Thread: Barber says no!

Just because someone is a "professional" doesn't mean they are experts at giving advice. If I had a quarter for every time an auto mechanic gave me auto advice that was dead wrong I'd have a lot of quarters.

Thats true.
Only the results count.

My barber was arrested last week for selling Meth, therefore I am not going to take his advice on anything...and I'm looking for a new barber!

Joe

I've not really experimented with this method, but I will say that you can get a ton of different shaving edges that will in fact shave your face. Especially other people's faces We've heard a couple stories here of uncomfortable barber shaves.

Anyway, I don't doubt that using this method he can get it sharp enough to shave someone, but I'm a little skeptical whether or not it's the sharpest edge and most comfortable shave it could be (vs other honing methods).

Originally Posted by pjrage

Especially other people's faces We've heard a couple stories here of uncomfortable barber shaves.

Ok now that was funny, "Other peoples faces" HA !!!!!

Originally Posted by prhomme

So my barber used to do professional shaves in Italy...for over 20 years. I was asking him about honing, since I can't seem to get it right.

First of all, he said never hone leading with the cutting edge of the blade. He couldn't believe I was doing an x pattern with the sharp edge in front. He hones with the cutting edge trailing. Second, he said to never place the razor flat on the stone. He hones his razor with the spine lifted up slightly, at some random angle.

That makes me wonder - what would the difference be in leading or trailing the cutting edge? I've seen it written that you back hone when the blade is overhoned, by why not do it all the time?

Rather than focus on the "never say never" bit, lets look at what happens when trailing or leading the blade over the stone. For the record, though, I think it is a matter of personal preference, unless you are doing something technically wrong, and in that case, it really doesn't matter at all!

****This observation is for using a hand held barber's hone only****

If you trail the blade, I think the pressure, however great or slight, will be focused on the spine of the blade, making the trailing edge run across the stone more lightly. That has it obvious advantages at higher grits, but for doing shaping or repair work, it would be slower. This method could also backfire by inadvertently raising the edge off of the stone as you make passes. There is also the argument out there that trailing the blade pulls the burr forward, helping it to remain "straighter".

By leading the blade, you put more pressure on the edge of the blade, which better ensures the edge comes into contact, and remains in contact with the stone. The biggest sharpening threat is rolling the blade by inadvertently raising the spine off the stone. Personally, I think leading helps to "clear out" the burr because it gets caught in the hollow ground area of the blade as it comes loose, rather than pulling it out from underneath.

On a safety thought, trailing the blade is safer because you are never moving the blade towards your body - especially your fingers.
This is probably the best and biggest argument in favor of trailing, not so much the technical or analytical reasoning. You don't want a shave from a bloody barber, or one with only 8 1/2 fingers.

Of course there is lots of room for argument over personal techniques sharpening, and I do still have 10 fingers (and 10 toes).

Atleast we know why all those barbers strop with so much sag that the strop hangs down to their knees. They've been honing with the spine up in the air!

Originally Posted by jendeindustries

Rather than focus on the "never say never" bit, lets look at what happens when trailing or leading the blade over the stone. For the record, though, I think it is a matter of personal preference, unless you are doing something technically wrong, and in that case, it really doesn't matter at all!

****This observation is for using a hand held barber's hone only****

If you trail the blade, I think the pressure, however great or slight, will be focused on the spine of the blade, making the trailing edge run across the stone more lightly. That has it obvious advantages at higher grits, but for doing shaping or repair work, it would be slower. This method could also backfire by inadvertently raising the edge off of the stone as you make passes. There is also the argument out there that trailing the blade pulls the burr forward, helping it to remain "straighter".

By leading the blade, you put more pressure on the edge of the blade, which better ensures the edge comes into contact, and remains in contact with the stone. The biggest sharpening threat is rolling the blade by inadvertently raising the spine off the stone. Personally, I think leading helps to "clear out" the burr because it gets caught in the hollow ground area of the blade as it comes loose, rather than pulling it out from underneath.

On a safety thought, trailing the blade is safer because you are never moving the blade towards your body - especially your fingers.
This is probably the best and biggest argument in favor of trailing, not so much the technical or analytical reasoning. You don't want a shave from a bloody barber, or one with only 8 1/2 fingers.

Of course there is lots of room for argument over personal techniques sharpening, and I do still have 10 fingers (and 10 toes).

What is this "burr" you keep mentioning?????

I have never ever raised a burr on a razor unless I was intentionally using heavy pressure and circles or Japanese strokes to bring a warped wedge into line....
And I got rid of it using backhoning then went back to edge forward...

Keep in mind were talking maybe 10 times out of all the razors I have honed

A wire edge?

Barbers are no different than us folks. Think about how many of us use different techniques and different stones, etc. I have talked to many barbers who do things different ways too and still come up with a result that works for them. Ain't it a bootiful ting!!!!!



Lynn