Thread: so to learn to hone - basic setup

So i ordered a 40.00 straight razor that i could practrice honing on - my first question is - if the razor is sharp - other than using it a few times to dullen it -

could i backhone a while to take the edge off, then practice putting it back on?

So ive read several guides - all follow the same basic principle - i just need to "hone" my technique on honing hehehe pardon the pun.

Lay the blade flat - so the spine and edge are both touching - draw the razor edge first forming an X on the hone so to say. (easier to do than say lol)

keep the hone wet, etc etc - i guess after 20 or so strokes - check the edge to see if you have developed that wire edge everyone talks about.

Edit _ id like to come up and see ya lynn at some point hone a razor or two - once i get settled in - maybe a month or so? if you are ok with that - just to see your technique ! that would work wonders i bet!

If its too overhoned - backhone a couple times and start over...

finish on a finishing strop..

is that the basic gist of it?

I would venture to guess that even though it is a new razor right out of the box it will NOT be sharp enough to shave. I probaly sold 20-30 razors with my kits and not one was sharp enough before honed them.

What kind did you buy?

Tony

I get this one on Wednesday - its my nice one -

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...940/873572.htm



then i bought this one to practice honing

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...940/219362.htm


im hopin i can just get the singing one - sharp enough with my strops... hopefully it doesnt need honed - if so - i may be beggin lynn in a trip into medina

seems here tho people like the Thiers Issard better - So i guess after a bit im a get a TI -

That Bocote is one of the most beautiful razors sold these days IMO. What hone(s) will you use? Which strop?

X

Don't forget the Ouija board, tarot cards, crystals, and incense.

I bought this strop - for a finishing strop.

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...944/196032.htm



Then i bought the Norton Waterstone 3" 4000/8000 - but its outta stock so i wont have it for atleast 10 days Ray said.

I also bought a 4way paddle strop from Tony - for some pastes (using .5, .1, and a .3 micron - and maybe a .25 diamon paste)

Do any of you use a stone with a grit larger than 8000? or is that a good enough stone to learn to hone on?

thanks for the help!

Whats everyones favorite TI?

im thinking about getting this one next -

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...013/563937.htm

You have the right equipment. The best thing you can do is go over to Lynns for a hands on lesson. With your new razors there may be no need for the Norton stone for now. Use the abrasive pasted paddle strops to keen the edge of the new razors. Light even pressure, slow stroke , edge trailing just like in stropping. Use the 3 micron then the 1.0 followed by the 0.5.

I am no expert when it comes to new razors. So ask Tony, Lynn or David Uthe or? for some suggestions on how many roundtrip laps for each.

You might not have to start with the 3 micron. Probably the 1.0 micron paste will do it followed by the 0.5 paste. Try 20 laps on each paste, cleaning between each paste to avoid cross contamination, then finish with 35 laps on the plain leather strop. Then shave. Repeat if necessary.

Hope this helps,

so i read you can overhone - but is there such a thing as overstropping?

in other words can i do any damage to my razor by overstropping?

thanks again randy you are a big help