Thread: Suggestions needed

Hey Kingram,

Good to see you on this forum. You'll get great advice here.

Used Norton 4/8K stones often come up for sale, as do Coticules. So keep your eyes peeled. Or post a "wanted" ad in the classified. You can always get new Norton stones at Lee Valley, but of course used ones are cheaper.

As you've no doubt noticed, there are lots of different techniques, each with its own fans and detractors. Takes a while to figure out what works best for you.

You've really got the bug badly, haven't you?

Mike

Originally Posted by chee16

i got my norton 4/8k and 220/1000 there and it was the best price i could find and they keep them in stock regularly. that is an addictive store though, they have all these gadgets and cool tools. i got a set of eye loupes for checking out the blade (10x, 5x and 2.5x) for like $6.80. luckily my ocal one is about and hour away or i would be there way too much.

BTW i just got into Straight razor shaving about 6 months ago and was really impressed with it but didn't do enough research. i had a good kit from Tony Miller but had no hones or knowledge of them until i found SRP. from reading through these forums and posting noob threads and having members take me through things i can now say that within 2 weeks of buying my norton 4/8k i can hone a razor consistently and have it turn out very smooth and a great shaver. i got the 220/1000 norton for setting the bevel on some ebay buys i got cheap, and it works good. i will tell you it feels good to be able to sharpen my razor and i am now addicted to it. this is the only time that i have wished my beard grew faster so that i could test my razors more. i am totally satisfied with the norton, but i have never used anything else so i don't know if they work better, i just know nortons work good.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I know how addictive it can be. I am also wishing that my beard grew faster so I can test drive my skills. I guess I will stay with Norton 4K/8K and stay away for 220/1000 for now. I was thinking to buy a lapping stone but I guess I can lap with 1000grit sand paper on a glass. Please, let me know if the lapping stone (and 220/1000) are very effective.

Originally Posted by FloorPizza

I've been practicing on 3M abrasive papers and now on my new DMT's, but am still unable to produce an edge good enough to allow me to go against the grain.

So I sent one of my straights off to GSSIXGUN (who happens to be a *very* nice guy) so I can have a honemeister-sharp blade to compare my edges to. Not to mention have a good comfortable shaving razor.

It seems like everytime I achieve a new level of sharpness, the edge still ends up failing the shaving test.

I would *highly* recommend to any noob: 1. Get two razors. 2. Send one off to a honemeister so you have a sharpness goal to shoot for and an example of how a straight really can shave.

I am sure it is good to have another reference razor honed by a hone master. When I got my razor it was shave ready and perfect. I dulled it myself. I also practiced on sand paper. Another issue that I faced was that the glass was not perfectly flat. Honing on glass helped me to get a sense of the honing, though.

Originally Posted by RetroGrouch

Hey Kingram,

Good to see you on this forum. You'll get great advice here.

Used Norton 4/8K stones often come up for sale, as do Coticules. So keep your eyes peeled. Or post a "wanted" ad in the classified. You can always get new Norton stones at Lee Valley, but of course used ones are cheaper.

As you've no doubt noticed, there are lots of different techniques, each with its own fans and detractors. Takes a while to figure out what works best for you.

You've really got the bug badly, haven't you?

Mike

Hi Mike,

I am infected with the bug pretty bad. I cannot still believe that I got it. I am sure that it will be more fun when it gets to the real shaving. The issue is that I do not have the accessories at hand. As you mentioned that are infinite ways to do the job done but it takes time (and money ) to find what works for me.
K.

Originally Posted by kingram

I am sure it is good to have another reference razor honed by a hone master. When I got my razor it was shave ready and perfect. I dulled it myself. I also practiced on sand paper. Another issue that I faced was that the glass was not perfectly flat. Honing on glass helped me to get a sense of the honing, though.

Hi Kingram,

It was shave-ready to my standard, but there are many people with much more experience than I have. It might still be a good idea to get another razor from a honemeister (or send the Wapi out for a professional touch-up). Then you'll really know what to aim for.

Mike

Originally Posted by RetroGrouch

Hi Kingram,

It was shave-ready to my standard, but there are many people with much more experience than I have. It might still be a good idea to get another razor from a honemeister (or send the Wapi out for a professional touch-up). Then you'll really know what to aim for.

Mike

Hi Mike,

You did very well in honing and stropping. The first 2 shaves were fine. It still shaves OK but not as smooth as the first time. Even if I get it honed by the best honemeister, I will dull it during the stropping after first shave. I am aiming to hone it myself and practice my stropping abilities. After a couple of attempts, I will ask a pro to hone it so I know what to aim for. I have this habit that I always want to finish the job myself which gets me into trouble sometimes.I guess I am getting to the point to be self sufficient with accessories. the rest is the practicing and muscle memory.