Thread: Daily Honing?

Interesting - I have the same exact Dovo razor and am having the same exact problem that you are. I hone it and it lasts for one shave, then it's crap. I've only been shaving with a straight for a few months, so it's hard to say what the issue is - my ability to hone or my shave technique. My razor was originally honed by Lynn and the edge seemed to last a lot longer than when I honed it, so I'm leaning towards a fault in my honing.

Need to practice more!

Originally Posted by Ray Zorr

So does back honing fix an over honed edge? What is the best way to get back to square one?

I have used back-honing, followed by regular honing, when I thought I'd over-honed an edge, and it seems to work. In other words, I have been able to achieve a good, long-lasting edge that way without too much trouble.

At other times (when nothing else seemed to work) I've just run the edge over a wooden match stick a few times, to remove the fine edge, and started over from scratch. Just be careful to not over-hone again. Involves a little more effort that way (starting over), but it does do the job.


Scott

Originally Posted by honedright

I have used back-honing, followed by regular honing, when I thought I'd over-honed an edge, and it seems to work. In other words, I have been able to achieve a good, long-lasting edge that way without too much trouble.

At other times (when nothing else seemed to work) I've just run the edge over a wooden match stick a few times, to remove the fine edge, and started over from scratch. Just be careful to not over-hone again. Involves a little more effort that way (starting over), but it does do the job.


Scott

Good to here from you again Scott!

Your contributions to this site are invaluable!!

Originally Posted by Ray Zorr

I have a shavette that is always sharp as a backup. I have only gotten excellent shaves with it except for the occasional nick from catching the corner of the blade.



Japanese 1200, DMT 8k, yellow coticule. Passes HHT of the DMT and coticule easily...at least at first. Edit: As well as after stropping...




So does back honing fix an over honed edge? What is the best way to get back to square one?

OK more questions… do you see the chips after honing? Or after shaving?
If it’s just after honing then you may have a wire edge that is braking up leaving bits on the razor edge… not good
Use the back honing method or match stick as Honedright suggested to fix this.

If it’s after shaving it could be your shaving angle too high and your hair is braking up a good edge, again leaving bits missing from the edge (chips)… not good
Reset your angle… just lay the blade and spline flat on your cheek, slowly move the razor to cut while slowly lifting the spine off your cheek, as soon as the blade starts to pop the hairs stop lifting the spline and allow the edge to do its work… make a conscious effort to keep that angle all the way to the jaw (WTG).

I have been straight shaving for many years and almost gave up in the beginning because I was shaving like “squeezing” my face and wondering why my razor went dull after one shave. Even now I still sometimes unconsciously lift the blade too high.

Another suggestion; is to strop just after shaving to remove moisture form the edge (drying with a towel may not be enough), just a few passes. That moisture could start corrosion on the edge sometimes within a few hours, and again causing chips and a rough “second shave” even if you strop before that second shave (corrosion has already eaten away the edge) so now you have to go hone again to get back that edge.

You will probable always get good shaves from the shavette because you’ll always have a new factory honed blade in it… if you have another straight you can compare the shaves form another straight razor that you have honed yourself to prove or disprove suspected bad steal in the current razor… just my opinion... or even justify tour honing/stropping abilities.


That was a mouthful… or is that a screenfull sorry for the long post.

Originally Posted by prhomme

Interesting - I have the same exact Dovo razor and am having the same exact problem that you are. I hone it and it lasts for one shave, then it's crap. I've only been shaving with a straight for a few months, so it's hard to say what the issue is - my ability to hone or my shave technique. My razor was originally honed by Lynn and the edge seemed to last a lot longer than when I honed it, so I'm leaning towards a fault in my honing.

Need to practice more!

I would agree with that.

Originally Posted by honedright

I have used back-honing, followed by regular honing, when I thought I'd over-honed an edge, and it seems to work. In other words, I have been able to achieve a good, long-lasting edge that way without too much trouble.

At other times (when nothing else seemed to work) I've just run the edge over a wooden match stick a few times, to remove the fine edge, and started over from scratch. Just be careful to not over-hone again. Involves a little more effort that way (starting over), but it does do the job.


Scott

I will give this a try and see if it improves.

Originally Posted by smythe

OK more questions… do you see the chips after honing? Or after shaving?
If it’s just after honing then you may have a wire edge that is braking up leaving bits on the razor edge… not good
Use the back honing method or match stick as Honedright suggested to fix this.

If it’s after shaving it could be your shaving angle too high and your hair is braking up a good edge, again leaving bits missing from the edge (chips)… not good
Reset your angle… just lay the blade and spline flat on your cheek, slowly move the razor to cut while slowly lifting the spine off your cheek, as soon as the blade starts to pop the hairs stop lifting the spline and allow the edge to do its work… make a conscious effort to keep that angle all the way to the jaw (WTG).

I have been straight shaving for many years and almost gave up in the beginning because I was shaving like “squeezing” my face and wondering why my razor went dull after one shave. Even now I still sometimes unconsciously lift the blade too high.

Another suggestion; is to strop just after shaving to remove moisture form the edge (drying with a towel may not be enough), just a few passes. That moisture could start corrosion on the edge sometimes within a few hours, and again causing chips and a rough “second shave” even if you strop before that second shave (corrosion has already eaten away the edge) so now you have to go hone again to get back that edge.

You will probable always get good shaves from the shavette because you’ll always have a new factory honed blade in it… if you have another straight you can compare the shaves form another straight razor that you have honed yourself to prove or disprove suspected bad steal in the current razor… just my opinion... or even justify tour honing/stropping abilities.


That was a mouthful… or is that a screenfull sorry for the long post.

I like the stropping idea, I always stay away from the edge when drying it and this could be on of the reasons it is becoming weaker.

And yes the reason I use a shavette is for the specific reason of it being always sharp...it gives me a nice way to feel what really sharp should feel like.