Thread: Clueless

I have been using a stainless 5/8 Dovo for quite a few years and have been getting great shaves using only a hanging strop. Lately the blade has not really been passing the HHT, but I have still been getting a very good shave. It occurs to me that honing is in order now, or soon will be. When I was given the razor, I purchased what the clerk at Chesapeake Knife & Tool Co. told me was the correct hone, an Arkansas surgical black oilstone. I have used this in the past couple of days to ruin two heirloom (well, really they were just old) razors that I haven't used in years. The destruction of the edges of those tools leads me to conclude that I don't have the right technique, don't have the right equipment or both. Your advice would be welcome, but be gentle. It's my first time.

I don't know that you can blame the hone. The black Arkansas, while not my favorite hone, is acceptable. Without seeing what kind of damage you're talking about when you say you "ruined" those blades, or exactly how you went about causing that damage. I'd think the two razors you think you ruined could be restored easily enough, but we probably should get more details about how you honed the razor., i.e. wet hone, dry hone, how much pressure, did you lay the razor flat on the hone? Did you hone edge leading or spine leading?

Stuff like that will help.... and pictures of the blades and damage would help, too.

I'm not familiar with the hones sold through Ches Knife Co. but haven't ever been too impressed with anything they sell. Their current hone is a gray Arkansas hone. I'd suggest learning how to hone with an actual razor hone. I'd be glad to sharpen one of the old heirlooms for you and I'd send your new razor, one of the old ones, or both to Lynn for sharpening. I'm amazed you've gone a year without needing to hone. Does that mean that you have pasted strops? I might suggest a pasted paddle strop from Tony Miller to maintain your edges if you don't have one. You'll get lots of ideas. There are so many options on honing its really too big for just one thread.

If it were me I'd buy a barber hone and sharpen up the edge since its still shaving well, probably a fine hone from Tilly (Redtrader99 on Ebay). I think some people feel the barber hones are hard to use, others also think the pasted strops are easy to use. If you have no honing experience the strops might be best.

Be patient if your trying to hone, it takes time on even the best hones.

<<I'm amazed you've gone a year without needing to hone.>>
Actually that razor I have been using since 1998! And I have only just been aware stropping (linen 30x leather 50x, no paste) alone isn't getting it done anymore. And still I get infant fundament smooth 7 days/week. Go figure.

Ruining may have been too strong! It would be correct to say that I took razors (Hoffritz 6/8 "High Class" from mid 1950s inherited from Grand dad who taught me how, Dovo carbon 5/8) that had a dullish edge and moved them firmly into the cudgel category . . . I was using the Arky surgical black with a light honing oil and led with the edge keeping flat as I was told to. So I am nonplussed at my singular lack of success.

How do I go about getting one of the oldies to Lynn? That seems to be a clever thing to do.

From my attempts to learn before asking directly, the consensus seems to be Norton 4K/8K is the way to go. Am I right?

Yea, I think since 1998 is impressive. Gives me a new optimism about straights, although I can't imagine not having something to hone for a few years. He goes by adjustme69 here and is rates are reasonable.

Originally Posted by Placidus

Actually that razor I have been using since 1998! And I have only just been aware stropping (linen 30x leather 50x, no paste) alone isn't getting it done anymore.

Originally Posted by Placidus

How do I go about getting one of the oldies to Lynn? That seems to be a clever thing to do.

Yup, it is. Just PM him. He's member adjustme69.

Originally Posted by Placidus

From my attempts to learn before asking directly, the consensus seems to be Norton 4K/8K is the way to go. Am I right?

Once again, right. The Norton is the identified, all 'round best stone to use, but special a nod must be given to the Belgian coticule based on how highly they're prised by their owners. For simply maintaining a razor in shave sharo shape, a pasted strop can be a beautiful thing.

X

I'm using the pasted strop very often. Its green paste (it has I guess around 8 k) does a good job and keeps the razors sharp (only if they pass the HHT they are admitted )

As already said: honing is a different thing. I started practising with very old Ebay straights. Now the results are getting better. I got the impression that you have to develop a certain "feeling". That needs time.

One of the problems with using the same straight like that is that the edge doesn't deteriorate all of a sudden it happens slowly and you don't realize how uncomfortable the shave starts to get. While I was doing the Grand Experiment I would occassionally use one of my other razors to gauge how the three I was using were deteriorating. It was only then that I realized the difference.