Thread: Ashley hones her first ever razor on camera

so I had my friend Ashley over to the shop yesterday, she sharpened her first knife ever week before last, and yesterday we shot a video of her honing her first straight razor ever.

I am really excited about all 3 videos as usually a "guide to beginner sharpening/honing" type video is one of us "pro" types showing a "beginner" type how to do something. I have not ever seen a video like this one where we get to see someone sharpen or hone for their first time on camera, including mistakes.


Anyways, she hones one of my razors, then strops it, and then I do a quick shave on camera to show how good she did, then I gave her the razor to take home to her hubby {or heck she might use it} as thanks for helping me to show how easy getting a serviceable edge can be.


again, this is how to get a serviceable, shaveable edge, from a beginners hands. not how to get the finest edge possible, and I think we pulled it off pretty well :}

https://youtu.be/-6VOl3gNUrg

A little long. I couldn't watch it now. I am going to wait for a time when I am really bored and killing time to watch it.

32t,

yes it is pretty long, but it is as it happened with no editing, so would be the same as if I had someone in the shop that I was showing how, step by step, and I was trying to be as complete and detailed as I could be. I watch long videos like that in parts. so it might take me all day in the shop to watch a long one like that, watch 15 minutes, go back to work, take a break, watch 15 minutes, get back to work...…..

but a beginner should be able to get their stones and razor out, and follow along and get to a serviceable and shavable edge in roughly the same amount of time as the video is, and take comfort in the fact that Ashley had some missed strokes, some bobbles, and still came out with a serviceable, shaveable edge on her first try, and get confidence in the fact that if she could do it, then they can also.


then with that confidence, they can take honing wherever they want to. and try out different stones, styles, and get hooked on honing.

Thanks for sharing. I don't think my wife would be interested enough to learn lol. And blades are kept away from my daughter!

Another good vid Joe.

Please accept this as a critique rather than criticism but I'd suggest showing beginners how to hold the razor properly for stropping & honing. A bit of dexterity training prior to abrading steel takes only a little more time & it's easier to learn good habits than correct bad habits.

jp5,

I don't think I could get my wife or daughter to hone a razor either, not only are they not really interested in honing, but both are camera shy. which is why when Ashley said she didn't know how to sharpen a knife, and knowing that she isn't all that camera shy, I got her into the shop as fast as I could to get these videos made :}

gasman, thanks!!

onimaru55,

thanks, I figured with all I was trying to pack into that video that I would miss at least a couple things. ill end up doing more honing vids, now that I have a couple beginners vids, ill go back and make a couple with me honing with different styles and methods and such, and will make sure that I focus on grip in one or more of them.

Originally Posted by caltoncutlery

onimaru55,

thanks, I figured with all I was trying to pack into that video that I would miss at least a couple things. ill end up doing more honing vids, now that I have a couple beginners vids, ill go back and make a couple with me honing with different styles and methods and such, and will make sure that I focus on grip in one or more of them.

I didn't watch all the vid. but it was mostly the stropping that worried me. Stropping by holding the scales gives no control.

Speaking as a complete beginner, great video.

Loved how you didn't use too much (if any) technical jargon.

It has really got me motivated to get on and start restoring/honing my razors.

wmsheep,

thanks!! that makes it all worth it! 2 hours of my shop time, ashleys 2 hours, 2 hours to download and put the video together, 6 hours to save it, and 14 hours to upload it to youtube, plus planning it out beforehand and scheduling. lots of that time is just the laptop doing its thing and I don't have to do anything but check on it though.


ive never offered free sharpening or honing, nor do I sharpen or hone for money for my knives/razors or anyone elses, but I will spend hours on videos, phone calls, pms, and emails helping folks to do it themselves. and everytime someone ive helped out says "I sharpened my first knife/razor!" makes me feel like ive set them free from fearing dull knives from that point on.