Thread: Breakthrough!

After coming back to SRP,and back into SR shaving, I've spent a lot of time absorbing new viewpoints and reading some things I had forgotten. Of all the components of SR shaving, there was one I had never gotten competent or confident with -- honing.

I had done what lots of new SR shavers have done and more will do in the future...I bought the hones before I knew what a good shave was. In my case they were Naniwa Superstones and I went in deeper than I should have for a guy who was learning to shave. I bought 1k, 3k, 8k, and 12k as well as a DMT 325 to lap them and gave it a few tries. I still sent most of my razors out, but worked diligently (and maybe too "tensely") on a few, which never ended shave ready. I even sent some of "failures" to the well known honing guru of the day to critique, got his feedback and quit for lack of confidence, time and effort.

Well I'm back and can report success! I pulled out my very first SR, the pictured Hoffritz 5/8, which I bought in a mall knife shop in the early 80s. Once I learned to shave with a new Ralf Aust and had the Hoffritz honed (I think by Glen), and it shaved very well, which started me on RAD.

Today, I figured, "what do I have to lose?" so I pulled the Hoffritz and the stones out, and decided to give it a go on the 8k and 12k since the edge wasn't bad, just no longer fixable with even a pasted strop (I have those too)

I watched some old Gssixgun videos on YouTube on honing with the Naniwas, and bingo -- had fun, paid attention and was relaxed, and came away after a good stropping with a great edge that produced a great shave. I'm a happy guy!! Nice to be old and still learning!!

Live and learn!

When you stop learning you are dead!

I'm a happy guy!! Nice to be old and still learning!!

Bingo to both of your comments. "Teach in order to learn" is my e-mail sig. at work. It feels great to really nail it on an stone/edge combo, doesn't it? (especially the first few times hehe).

I would consider myself an intermediate honer on a good day, but it seems I learn something useful every time I sit down at my honing station these days; mutiple revelations in the last few weeks on cotis and arks. Hey, the in-laws finally went home here, so I'm spread out all over one end of the dining-room table; that's what I'm talkin' about!

ATTA BOY, Harold!!

Congrats !!!!

Yes! I still remember my first. Congrats!

And it will only get easier from now on with known good blades!! It's a great feeling to get them shave ready!

Congrads Harold. I have made some great leaps forward in my honing lately and now im getting very critical of how my edge is. Sure, they have been shave ready but i wanted more. And now im getting more. Its a great thing when you take another step towards the perfect edge. Just keep up the learning.

Some folks say honing is easy. Id argue with them but id get banned for all the foul launguage id use. A great edge take many hours of honing if you are going to have a good edge every time. You have ern the great feeling you have gotten. Bravo!

I don’t play golf, but I do listen to my friends who do and I hear stories about how they are sometimes ready to throw the clubs away when the “golf gods” give them a really good shot and they are hooked once again. I’m pretty sure there are honing gods who do the same thing with us straight shavers.

There is a lot of science involved in honing, but there is also a lot of intuition, artistry, finesse, practice and magic. Just like the consistency of pro golfers when playing different courses under different conditions, finding consistency in honing different blades requires persistence and practice. Sounds like you are getting there. Congratulations.

I remember many firsts like when I got my firs bevel set & when I got my first edge I could shave with. Later I learned to get a great edge on my Coti & then my 16K Shapton glass. Learning to strop well was another moment I will remember. I think the big rule to remember is THERE AIN"T NO RULES! Each blade, stone & strop are different so each situation where you have success is a first!

Slawman