Some thoughts on "Learning to Hone"

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

My point excatly...

How do you know???
If you have no discernible objective, You have no goal, nor any way of reaching it... Basically you are just wearing out your stones here....In fact a worse case scenario leaves you with bad habits that now need to be broken....

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Huge +1 here. Honing without even being able to attain your goal is beyond a waste of time. It's counter productive, IMHO

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Originally Posted by shooter1

Pretty easily based on allot of the post I've seen... such as this one example from Lynn.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...tml#post299684

Now granted, the razors may not be "ruined" as they will be able to shave again, but it probably falls out of the "quality razor" category when it no longer has the desirable traits one looks for such as even spine wear and a nice even and crisp bevel line.

GeauxLSU said it very well... "I found that one can read and watch all of the videos you want, but until you hone a razor it's all academic."

And if your "understanding" is wrong... the outcome will follow suit. This is not to say you won't learn something from the experience, but the point is there is a cost. And the cost has, on more than one occasion, been a "quality razor" turned into a spine flattened shaver.

Regarding "understanding", or more appropriately misunderstanding, this link provides some keen insight into how easily something that seems so simple to understand can be to execute without one on one instruction. http://straightrazorpalace.com/newbi...important.html

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Thanks for your reply Steve. I wanted to say say "best of one's ability. I went with "understanding" Something that may never be fully realized: complete understanding; but we get the hang of it.

Ruined; I have read that many times. I think it is a word that could cause excessive worry and pensiveness. With mindless and massive abrasion it may actually be possible to ruin a razor, but I think it would be highly unlikely with someone trying to do a good job. There are simply too many resources on board to see that happen regularly.

First timers should use tape I think and that should solve any concerns.

After reading on the 'stropping is king' thread', it all finally fell into place.

Set the bevel - hone lightly on 1k until it passes Thumbnail test (TNT)
(TNT - where blade starts to dig into nail when dragged over it)

Don't do anything else until you've set the bevel!!
Don't do anything else until you've set the bevel!!
Don't do anything else until you've set the bevel!!

Pyramid (or whatever you use) - did mine on Naniwa 3k / 5k until passing thumbpad test.

(I then used barber hone for around 10 strokes)

Strop, Strop, Strop, Strop, Strop, Strop - this really got me there.

At all stages I kept the strokes as light as possible.

Someone posted somewhere about the first 5% (set the bevel) and last 5% (stropping) - this is so true.

Anyway - I'm a bit excited because I've finally got it!:)

All the best,
Michael (who has finally made his razor shave ready).

FTG - Glad to hear you've got it working!:tu

I really like the bold emphasis in your post. I'm thinking of printing it and hanging it over the workbench. It may be the best set of honing instructions I've read. Concise and to the point... just my style. :)

Disclaimer to my post above! I'm a honing newbie! Sharing my experience on this blade.

Experienced honesters may overide my directions if needed - but something I did worked for me :)

Of course this was only my first honing success on first blade
- next blade may be far more challenging (depending on condition of blade when I start).

Also helpful to have another properly shave ready razor to compare to.

All the best,
Michael.

Michael, congrats on getting it to pass the HHT. Now please update and let us know how it shaves.

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Originally Posted by FTG

Set the bevel - hone lightly on 1k until it passes Thumbnail test (TNT)
(TNT - where blade starts to dig into nail when dragged over it)

Don't do anything else until you've set the bevel!!
Don't do anything else until you've set the bevel!!
Don't do anything else until you've set the bevel!!

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No changes, I think that about sums up honing :)

I dislike the thumbnail test. It has the same effect on me as someone putting their nails on a chalkboard (but not dragging them down). I just sweep it about a mm above my arm. If it snags some hairs and cuts them off, it's got a workable bevel.

HHT is funny when it works. It's all about angle. When I pass it, I can cut a 3" hair to nothing in twenty swipes without hesitation. Put that same razor down, pick it up again and It will just push the hair out of the way, as if it's mocking me. I just can not reliably get the angle right.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Michael, congrats on getting it to pass the HHT. Now please update and let us know how it shaves.

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Thanks Jimmy,

The shave!
Before I did the final stropping, stropping, stropping, stropping...
the blade would pull on the chin hairs.

After I got it to HHT sharp, the blade would cut through the hairs like it was softly brushing hair.... if that makes sense!!

It feels nice - but I'm going to see if more light stropping will improve it more. I'm aiming for hot knife through butter smooth - don't know if stroppng will get me there, but I don't mind - it's miles ahead of what I used to be happy with!

Life before the straight razor
- before getting into straights I'd happily shave with a cheap disposable long after it had got dull. But shaving with a really sharp straight - well, it's miles ahead!!!

Thanks again for the feedback - after reading all the advice and the how-tos, it's nice that honing a blade to shave ready really can come true!!!

All the best,
Michael.

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Originally Posted by IanS

I dislike the thumbnail test. It has the same effect on me as someone putting their nails on a chalkboard (but not dragging them down). I just sweep it about a mm above my arm. If it snags some hairs and cuts them off, it's got a workable bevel.

HHT is funny when it works. It's all about angle. When I pass it, I can cut a 3" hair to nothing in twenty swipes without hesitation. Put that same razor down, pick it up again and It will just push the hair out of the way, as if it's mocking me. I just can not reliably get the angle right.

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I felt simlarly to TNT and TPT - didn't really like it and wasn't sure I was doing it right. But then again, felt the same way putting a blade against my face when I started shaving.

(These days I think I'd feel more uneasy putting a disposable near my face than I would a straight!:))

All the best,
Michael.