Thread: Newbie Questions

Originally Posted by PNO_NOR

1. I've read that soaking is not needed on the 8000 side of the stone. Should I just soak the 4000 side, and splash some on the 8000 side?

That'll work.

2. Does a DOVO strop like the one I've purchased need any prep before use? What conditioning do you recommend for this strop? What kind of conditioner?

Strop dressing is a good idea.

3. When I start to hone the razor for the first time what are your recommendations on a honing pattern. I've been reading about pyramids and find myself uncertain of any substantially accepted standard procedure.

Somebody is bound to give you a pyramid, so let me give you one warnning. Try not to make honing brainless. A little common sense goes a long way. And obviously you don't want to make a mountain out of a mole hill. So, don't approach a hone until you know what you're going to do and why. It's not likely your razor is shave ready, but it may be close. First very gently scrape your thub across the edge at either end and in the middle. If the thumb slides smoothly across your blade, it's dull and you can start your pyramid. It might need a lot more.

If the razor edge grabs your thumb, and especially if it moves a little with it, you have a good edge. Strop 30 round trips and shave. If it pulls even a little, go back to the 8K, and depending on the pull, do 5-10 round trips and strop. That should do it.

4. Do you guys let the back/spine hit the hone and get scratched or do you cover it with electrical tape as I've read. That one probably made some of you laugh, but I don't want to ruin the looks of the Razor, it was a gift from my girlfriend.

The only way you'll get the right bevel on the edge is to lie the razor flat with the spine and edge touching. The tiny flats on the spine are normal and are a guide to even honing. The time to use tape is when you're removing a lot of material, like taking out a chip. When you're ready to restore the edge, you take off the tape and if you hone evenly, the edge will line up parallel to the spine. Without the tape, both the edge and spine are changing and it becomes difficult to keep them parallel and even.

Originally Posted by Joe Lerch

Somebody is bound to give you a pyramid, so let me give you one warnning. Try not to make honing brainless. A little common sense goes a long way. And obviously you don't want to make a mountain out of a mole hill. So, don't approach a hone until you know what you're going to do and why. It's not likely your razor is shave ready, but it may be close. First very gently scrape your thub across the edge at either end and in the middle. If the thumb slides smoothly across your blade, it's dull and you can start your pyramid. It might need a lot more.

I'll confuse the heck out of you by agreeing with Joe here. I dont think I would start out on a newly purchased razor with the pyramid (unless the razor is a T.I. ) .

I'd start with a good careful stropping, and then shave a part of my face... if the shave sucks... then move to the 8K for a few passes on each side... and shave again.. if it sucks, then how much? If it really sucks it could need the 4K or you could need more practice at honing It's hard to say really... Just work at it slow and easy and dont jump into grinding away at a new razor.. "technically" your razor shouldnt need too much work.

With respect to honing your new razor I will agree with Joe Lerch on using a conservative approach. Use the thumbnail test, thumb test, hanging hair test and shave first. This will give you a very necessary basis for comparison.

The pyramid mentioned is for a razor that is really pulling at your whiskers a lot. Don't use it yet. Just go slow and easy, test frequently and notice the rate of change that occurs. Try a sequence of 3/5, 1/5, 1/5 test and repeat. Be aware that the most common mistake made is overhoning the edge. Its very easy to do.
Also be sure to give your face a chance to adapt to the str8 razor shave. Shaving everyday, initially, is not a good idea.

Hope this helps,

Thank you everyone for the great information. I still have yet to try anything. Maybe today after some rereading of stropping and honing technique. Thanks again all!

No hurry, we've had guys make 100 posts before even trying to shave...LOL

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

No hurry, we've had guys make 100 posts before even trying to shave...LOL

HEY THAT'S ME !