Thread: Some thoughts on "Learning to Hone"

"Get some Crap Razors and learn to hone"

My new mission:
Every time somebody says this, I have to ask why??? why would we as experienced people keep telling newbs "Get some crap razors to practice honing on" When anyone who hones razors know for a fact the easiest razors to hone are the ones that are either New/NOS, or that are just beginning to dull out...

The single toughest thing for a Newbie honer to learn, is how to set a bevel, so we tell them get a crap razor that not only needs the bevel set, but most likely needs real bevel work done...

The easiest way to learn to hone is this buy your first "shave ready" razor, then when it starts to go dull buy your second "shave ready" razor...
Now you have the perfect learning tools in your hands, a razor that has a bevel set and just needs to be re-touched and a benchmark razor to compare your work too...You also have some shaves and stropping under your belt so you can really tell if your honing is doing anything...

The only argument that I can think of to this scenario is COST and I never said NEW shave ready razors...

Edit: I guess you could say they have to learn sometime to set a bevel, but wouldn't that be easier too, after they had learned a bit about honing and what sharp feels like when you are honing up to it?????

This to me is almost like teaching a kid to swim by tossing them in the deep end....

Just something I have been mulling on for awhile and my humble opinion...

What are your thoughts?????

I agree completely with you, Glen about the throwing them into the deep end analogy. "Learn to hone on some crap razors" is giving them the most challenging and therefore often the most frustrating task right away.

One thing to be said for it though, when someone learns to effectively set a bevel, the rest is easy in comparison. What's better, then? Learning the hardest thing first or learning the hardest thing later? I think it depends on the person. Someone who is easily frustrated will all too often grab a crap razor, never set a proper bevel and throw in the towel. Others stick through the process of tearing out some hair, throwing a few razors against the wall tomahawk style and come through the other side proficient at honing their own razors.

Chris L

Chris great minds think alike I must have been typing my edit as you were typing your post....

I started on pretty good razors.At the very beginning I read plenty of SRP post, watched several videos about honing and honed Edwin Jagger, later bismarck- fially good result archived. 2 days ago arrived my new fili, with damned shajing hands I did it and bingo.My conclusion if you follow few simply instructions all will go fine.Important is not to start with the rubbish- that's a task for people like Lynn, not for beginners.

I think it's better to tell people to learn on an inexpensive razor, or one without any sentimental value. "Crap" is a pretty relative term and could suggest that there are already major problems with the steel.

I got a razor to learn how to hone on. It was a few bucks in an auction lot and was a J.F. Ganley "Ganley's Gula", made in Detroit. The edge was straight but dull, so I used it to practice honing from the bevel to polish. I did scrape some of it on the hone when I started, which is why I'm glad I didn't use a restored/heirloom razor. The scrapes came from me trying to figure out how to hold my arms and hands and how to flip the razor and all.

So I agree with you entirely, Glen. The quality and condition of the steel should be good and not crap. Something inexpensive would be good -- there are lots of off-brand American razors that are cheap and give great shaves. I love my Ganley and my Kinfolks, and I paid less than $20 total for both.

Originally Posted by commiecat

So I agree with you entirely, Glen. The quality and condition of the steel should be good and not crap. Something inexpensive would be good -- there are lots of off-brand American razors that are cheap and give great shaves. I love my Ganley and my Kinfolks, and I paid less than $20 total for both.

Hmmmm another thought:

Maybe say start with a Full hollow grind straight edge razor in good to great condition?????

These are the easiest....

Thank you sir for another great thought on this....

I think part of the reason people recommend a not so great razor to start with is because of posts that start out something like....

My brand new $200.00 razor wasn't shaving as well as it did when I bought it, so I got out my knife hone and gave it 500 laps and it's still not shaving well. Is there something wrong with the steel this razor is made of?

Maybe that was a little dramatic but there are times when you read an experienced hone jockey say something like.... STOP!!! Send me that razor, I'll work on it for free. For the LOVE OF GOD, please just stop. OK, I'll PAY YOU to send me the razor.

OK, maybe that was a little dramatic again. The razor doesn't have to cost a lot. It's about someone possibly damaging something nice. That makes many cringe.

OMG you are sooooooo Dramatic who would ever say something like that?????

http://straightrazorpalace.com/478533-post5.html

Originally Posted by gssixgun

OMG you are sooooooo Dramatic who would ever say something like that?????

http://straightrazorpalace.com/478533-post5.html

I don't know.

I don't hone yet, but logic would dictate that you are correct. If you learn on a cheap paki razor that are known to not take/hold edges or give bad shaves. How would you ever know if what you are doing is right or wrong. You'd get the same bad test shave even if you did well.