Thread: Keeping a honing log

Back at the end of November I began to keep a notebook with which razors I honed and which stones I used. Sometimes detailed and sometimes just the bare essentials. I wish I had started keeping the log when I first began honing but better late then never.

I have a lot of razors and many hones. On many of those razors that I honed before keeping the log I have no idea what I used on them, how long they took or how I felt about the shave once I tested them.

I am using one of those composition books with lined paper and doing it long hand. I'm an old timer and this suits me. I imagine a spread sheet would be a more contemporary approach but for now this is fine for me.

Just thought I would throw this out there. I am sure others are already doing something like this but I hadn't noticed any posts on the topic. I think it will be useful to me to track my progress in honing and to know what is working well. Might be useful for you too.

Actually, I started doing that a few years ago but gave up. many times the same razor would require differing strokes to sharpen depending on its edge condition when I honed it. But if it works for you do it.

I do it religiously when I roast coffee so I know what time and temp to use when I come back to the same variety of coffee.

Great, just great, now ya got me thinking that another log book might be a good idea.... Hmmm lets see that will go next to my Reloading logbook, my Trap shooting logbook, my Kempo logbook my, my, my.....

Thanks a friggin lot Jimmy

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Great, just great, now ya got me thinking that another log book might be a good idea.... Hmmm lets see that will go next to my Reloading logbook, my Trap shooting logbook, my Kempo logbook my, my, my.....

Thanks a friggin lot Jimmy

Anytime I can be of assistance Glen.

Great idea never thought about it.how about this type it in the microsoft word and save it.will save paper.just my suggestion.

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

Great idea never thought about it.how about this type it in the microsoft word and save it.will save paper.just my suggestion.

I know that is what I should do but this old dog only likes to learn some new tricks. You are right though and eventually I will break down and learn how to do that.

I don't know how those of us with lots of razors could do it any other way. To many to keep up with! I use a database program and created fields for manufacture, blade width, type of blade and last honing month / year. Along with a field for comments on the shaves. Has definitely narrowed the field for me and will make it easy to decide which are keepers and which are going up for sale.

Originally Posted by Shooter

I don't know how those of us with lots of razors could do it any other way. To many to keep up with! I use a database program and created fields for manufacture, blade width, type of blade and last honing month / year. Along with a field for comments on the shaves. Has definitely narrowed the field for me and will make it easy to decide which are keepers and which are going up for sale.

Putting it that way I see that you are right. I need to put it in a file on my computer. I haven't had to use a program like word before. I have to investigate the Ubuntu equivalent and learn how it works. RTFM I guess.

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

I was going to start doing it and even got a thread ready, but then never followed up. But for me it was just what razors, their condition and how much effort required. Rather than the hones themselves since I use the same ones for the bulk of work except final polishing.

Will you be posting reports for us? Will be interesting to see how they come out.

Part of the reason I want to do it is the variety of hones as well as many razors. I will post some results once I have a system for keeping the records and make some sense out of what I find.

Right now I don't hone in the manner of a scientific study. IOW, I grab a razor and whatever hone my mood dictates. Perhaps I will try and "rate" them in the future. Lots of variables.

Also I am not too familiar with what I guess would be known as a spread sheet but I will figure it out.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Putting it that way I see that you are right. I need to put it in a file on my computer. I haven't had to use a program like word before. I have to investigate the Ubuntu equivalent and learn how it works. RTFM I guess.

<off-topic> As a software engineer, I have to say that is an amazing statement. In your time with computers, you've become familiar with Ubuntu but not with a word processing application. This is not meant in any way as an insult. I just have never, ever come across someone with that particular set of knowledge. This is something I will have to keep in mind. </off-topic>

As a fledgling razor restorer, I can add that I've used an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of the various blades that I've purchased from Ebay. I have little scale templates I've made up from manila folders that I number. The spreadsheet helps me keep track of which template, wood, sanding techniques, and finishing techniques I've used. I imagine that with a lot of experience it's easy to just "know" what the appropriate grits and finishes are, but this helps me build that knowledge base.