I've been using the Cut Throat Gents frequently at home (not just for travel) since honing. My Oxford will be next (the first vintage razor), then perhaps my Solingen or Yankee Wedge. The list goes on. I only have about 20 vintage razors unlike some guys here that have dozens, but it will be nice to be able to hone them myself, and save a bunch of money VS sending them out for honing.

Thanks to you gents that pushed me toward honing. I find it very enjoyable and it closes the loop on the art of shaving for me. I owe you one.

-Zip

When you are learning you will find some razor are just a pain for whatever reason, if you run across one of those just put it aside until later when you have more experience. I killed a perfectly good vintage razor once because I didn't put it aside until I was more comfortable with different blade geometries

Originally Posted by rodb

When you are learning you will find some razor are just a pain for whatever reason, if you run across one of those just put it aside until later when you have more experience. I killed a perfectly good vintage razor once because I didn't put it aside until I was more comfortable with different blade geometries

Thank you. Great advice. No pride here. When it comes to honing, I'm a babe in the woods. All advice gladly accepted.

-Zip

Actually, I was pushing for honing lessons at your place, but congrats on the progress anyway!

Originally Posted by Utopian

Actually, I was pushing for honing lessons at your place, but congrats on the progress anyway!

Aloha!

I thought you had suggested getting a Norton stone and starting my journey, but perhaps it was someone else. But by all means, come to Hawaii and give me some lessons! The door is always open. Spam and eggs for breakfast (Hawaii is Spam Crazy) oceanside on the lanai, follwed by some honing lessons.





I spent two solid weeks studying the videos and reading the articles before I put blade to stone. I think it paid off. But I'm no fool. I realize there is a TON that I do not know, and of course, I don't know WHAT I don't know yet. But it will all come with time. That's part of the enjoyment for me.

-Zip

Sounds like you got your honing squared away a lot faster than I did, congrats on the speedy victory! With a good 1K you'll be pretty much set for life - or as long as you can keep HAD at bay.

Way to go Zip

Honing is fun, but watch it, that AD will grab you quick. This stone is good.....but that one is better.......and that one there, I have to get it!!! It's MORE better

Originally Posted by Dieseld

Way to go Zip

Honing is fun, but watch it, that AD will grab you quick. This stone is good.....but that one is better.......and that one there, I have to get it!!! It's MORE better

No! It's MUCH MORE BETTER!!

Originally Posted by Dieseld

Way to go Zip

Honing is fun, but watch it, that AD will grab you quick. This stone is good.....but that one is better.......and that one there, I have to get it!!! It's MORE better

OH YES! I can see this happening, big time. I've already had my eye on a top shelf finishing stone. But my grandfather's genes wispered in my ear.... slow down son, slow down.

I inhertied my grandfather's Solingen, and his strop, but I have no idea whatever happened to his honing stone. From my memory, he had only ONE stone, but that was so long ago and I was so young, my memory may be off. I swear my grandfather stayed with a straight razor rather than jumping to a DE for one reason and one reason only, he was too thrifty to buy blades! So it would not surprise me if he had only one stone, one strop, one razor and probably Ivory soap in his shaving mug. I mean, why not Ivory? Glycerin based, dirt cheap and it's readily available in the bathroom......Grandmother probably would not even notice a piece was shaved off!

Originally Posted by ZipZop

Grandmother probably would not even notice a piece was shaved off!

I had to read this a few times to figure out that you meant a piece of soap!