Thread: Rolling X

Originally Posted by TCMichigander

I would suggest using a practice smiler... This is not a hard way to hone/sharpen a razor but if you are not completely comfortable doing regular x-strokes start to finish on a razor it only takes a small miss step and your edge is toast... I personally didnt put a razor to a stone until i was a year into SR shaving.... I sent mine out and learned the art of keeping them sharp with a strop.. I took the advice of a few members and for me it was the best advice i listened to... When it was time to learn how to use stones i was well versed on shaving and it was sooo easy to transition into the last part of maintaining my razors... I tell anyone who asks for advise to wait on trying to hone.. Just my opinion

I learned it all at the same time before I knew anyone else in the world used a straight razor and personally don't see how it makes any difference except that you have to know at least the most basic skills to know whether your razor is sharp or not. In fact it may help you to learn the difference. Also just my opinion.
By the way, that's why I sent him the practice razors.

So i watch a new guy post a video 6 weeks ago who's shaking like he's had 3 cups of coffee on an empty stomach.. Not a bad job Steve by the way.. To rolling X-Strokes now? Okeedokee..

I started honing/sharpening at a young age, maybe 7 or 8 years old. Mainly knives, hatchet's, machete's, what ever had an edge, or could have an edge put on it. So, Id already had a good understanding of how to go about it.
I started using and honing my razor when I was 17, I just turned 51 last month. So yeah, got some experience with rocks n steel.

Originally Posted by outback

I started honing/sharpening at a young age, maybe 7 or 8 years old. Mainly knives, hatchet's, machete's, what ever had an edge, or could have an edge put on it. So, Id already had a good understanding of how to go about it.
I started using and honing my razor when I was 17, I just turned 51 last month. So yeah, got some experience with rocks n steel.

51 Mike , I had no idea what a youngster you are!

Old man Steve

Originally Posted by outback

I started honing/sharpening at a young age, maybe 7 or 8 years old. Mainly knives, hatchet's, machete's, what ever had an edge, or could have an edge put on it. So, Id already had a good understanding of how to go about it.
I started using and honing my razor when I was 17, I just turned 51 last month. So yeah, got some experience with rocks n steel.

I got your rollin'x right here!

You da man, Mike!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

I got your rollin'x right here!

You da man, Mike!

I can just hear Joe Pesci's voice in my head when I read that. PHEW! Comedy is good medicine.

My response might have sounded a little snappy in return.. Apologize for that.. I also lied a little bit in saying i didnt touch a stone in the 1st year of learning.. I bought the norton 4000/8000 & naniwa ss 12000.. And like the majority i too wanted to jump 8n head first and did for a little bit. But i soon found out that i didnt even know how to strop a razor to keep it usable but.was doing even more damage whem i took it to a stone... So at that time i put them away and stropped my ass off ... Evem when they didnt need it i was stropping all the time.. Drove my wife crazy but i tell you what i learned how to keep an edge on a razor for a long time... So just from my own experience im a big advocate of of using a strop for edges... Its certainly not for me to tell anyone the way that they learned how to use and maintain.straight razors is the wrong or right way... As a matter of fact after putting out my last post it reminded me i had been putting off a Heljestrand that i needed to put on the finisher so just got that stubborn bugger done!.. Take care all.
.

Like with most things there are several ways to the same end. There really is no one size fits all solution but just suggestions on how to go about things. That really goes for when to learn and how to hone. Nobody has suggested any really bad ways but there definitely are a few bad ones out there. In the end the individual simply has to pick a way and try it. You learn from experience which is the best way for yourself. I think everyone hones a little different in the end anyway.

Bob

You know, reading over my reply it sounds a little sassy. My apologies TC. Don't get me wrong. I'm certainty NOT trying to turn this into a pissing match. Far be it from me to claim expertise in this. As I say I had to learn by myself from trial and error so that has to have jaded my outlook. No offense intended.
He definitely has taken on a lot quickly. The guy is hungry. So he wants.to learn , I say good for him. The Isley Brothers fired Jimi Hendrix because he wouldn't calm down. I hate to stifle that enthusiasm. Steve should go in advised that rushing causes mistakes.
TC is right. If you are going to venture into it don't do it with your fancy razor and no experience but he has practice razors like TC suggested. Mistakes are a learning experience. That's all I'm saying.
I'm self taught at a lot of things and it is good and bad. It has certainly bitten me enough times. In my conversations with Steve he seems like an adventurous spirit. You have to know that there are snakes in the woods though. If he's okay with that then why not?