Some thoughts on "Learning to Hone"

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Originally Posted by GeauxLSU

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

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+1

You are soooo right. I'd love to sit and drink a cold one with one of the "honemeisters" after looking over their shoulder & pick their brain...

I think the point of a "crap razor" is to learn how to hone , not to make it shave ready .. focusing on the basics like keeping the blade flat, the right pressure , X pattern, rolling on the spine and so and so forth ..
A noob can easily ruin a shave ready razor , so I say start off with a "crap razor " .. build confidence then move on

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Originally Posted by razormike

I think the point of a "crap razor" is to learn how to hone , not to make it shave ready .. focusing on the basics like keeping the blade flat, the right pressure , X pattern, rolling on the spine and so and so forth ..
A noob can easily ruin a shave ready razor , so I say start off with a "crap razor " .. build confidence then move on

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I think the term "crap razor" should be defined as a good quality razor with little or no collector value. If the steel won't take an edge or is very hard (stainless) you're wasting your time. If you can't shave with it, again you're wasting your time.

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Originally Posted by razormike

I think the point of a "crap razor" is to learn how to hone , not to make it shave ready .. focusing on the basics like keeping the blade flat, the right pressure , X pattern, rolling on the spine and so and so forth ..
A noob can easily ruin a shave ready razor , so I say start off with a "crap razor " .. build confidence then move on

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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....

Glen and Wayne are right.

I don't think you get useful feedback on the hones with a junk blade. In fact if it's a paki blade, the feedback you get could actually hinder your progress as you pick up bad habits for trying to adjust to unsolvable issues due to poor quality steel

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GeauxLSU

I think the term "crap razor" should be defined as a good quality razor with little or no collector value. If the steel won't take an edge or is very hard (stainless) you're wasting your time. If you can't shave with it, again you're wasting your time.

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I agree with this. Quality steel, relatively low value, and preferrably preset bevel is the ideal starter razor, IMO.

+1 on the quality steel. When learning to hone seeing some positive results is very encouraging while poor results bring frustration. At least if you're honing a decent Solingen , Sheffield or vintage USA you'll know that if you do your part you'll end up with a shaving sharp razor.

How can a newb ruin a quality razor if he is following instructions to the best of his understanding?

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Originally Posted by kevint

How can a newb ruin a quality razor if he is following instructions to the best of his understanding?

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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

My recommendation would be this:

(1) Ebay Solingen razor (or if you have more time, straight razor, and look at all the names off the "good razors" list + razors with Solingen on the tang)
(2) Find one with LOTS of clear pics
(3) Find one of those with no significant scale damage, no chips, little or no pitting/rust and plenty of life left (no massive hone-wear) for under $30 with solingen on the tang(surprisingly easy)
(4) Learn to hone.