Thread: Razor Honing Record

I store in cardboard boxes with 10-20 razors per box. Also love to experiment with stones and therefore feel summary record of what I did the previous time is essential for me E.g. for each razor (on one handwritten sheet per box):

Razor brand and width (if two of the same or similar in same box, I add distinguishing features like stamps, tarnish level, scale inscription etc)
Stone progression (from bevel set to final finisher)
Paste (if I used it and if yes which one)
Tape (if I used it and if yes how many layers)
Three stars to rate first shave (1 star = good, 2 = great, 3 = exceptional) (ok ones get re-honed immediately )

Have thought of doing this on a spreadsheet but scared of it becoming a chore (or maybe it's just fear of deleting/losing the document).

Like the date and strop ideas (thanks much Euclid440) and will start adding these.

I use a spreadsheet that runs in Libre office, its free it might run on Microsoft office but office sometimes forgets the comments. The information is fairly obvious except for the space for hyperlinks to photos of the edge and the razor itself.I don't have photos for all of my razors. There is a cell for comments, the comment for my double duck is open. The image quality is bad and I can't figure out how to make it better.

I too have pics linked in my speadsheet. Helps to find them when im looking for one in the big box.

I use an A5 sized hardbound notebook for razors. An A5 softbound with a cover would also be good. Usually I record the finisher and tomo, the date, and who I did them for if not my own, and whether I used tape and what kind. I haven’t found recording the bevel setter or intermediates that useful - sure that’s most of the honing, but the finisher and or tomo makes the feel. Who you honed for is important, if they contact you in 6 months and say ‘Boy that edge was so good, can you do another like it for me?’ the answer shouldn’t be ‘No, I didn’t record how I did it!’

Hones get a word processor file on the computer as I need images in that case.

I have no idea why this never occurted to me. As I am planning a honing session tonight I will also start a log tonight. Hopefully thi swill help me improve my honing but at the very least it will help me keep track of what I have honed and when.

Originally Posted by Steve56

I use an A5 sized hardbound notebook for razors. An A5 softbound with a cover would also be good. Usually I record the finisher and tomo, the date, and who I did them for if not my own, and whether I used tape and what kind. I haven’t found recording the bevel setter or intermediates that useful - sure that’s most of the honing, but the finisher and or tomo makes the feel. Who you honed for is important, if they contact you in 6 months and say ‘Boy that edge was so good, can you do another like it for me?’ the answer shouldn’t be ‘No, I didn’t record how I did it!’

Hones get a word processor file on the computer as I need images in that case.

“Ol Ugly” must be a great stone.

Originally Posted by Steel

“Ol Ugly” must be a great stone.

It’s the latest really good stone, so I’m using it a lot, but it is very good. Hard though, takes a while just to get a thin slurry.

Edit: this is ol’ ugly!

Well I have had 2 honing sessions since I started a log and it has already shown that it will pay off in a funny way. Did 3 razors each day (sort of) first day everything normal did same progression on my welsh slates for all 3. Next day one was definitely not as keen as the others, so it was separated from the ready to go and will get another session later.
Next session I used a stone of indeterminate grit that I got from an antique store and had recently lapped. Im guessing around 8k but will shave off of it or try to soon. The next was the surprise. While looking at through the loop it looked very smooth and sharp, so I decided to do the HHT. Well dang if it didn't seem like those hairs split before I even touched the razor! I can only assume I honed it at some point then placed it in the B box (those only in need of a honing and not any restoration) instead of the A box (those in regular rotation) because of lack of room. I tend to put overfill there so I guess I have to check them all out to see whats in B. The "third" straight that session I did on a progression of naniwas, it went well but of course the proof is in the shave so we shall see.

Now if I had used a log before would have known my clauss was already honed so system has already proved itself to me

I don't bother with a log, even for as many as I have.
All go thru the same progression of hones, only the finisher can be different. If I didn't like it, I go back to my usual finishers. .ya guys might want to add what strop, too. I've had blades that liked certain strops over others.

A edge doesn't end on the hone, it stops at the strop.

I am firmly of the opinion that if something works for one edge, it works for all edges. As in: any hone or strop; the count may vary.

On topic: I used to keep rough track of my honing in an excel file. However, as I've been using pretty much one razor for the past year I haven't had much use for it anymore.