Thread: Defining Moment

Was wondering what the defining moment was and how many razors you went through for the experianced honer's to finaly achive a truley shave sharp edge. I have been at it for awhile and never get consistant good results and leave the hones frustrated. I find it very difficult to keep my razor steady and balanced on the hone, my away stroke is not as consistant as my toward stroke. Your thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated. Time for a beer. Cheers

Time for a beer here too, as my 11 day vacation just began.
As i started with my first razor (a Swede) it was already quite sharp. It belonged to my late grandfather. A method i used was to hone it - try shaving with it -hone it again until i finally got ok shave. Once you get there you know the difference. A difference between almost shave ready and shave ready razor.
Nowadays i use the skin on my thumb. Once it cuts cleanly - with no effort and almost like DE blade, then i know it is ok for shaving. Quite unorthodoxic but that works for me.

Hi Sailor, any idea how much trail an error on the the Naniwa 5k 8k 12k before you would have to reset the bevel? My test is the tree top test just trying to pop the tops of my arm hair.

I do not have Naniwas. I have some unnamed 1k japanese stome and i can cut my arm hair with that.

Even though the hanging hair test is seemingly not too well thought of, it was very important to me in learning to hone. I hone on the 12K, and then try the HHT. I am not interested in whether the hair is cut, but how much it vibrates while the razor drops into and out of the gaps between the scales (right term?) of the hair follicle. This gives me feedback on the blade, whether it is getting sharper (more vibration, finally ending in cut hair) or not.

If I didn't use the HHT, and only used the shave test, it would have taken much, much longer to learn. Using the HHT, while stropping for example, I don't have to go all the way to the shave test to see that I've overstropped and dulled the blade. When I see the vibration lessen, I know!

The feedback and learning curve greatly decreased using the HHT.

Now, the required proviso clause. Everyone's hair is different, yada, yada. This technique might be just what you need. It might be a worthless idea too.

The problem you are having with your stroke is normal until your muscles learn the stroke. Everyone has a different learning curve, however, it's like throwing a knife or shooting a bow. You need lots of practice & constant repetition of the right action.... & patience

Originally Posted by onimaru55

The problem you are having with your stroke is normal until your muscles learn the stroke. Everyone has a different learning curve, however, it's like throwing a knife or shooting a bow. You need lots of practice & constant repetition of the right action.... & patience

great advice. thank you

Originally Posted by wuff

Was wondering what the defining moment was and how many razors you went through for the experianced honer's to finaly achive a truley shave sharp edge. I have been at it for awhile and never get consistant good results and leave the hones frustrated. I find it very difficult to keep my razor steady and balanced on the hone, my away stroke is not as consistant as my toward stroke. Your thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated. Time for a beer. Cheers

After watching some videos, including this this