using a barber hone

First off I would like to say thanks to Glen for getting a HonWell barber hone shipped to me lightnin' quick. Secondly, I would like to apologise because I am sure the info I seek is on this forum somewhere. I am using a mobile browser which makes searching rather tedious. Anyway, this hone is my first and tonight was my first attempt at honing. I did 5 passes with a Dovo that I got from SRD sometime back. Didn't cut arm hair, my hair is currently too short for a HHT, and I have no clue how to tell anything with a TPT. Lathered up, and shaved. It definitely shaved better than it did the last time I used it, it had been taken out of my rotation due to the edge needing a touch up, but 3 passes and some areas still are not up to snuff. No irritation, just not quite there. Since I am new to honing I could have done all sorts of things wrong. What should my next step be? How many passes can I do on this hone before it is too many?

Try 5 more, then shave. If not, try 5 more, then shave. Repeat as necessary.

May be helpful?

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

Neat video X!

That is a very interesting stroke.

Whenever I update on a barber hone I always find myself doing 10 to 15 passes.

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Neat video X!

That is a very interesting stroke.

Whenever I update on a barber hone I always find myself doing 10 to 15 passes.

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ty

I'm always conservative because I'd rather under do it than over do it, but 5 or 6 strokes does seem to be optimal for touch ups for me on this hone.

Yes, I found that interesting. Every barber hone I have recommends exactly that. I've always used quite a bit more. I also use regular bar soap as the glide medium because it is thinner.

It was also great to see that rolling x by the creator himself!

Depends on Barber hones. i have not seen any barber hones will say make it more then 10 stroke.
I have seen barber hones after 6 strokes brakes down the edge.
Lastly when to use barber hone.
Most barber hones are touch up hones (except 2 sided ones you can use as a sharpening stone). You use when you feel razor just start to Pull then make 2-6 strokes and move on.
hope this helps.
GL

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

It was also great to see that rolling x by the creator himself!

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I cannot take credit for that or the various terms used to describe it. It was around looooooong before I was.

I only popularised and coined the term 'fool's pass' ... obviously. :D

If you tell a very funny joke, you'll get to see the true "Rolling X"

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Most barber hones are touch up hones (except 2 sided ones you can use as a sharpening stone)

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Yes, I'm shaving quite well with a new Gold Monkey I honed on a two sided Keen Kutter barber hone. It required quite a few passes on the sharpening side, but it worked. Sharpening side, finishing side, CrO paddle, linen, leather. It can be done.

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

If you tell a very funny joke, you'll get to see the true "Rolling X"

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Bring over some BC 'gold' and you can see the same thing. :D

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Originally Posted by JeremyLee

How many passes can I do on this hone before it is too many?

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It really depends on your material that your dealing with in the razor. I use my swaty as a final finishing hone and a touch up hone. On my final finish I probably do ~ 20- 30 passes (I never count, just always flip).

I have had to revert to the DE as none of my straights are useable thanks to my attempts with a barber hone, and one dropped Wapi. Far as I can tell the stroke is ok; I don't know. Too bad I don't live near anyone who could give a little in-person criticism. And I don't have a video camera. I was gonna shell out for a set of hones, but second guessing that now. Thanks for all the help guys.

Oh, and i have been doing 5 strokes as per Holli4pirating's suggestion.

I often show people when they stop by some of my barber hones. The ones that are still in their original boxes with instructions all say to use about 5 strokes. I always thought this was pretty cool from a refreshing standpoint because for a refresh, that generally works very well. I'll try to take a pic of one.

Lynn