Thread: HELP!!!

I GIVE UP!!! I am officially the WORST honer in the world. I don't get what it so difficult about honing, but I just cannot seem to accomplish it. I've tried the pyramids, Norton, coticule, paste, strop. I can get the razor sharp enough to take the hair off my arm, but not pass the HHT. Does not shave my face at all.

Is there any Honemeister in the NYC/northern NJ area who would give me lessons? I will pay!!! I love shaving with straights but I would really like to be able to hone them myself as well.

It can be really frustrating, can't it? My honing's always improving, but i still need paste to get it to the point that many others achieve straight off the stone. If you can't find any honemiesters nearby, try to get to a meet. There will be plenty of guys all ready to help then.

message sent i may help.

What I have learned in my minimal time here is that the HHT is just one test. I was at the Minnesota get together and a few of the guys were discussing their honing experiences and what seemed to come up a few times is that not all the tests worked for everyone. Some had very sharp razors that just wouldn't perform a HHT test but were shart onr a TPT and would take the hair off of one mans arm, but not another. The only true test is from the shave, after all, because that is what counts. I'm a rookie here speaking, but I don't think you should be discouraged. Keep practicing and watching the videos.

Thanks for all the encouragement. For my beard, I have found that the HHT is the best indication for a sharp enough razor. I can't seem to get the feel for the TPT - they all feel the same to me with that test.

Originally Posted by prhomme

Thanks for all the encouragement. For my beard, I have found that the HHT is the best indication for a sharp enough razor. I can't seem to get the feel for the TPT - they all feel the same to me with that test.

Do you have a DE razor blade to compare against? Might be worth buying a pack even if you don't use them, they aren't expensive.

Also you might need to wash your hands thoroughly before trying the TPT. I once tried it using oil instead of water - bad idea, you lose all sensation and I sensed the blade was cutting in way too easily so I stopped right away. If you do the TPT with greasy skin you might have a similar problem. Washing thoroughly should degrease your thumb enough to get better feedback. Just a thought.

I doubt you are the worst honer in the world... I'm pretty bad at honing myself and I did get frustrated as well..

But now I can get my razor shaving most of the times.. just not always comfortable..

give it time.. make sure that the bevel is set.. and go from there..

I've only managed to do the HHT from the 1200 grit DMT and that is surely not a comfortable shaver.. as soon as the razor hits the BBW the HHT stops...

at that point I totaly rely on the TPT and a look wit the loupe..

Well goodluck and now back to your hones

Maarten

Originally Posted by Dusty79

What I have learned in my minimal time here is that the HHT is just one test. I was at the Minnesota get together and a few of the guys were discussing their honing experiences and what seemed to come up a few times is that not all the tests worked for everyone. Some had very sharp razors that just wouldn't perform a HHT test but were shart onr a TPT and would take the hair off of one mans arm, but not another. The only true test is from the shave, after all, because that is what counts. I'm a rookie here speaking, but I don't think you should be discouraged. Keep practicing and watching the videos.

Randy honed the razor and it was his arm hair that popped and mine that did not. I'll tell you, it certainly made me feel better because I could rarely get a razor to pop my arm hair so it always made me wonder about my honing ability.

Prhomme, generally when someone makes a honing complaint such as yours, there is one standard answer to ask. That is, are you sure that the bevel is properly set? If it isn't, you can hone for hours and not get anywhere but frustrated. If it is set, then you are about 90% of the way toward a properly honed razor. If you are struggling to get it sharp, I would suggest that you put in more time on setting the bevel before going back to the pyramids. Good luck!

Originally Posted by Utopian

Prhomme, generally when someone makes a honing complaint such as yours, there is one standard answer to ask. That is, are you sure that the bevel is properly set? If it isn't, you can hone for hours and not get anywhere but frustrated. If it is set, then you are about 90% of the way toward a properly honed razor. If you are struggling to get it sharp, I would suggest that you put in more time on setting the bevel before going back to the pyramids. Good luck!

+1 on that advice...but you really didn't include enough information in your post to zero in on what your problem really is.

What brand of razor are you honing?

Has it ever been honed before (was it ever shave ready) or is it brand new?

Have you inspected the bevel with magnification?

Have you used any of the tricks in the Wiki...such as using a magic marker?

Without a lot more info all you are going to receive is guesses or general advice.

Let me know if you ever get around the Cleveland, OH area. Door is always open.

Lynn