Thread: My first attemp at honing

I'd like to start by saying thank you to Alraz for taking some time out of his day to supervise and show me the basics of honing.

Yesterday I drove up and met with Alraz I brought with me a set of nortons, a nanawi 12k, the SRD paddle strop with daimond on felt and a smooth leather, a Dovo that just needed a touch up, a John Curtin damacus that needed to go from bevel to finish and two other razors that I just brought to show him.

We started with the Dovo, I'm not positive on how we did since I did today's test with the John Curtin.

Alraz you where right that thing shaves like a dream, I don't know if it's the damacus of just that Mr. Curtin knows how to make a razor but it looks like it might be competing for favorite.

So I would call first attempt a sucess or at least a half sucess, full test shave of the Dovo to follow.

Thanks again Alraz and everyone on the forums whose honing threads I've been reading to prep.

That is really cool. A forum member who is not around anymore, TheTopher, lived near me and graciously allowed me to visit repeatedly. He showed me his honing techniques and I learned methods I would probably never have figured out for myself or picked up from tutorials and videos. Nuances of pressure, strokes and like that. You're lucky to have the hands on instruction. Best of luck with your honing.

I really enjoyed meeting you and I think that we got a lot done too. I have to thank you for allowing me to test your naniwa 12k and your new paddle strop as well.

This was my first time helping somebody how to hone so I was a bit nervous not knowing what sort of razors you were going to show up with. It turned out not to be a problem since one was a new razor and the other had been well cleaned and had no other problems. As I told you, your razors were textbook razors to learn the craft. Those that choose to learn honing using razors with excessive hone wear, uneven spine or edge, dubious manufacturers, etc. are in for a harder time than it is needed or desired at that stage.

Obviously, I cannot take credit for the success for 2 reasons: 1) the razors made it easier on me; and 2) you did most of the work. The key is to keep a consistent stroke and to use a light touch. Do not be afraid to use your non dominant hand to keep the razor flat (only), only after you master that stroke, would I venture to go single handed. "Water, water every where", that is very important also.

Finally, you do not need a microscope to determine whether your razor is sharp. Use the 4 tests we covered: arm hair, thumb pad, hanging hair and shave, and you would always know how you are doing. Setting a good bevel is the most important part, circles baby!!!! Do not be afraid, you can always go back to the hones or send it out.

I particularly enjoyed the lather making workshop ;-). Now you know how to make the brush hang from the upside down bowl.

Confident stropping starts with the hight of the strop and a good spine flip, speed will follow. Remember rat tat tat tat with the spoons to tighten those scales, that would make your stropping much easier.

Thank you for the opportunity.

Al raz.

Originally Posted by errnest

I'd like to start by saying thank you to Alraz for taking some time out of his day to supervise and show me the basics of honing.

Yesterday I drove up and met with Alraz I brought with me a set of nortons, a nanawi 12k, the SRD paddle strop with daimond on felt and a smooth leather, a Dovo that just needed a touch up, a John Curtin damacus that needed to go from bevel to finish and two other razors that I just brought to show him.

We started with the Dovo, I'm not positive on how we did since I did today's test with the John Curtin.

Alraz you where right that thing shaves like a dream, I don't know if it's the damacus of just that Mr. Curtin knows how to make a razor but it looks like it might be competing for favorite.

So I would call first attempt a sucess or at least a half sucess, full test shave of the Dovo to follow.

Thanks again Alraz and everyone on the forums whose honing threads I've been reading to prep.