Thread: How to tell if razor is over honed?

Originally Posted by izlat

Lol, I almost always do this!

If you do this, resist looking at "the Sexy Devil in the mirror" (quoting Ashton Kutcher) - this cannot possibly help your honing

Cheers
Ivo

It ain't gonna do the mirror much good either!

Originally Posted by heavydutysg135

I am living in Southern California right now. Specifically the torrance, redondo, palos verdes area. I would be up for getting together with any and all members to teach/learn the art of honing.

We should get everyone in So Cal and arrange for some informal meeting out together somewhere and then go from there.

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

Alan's post was EXCELLENT. Let me echo that honing isn't about following a formula, although eventually you'll develop one of your own that works for you most of the time. It's about assessing the edge and knowing your tools.

When you mentioned that you could see your fingernail ripple the edge, I took that to mean that the blade is so thin that you can easily bend it by pushing your fingernail into it, not that the *edge* is like foil. You probably just have a really, really thin hollow grind on that razor. I have a razor like this. It's so thin that if I use any pressure at all I can see the edge of the hone moving like a ripple on the blade. This is normal for this type of razor; you just have to use a delicate stroke.

Follow Alan's lead--he'll take you to the Promised Land.

Josh

I should mention I have a DOVO Stainless Steel. Does this qualify as a super thin hollow grind?

Hmmm. Can't say. Mine is a Henckels Friodur. Anyone else have a Dovo SS?

Josh

Originally Posted by honedright

We should get everyone in So Cal and arrange for some informal meeting out together somewhere and then go from there.

Sounds like a great idea! We can check the google map and/or make a thread in the general section of the forum to see who might be interested. I'm at work now and I will be out of town for the weekend; so I will get on this early next week.

I have a DOVO SS, and I would not say that it is a super duper thin grind. Normal full hollow...

It was also the most PITA razor to hone. It took me almost full year to get it as sharp as it is, ofcourse, off and on honing. But once sharp, it is wonderful shaver...

Nenad

Originally Posted by Straight and loving it

I should mention I have a DOVO Stainless Steel. Does this qualify as a super thin hollow grind?

I don't think so. Unless it sings its not that hollow.

Originally Posted by Bruce

Anyone ever wonder how the old time barbers were able to do this without Nortons, diamond pastes, and microscopes?

Bruce

Honing is very simple once you know what your doing. Microscopes help you learn. But as Scott mentioned there are many, many tests for building up an edge. I was very pleased the first time I honed an edge without using a microscope.

You really only need two basic tests.

Thumbnail test to check for the smoothness of the edge.

Strop draw to measure sharpness. If your strop doesn't draw the thumb pad test works, but takes lots of experience.

Thumb nail testing can be done after 8k but be very careful about over doing the thumbnail test, it can damage/bend the edge.

Originally Posted by superfly

I have a DOVO SS, and I would not say that it is a super duper thin grind. Normal full hollow...

It was also the most PITA razor to hone. It took me almost full year to get it as sharp as it is, ofcourse, off and on honing. But once sharp, it is wonderful shaver...

Nenad

Ya see? Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout! I just can't seem to get this PITA sharp.

Wow. If you can't get it sharp with a fast waterstone like a Norton, then I'm not sure what I can recommend for you to do except persevere until you get a good edge.