Thread: New to honing, smiling edge

Hi all,

I started using a straight razor about half a year ago. Best decision I ever made. Well, ok, maybe an exaggeration, but it's up there! Shaving has been a pleasure ever since I threw my cartridge razor away.

For me personally, I never found the shaving part difficult. I ended up with razor burn a couple of times in the beginning but nothing worse. I'm working with a 7/8 Wade & Butcher, hollow, square point, slight smile.

What I did find more challenging was stropping (although I'm getting a hang of it now, I think) and while I'm not sure poor stropping is to blame, I've somehow inflicted a small chip on the edge. I've just ordered two double-sided waterstones (200, 800 + 4000, 8000) to try to rectify and learn for future use. However, I love this Wade & Butcher to death and don't want to damage it somehow? How likely is that? What's the worst thing that can happen? How do I hone a slightly smiling edge?

Thanks a lot!!

PM sent to you.

Forget the 200, save that for axes.
In fact let someone experienced hone it for you & practice on a less valuable razor. Yes, you could do damage at this stage.
A few guys advertise here : https://straightrazorpalace.com/member-services/

Or, if you're really determined you need to understand this : https://shavelibrary.com/w/Rolling_X_stroke

Using the little Google box at the top right of page will net you a bunch more info.

yes,honing a smiling edge is what i call "advanced honing". It is possible to ruin a razor especially if you don't know when to call it quits.

+1 on sending it to a pro for honing. I've ruined a couple in the beginning from not knowing what I was doing. Its best to let some one who knows what they are doing hone it and as stated above, practice on less valuable razors.

Where did you get the razor from and who honed it for you?

It might be worth to know, if you like how it shaves, how the razor was honed and what finishing stone was used

There's only one thing that'll make you good at honing and that is honing razors yourself

I would not learn to hone on a razor I care for, I had to learn that the hard way


Also,
does the small chip affect your shave? If no, just leave it, it'll wear out eventually with stropping and some honing later on


If you like that razor that much and the chip does affect your shave and you want to keep using it right away, get in touch with someone in your region that has experience honing

Honing a razor isn’t rocket science but it is a learned skill that takes time and lots of practice to become really good at it or master it. Send your razor to a pro and have it honed. Watch the Lynn Abrams YouTube Videos on honing with Naniwa Superstones. Take your time. You’ll get there. And ask one of us old geezers for help anytime.