Thread: How long does it take to hone a razor.

I was just wondering how long it would take you, on average, to hone a razor..
Lets say with a bevel set no frown,smile or other complicating factor.

I know it probably depends on the razors...

just curious

Assuming it's not a wedge, and it doesn't have any serious chips or deformities?

I would say under an hour from start to finish, not counting test shave and possible refining after test shave.

No offence taken OLD_SCHOOL. I do realize its different for all razors that why I asked an avarage... I was just curious if its normal to spend a whole evening honing one razor

Maarten

Originally Posted by mlangstr

No offence taken OLD_SCHOOL. I do realize its different for all razors that why I asked an avarage... I was just curious if its normal to spend a whole evening honing one razor

Maarten

Hard to answer.
Once the bevel is set, it generally takes me 15-20 minutes, without hurrying, to get the razor to the point of doing a test shave. Depending on the results, I still might try alternative methods and hones, but mostly the test shave turns out fine.
Setting a decent bevel might take 5 minutes or it might take over on hour, but I have a personal rule that, if 15 minutes on a hone doesn't give me a completely formed bevel, I go to a coarser hone. A DMT-600. But I often violate my own rule. If I feel I'm really closing in on a good bevel after 15 minutes, than I might stay on the same hone.
Bottom line an average honing a razor in dull but fair condition takes me about 30-40 minutes.

Honing all night on one razor sounds familiar. Been there, done that, etc...

You should reconsider coming to our honing night. That wallpaper can wait one evening of your life.

Best regards,
Bart.

New "not shave ready" blades that I have purchased have all taken under an hour, including prep time to bring to HHT sharp. The only trick to it is patience and a very light touch.

Originally Posted by Bart

Honing all night on one razor sounds familiar. Been there, done that, etc...

You should reconsider coming to our honing night. That wallpaper can wait one evening of your life.

Best regards,
Bart.

Well its getting better and I think I've got some clue of what I'm doing.. but not more than that.

I'll certainly join a honing night after the baby is born..

Maarten

Originally Posted by mlangstr

I was just wondering how long it would take you, on average, to hone a razor..
Lets say with a bevel set no frown,smile or other complicating factor.

I know it probably depends on the razors...

just curious

You qualified it rather well, when I first saw the thread I was thinking there is no way of answering that question, but you said after the bevel is set, and a nice straight blade.... So yes I could answer that the same as Bart maybe 15-20 minutes to shaving, that includes stropping...



I also agree with Bart on doing a bevel analysis when I start, that gives me a really good idea of what to expect, I never think stroke counts or time limits on setting the bevel, it takes what it takes... If I am doing a few razors at a time and that bevel analysis tells me one is going to be a problem razor, I usually set it to the side, and continue with the other razors, then come back to that one last....

Bart: this might be an idea for a split off thread here too, on how to do a bevel analysis......

I consider myself a good honer based on a lot of razors many with problems. I have gotten a razor with a good bevel shaving sharp in one aggressive pyramid and I have worked on some for hours. Just depends.

Gosh! if it takes you guys that long to hone a razor, maybe you should send them out.

anywhere from 15 minutes to 15 weeks for me