Thread: Some thoughts on "Learning to Hone"

Ooooohhhhh, as a newbie, I know I'm in the right place. I have ordered a Norton kit coarse/1K + 4k/8k plus the DTW-8C diamond hone and have three inexpensive razors enroute to start my education. That is, after I view the videos for the third time!

Sorry guys, I can't justify the possibilities of ruining my only shave ready razor, a Boker that is also enroute. It's learn on the cheap stuff for me. I see these nice razors as works of art and am reticent to damage them in my learning quest.

Fellas, in the south we say: "Ya gotta dance with whut brung ya." .....and here I am.

You can do it...

As a honing newbie....

+1 On learning maintenance first - stropping and barber hone

Prevention is better than the cure and the practice can prepare you for honing (if that takes your interest).


+1 on shaving practice first
- really helps me to know if my sharpening is improving. Since I can get a decent shave, I can now notice differences in the sharpness of the blade.

i.e. I don't have to blame my shaving technique now, I can blame my blade (ok and maybe my honing...)

+1 on patience / persistence
-With patience / persistence, I feel I'm finally making progress with my honing - I can feel it in my shave.
I still need to get the blade sharper, but I can tell the difference because of the first two points above.
I don't think I'd be doing as well if I attempted honing earlier on... but of course this may vary from person to person.

Edit: One more thing - I think I felt a similar sense of trepidation when first putting the blade on a hone as I did putting the blade on my face. (In fact still can do if I spend too long thinking about it). You have to start somewhere.

Thanks for this thread,
All the best,
Michael.

Originally Posted by flylot

Ooooohhhhh, as a newbie, I know I'm in the right place. I have ordered a Norton kit coarse/1K + 4k/8k plus the DTW-8C diamond hone and have three inexpensive razors enroute to start my education. That is, after I view the videos for the third time!

Sorry guys, I can't justify the possibilities of ruining my only shave ready razor, a Boker that is also enroute. It's learn on the cheap stuff for me. I see these nice razors as works of art and am reticent to damage them in my learning quest.

Fellas, in the south we say: "Ya gotta dance with whut brung ya." .....and here I am.

Welcome to SRP. Obviously you've done some homework and IMO you're on the right track.

Flylot,

First, nice setup.

Second, What are the "cheap razors" that you purchased? I only ask because depending on the razor, you could get frustrated very quickly....

Originally Posted by flylot

Ooooohhhhh, as a newbie, I know I'm in the right place. I have ordered a Norton kit coarse/1K + 4k/8k plus the DTW-8C diamond hone and have three inexpensive razors enroute to start my education. That is, after I view the videos for the third time!

Sorry guys, I can't justify the possibilities of ruining my only shave ready razor, a Boker that is also enroute. It's learn on the cheap stuff for me. I see these nice razors as works of art and am reticent to damage them in my learning quest.

Fellas, in the south we say: "Ya gotta dance with whut brung ya." .....and here I am.

I've been trying to hone my own razors with varying degrees of success for almost a year now. Even though it is starting to come together and I can get some fantastic edges on some of my razors I can honestly say I am still learning to hone.

I can't help but think how much quicker it would have been if I didn't insist on doing things the hard way.

Originally Posted by ndw76

I've been trying to hone my own razors with varying degrees of success for almost a year now. Even though it is starting to come together and I can get some fantastic edges on some of my razors I can honestly say I am still learning to hone.

I can't help but think how much quicker it would have been if I didn't insist on doing things the hard way.

Been honing mine for almost two years and I'm still learning. Been tattooing twenty years and still learning with that too. Makes life interesting.

Slartibartfast,

I have three razors to practice with:

Oxford (German) 6/8 which has a bit of a frown at the heel and a bit of a smile at the toe (oh, this one should be fun!)

"Your Choice" (no origin-probably the least valuable) 5/8 in good shape but not shave ready.

Hamburg Ring 6/8 (German) good condition but not shave ready.

Would love your feedback on these.

Regards,

Oh, I forgot. I have a jpeg of the Oxford that will show all its flaws that I can po(If I can figure how to) so that I can get suggestions on how to properly hone this ugly boy.

Regards

Originally Posted by flylot

Oh, I forgot. I have a jpeg of the Oxford that will show all its flaws that I can po(If I can figure how to) so that I can get suggestions on how to properly hone this ugly boy.

Regards

After you press reply and the text box comes up scroll down below it and you will see a tab for 'manage attachments'. You can upload the photo from your files, just follow the prompts.

I have seen 'Oxford" marked razors but haven't owned one. Various makers used Hamburg Ring on their blades. I have one and it is a honey of a shaver. If it was me I would leave the blade with the frown for last.