Thread: What makes on a "Honemeister"?

Originally Posted by heavydutysg135

I think that a honemeister is one who has extensive experience honing razors of different steel composition, grinds (wedges, full hollow, etc), and blade profiles (wedges). A honemeister would also have extensive experience honing razors with at least minor damage including warps, chips, worn spine etc and would probably have experience regrinding razors when it is necessary. It takes so many test shaves to test different variables like how different steels react to different razors that I don't think that I think that it would take at least a few years to reach this status. Furthermore, I think that the status of honemeister is not something that one can rightfully bestow upon one's self, it is a title that is given by others. Just my .02

this would probably be the best reference... but, then again, this description is very similar to that of a professional razor restorer... i would assume a honemeister can be a honemeister without mastering rebuilding a razor.... re grinding it, etc... after all, HONE is the first word...

i would then assume a honemeister would be someone who can hone any blade regardless of grind, profile, curvature (smiling blades), tip (spike, round, french, etc..) has all the proper tools to do so, and can do so while schooling newbies on a forum, without even having to give the honing action a second though, and never miss the goal of utmost shaveability... unless of course the razor is just a POS, in which case... nobody could hone it

Anybody care for a Chuck Norris hijack at this point?

Well in the old days obtaining a Master status in a specific craft wasn't such a mystery, was it? In principle it would be possible to set up a system along those lines, but I don't think it would be worthwhile. Unless we really want to get serious about this straight razor thingy... beyond a hobby.

I've always thought it would be nice to at least have an intermediate level. Right now the two levels are "idiot" and "honemeister."

Josh

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

I've always thought it would be nice to at least have an intermediate level. Right now the two levels are "idiot" and "honemeister."

Josh

How about a multi-tiered system:

Beginner: Youngling Honer
Intermediate: Padawan Honer
Advanced: Jedi Honer
Master: Honemeister

/apologies to Lucas

Dang! And all this time I thought it was someone who could hone while drinking German beer.

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

I've always thought it would be nice to at least have an intermediate level. Right now the two levels are "idiot" and "honemeister."

Josh

Yeah but the thing is that you then need to have tests in order to be able to grade people so that they can be promoted / demoted. And who will do the testing, and which will be the requirements, and...

BTW, as an aside, Lynn has often offered to evaluate honed razors for any member that requested it.

I'd guess it would be much the same as master tradesman, an honor that only time and experience can bring. ie: 4/5 year apprenticeship and a further 10 years of continuous experience. If you don't know it by then it ain't worth knowing.
my 2 cents

Okay, this thread hasn't had any new posts in a while, but I can't help adding one more with the most obvious pun:
You've got to have the stones to be a honemeister.