Thread: Proper Honing technique for my new Olive wood Dovo SS request

Greetings all, I am new to the straight razor as of a few weeks ago.
I have purchased two shavers the first a Dovo Olive wood Stainless that did not come shave ready. Once I used it a couple of times I realized from the forums that the cuts and lack of performance I was getting was due to the fact that it was not shave ready. Since then I purchased a Classic Black Dovo which I bought shave ready (by Lynn) and have had much better success.
In am interested to get the SS ready and have purchased a 4k/8k combo Norton and a Spyderco Ultrafine finishing stone. I am still waiting for the latter to arrive via UPS. There seems to be some grey areas as to how to and number of strokes necessary to get the blade to pass the HHT. Can anyone chime in on a proper technique for doing such.

Much appreciated,

Purvis.

On a new SS, I would recommend starting on the Norton with 5 strokes on the 4K and 5 on the 8K followed by 3-3, 1-5 and then 1-7. Then I would do 30-50 light strokes on the UF and test. If not there it will probably be close and you may want to repeat the 1-5 and 1-7 followed by the UF again. Keep the razor flat and the strokes should be even and steady with minimum to no pressure. I am not a fan of any test other than shaving.

Good Luck.

This thread may end up over in the honing section.

Keep us posted,

Lynn

During the latest few months I have honed, or assisted in honing, 3 brandnew Dovo's that still had their factory edge. They all had an obtuser bevel than what you should get when you put the razor flat on the hone. The only solution for such an unknown bevel angle, is to do a full reset of that bevel. I other words: hone on a course enough stone (I use a 1200 grit DMT), till the bevel angle is how it should be and both sides of the bevel meet up in a perfect angle. It's perfectly doable on your 4K Norton. It will take some time though.
I advice you to look up on the Magic Marker Test. That will tell you whether I'm right or wrong with my assumptions about your razor's bevel.
I believe they lift the spine a bit off the hone, while sharpening at Dovo, to prevent hone wear on a new razor. Sadly the buyer ends up with a razor that's impossible to hone before he corrects the bevel angle. Luckily you only need to do that once.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Bart.

EDIT: while I was typing this, Lynn was apparently also typing his advice. He's FAAAAAR more experienced than I am, so I would follow his advice first.

Wow right out of the gate and I get instant feedback from no other than Lynn!
Thank you, I will give it a try once the stone arrives and keep you apprised.

Kind Regards,

Purvis

Very interesting, I was wondering about something being off, but I have to assume at the moment that its me. I will give this a shot if I end up having to. I am not sure what Magic Marker test is about but will look it up.
Thanks again,

Purvis

Lynn,
Thanks for the pyramid advice. I've got a Dovo blackstar you honed for me a few months ago that I think needs a refresh. I'm going to try the aforementioned pyramid to see if I can't get it back up to snuff.

Last night I had the time to spend performing the honing technique recommended. The shave this morning was very good. For the very first time since I started with the straight, I did not cut myself. Not a nick! The razor seemed, however to pull a bit so tonight I performed the second part, 1/5 1/7 with 50 on the UF and leather stropped for 30 strokes. I will have to wait to shave till the morning as my face is still very smooth even after 13 hours.
Remarkable.

Originally Posted by Lunchbox16

Lynn,
Thanks for the pyramid advice. I've got a Dovo blackstar you honed for me a few months ago that I think needs a refresh. I'm going to try the aforementioned pyramid to see if I can't get it back up to snuff.

Whoa there partner. Lynn was advising a honing technique for a new razor that was in need of honing. A refresh is a different matter. If you caught it before it got really bad all you should need is a very few strokes on a finishing hone. Stay away from the 4K unless something is really amiss.