Thread: Ray-man hone experience.

I sent my razor to Ray-man after he posted offering his honing services in return for feedback in the forums on how well he did.

I am not sure what his handle is on this forum, I saw his post for honing over on another site. If anyone knows let me know and I'll edit this post with the correct name over here at SRP.

I decided I would post my opinion whether it was going to be positive or not as he requested. I also decided I wouldn’t let gratitude cloud my response, since if I got back a truly crappy shaving razor it wouldn’t be fair to other people to send theirs either.

So here’s my opinion:

My C-Mon arrived in the box well oiled and wrapped. I sent mine in a blade coffin I picked up at classicshaving.com. It arrived in a padded envelop. He received the razor on Thursday 9-17 and I received it today 9-21. Remember the weekend delayed it at least one day. I thought it was a pretty fast turn around time.

I wiped the oil from the steel and set about performing the usual tests for sharpness. I pilfered a long, red hair from my wife’s sink and laid it across the edge. It cleaved in two with no effort. I did this three more times and all with the same result. Same with the arm hair test. The thin hairs in the crook of my elbow are the ones I use to give a real test. Same result, they are chopped off to just stumps. Placing the pad of my thumb aside the edge I felt the keenness of the blade.

Ok, Scott, tests are all fine and good, but who cares? How does it shave Dave? Does it slice, Brice? How does it mow, Joe?

It shaves great and slices smoothly and mows down whiskers like no bodies business. 

The shave this morning was fantastic. Seriously, it was really great. The C-Mon cut effortlessly. I don’t know what he finishes with, but the edge is smooth as silk. I was loving the shave.

Across the grain, against the grain. It didn’t matter, the razor just sliced right through like a light saber.

I have what I, and others, consider a thick and tough beard. Not tough like the Punjabi store clerk down the street with thick black hairs that look about 10mm thick each. But, its nothing to sneeze at either.

I am fairly new to straight shaving with only about a month of continuous use. This was the first shave I’ve completed that I didn’t need to touch up with my DE. I’m smooth and irritation free.

Would I recommend Ray-man’s honing services to anyone? You bet and I will be using him in the future and will gladly pay for his services.

Thanks Ray-man.

I had the very same experance with rayman I send him 3 razors and the turnaround was just about 4 day one of the razors I sent him was a DA and it has become one of if not my favorite razor so again I will say thank you ray

Originally Posted by joscobo

I sent my razor to Ray-man after he posted offering his honing services in return for feedback in the forums on how well he did.

I am not sure what his handle is on this forum, I saw his post for honing over on another site. If anyone knows let me know and I'll edit this post with the correct name over here at SRP.

I decided I would post my opinion whether it was going to be positive or not as he requested. I also decided I wouldn’t let gratitude cloud my response, since if I got back a truly crappy shaving razor it wouldn’t be fair to other people to send theirs either.

So here’s my opinion:

My C-Mon arrived in the box well oiled and wrapped. I sent mine in a blade coffin I picked up at classicshaving.com. It arrived in a padded envelop. He received the razor on Thursday 9-17 and I received it today 9-21. Remember the weekend delayed it at least one day. I thought it was a pretty fast turn around time.

I wiped the oil from the steel and set about performing the usual tests for sharpness. I pilfered a long, red hair from my wife’s sink and laid it across the edge. It cleaved in two with no effort. I did this three more times and all with the same result. Same with the arm hair test. The thin hairs in the crook of my elbow are the ones I use to give a real test. Same result, they are chopped off to just stumps. Placing the pad of my thumb aside the edge I felt the keenness of the blade.

Ok, Scott, tests are all fine and good, but who cares? How does it shave Dave? Does it slice, Brice? How does it mow, Joe?

It shaves great and slices smoothly and mows down whiskers like no bodies business. 

The shave this morning was fantastic. Seriously, it was really great. The C-Mon cut effortlessly. I don’t know what he finishes with, but the edge is smooth as silk. I was loving the shave.

Across the grain, against the grain. It didn’t matter, the razor just sliced right through like a light saber.

I have what I, and others, consider a thick and tough beard. Not tough like the Punjabi store clerk down the street with thick black hairs that look about 10mm thick each. But, its nothing to sneeze at either.

I am fairly new to straight shaving with only about a month of continuous use. This was the first shave I’ve completed that I didn’t need to touch up with my DE. I’m smooth and irritation free.

Would I recommend Ray-man’s honing services to anyone? You bet and I will be using him in the future and will gladly pay for his services.

Thanks Ray-man.

Just for other's that might be reading this thread, testing a freshly honed razor should be reserved for the shave test, doing other tests that the person that honed the razor already did, is a good way to mess up an edge... Obviously Joscobo was very, very, gentle on these tests, as he still got a good shave but for others out there I would advise just shaving with it first....

i was thinking the same tihing tpt could even dull edge slightly i never perform tpt after last stages of honing may be hht no harm

Your dead right Gary, Those tests were designed for people who hone razors and even then they are subjective, you have to develop your own as you progress though honing...

Rayman did you get shaptons? what hones are you using Gary

Just an observation on those that hone razors for people. If you've had much experience honing you'll know that on many of the razors if they got paid minimum wage by the hour the honing would end up costing way more than the razor did.

I would say that for the honemeisters it is a labor of love rather than about making a buck. +1 on Glen's point about the tests. Shave with it and don't worry about HHT or any of that stuff.

i agree me and a mate of mine were just saying for what honmeisters charge its hard work or can be and there not much money in it especialy if your restoring as well, i hone for my self but have honed for other people as a favour and i enjoy it as its a great hobby.

I have sent three of my razors to Rayman. He was fast and the work was outstanding. The wiskers just fall out thinking about the shave to come. He keep me informed as to were my razors were and when he had them in the mail for the return trip. He has even called to ask me how I am doing with them. Use him he is a good man.

Actually just had the pleasure of speaking to Ray last night. He went out of his way to address my newbie questions regarding blade maintenance. He made sure that i was taking care of my blades properly, and stropping properly. After speaking with him i have no regrets sending my blades to him. Hes working on 4 of mine right now.

Thanks ray