When did you decide to hone for others?

I have been honing my own razors lately ( I know I did not wait 6 months ) and have been happy with the results. I have received one shave ready razor ( not from ebay ) and find the ones I hone just as good and depending on the razor a little better than that one.

So my question is when did you decide you would start offering the service to hone for others and what prompted that decision? Also did you start by doing razors for others for free to make sure what you were doing worked for other hair besides your own?

This comes after spending the last week or 2 honing and my wife asking me if I was thinking of offering that service to others since it seemed to be almost a Zen type experience for me. I do not think I will anytime in the future but want to be able to help people in my area if needed.

While I haven't gone "Pro" with my honing I do offer to hone if asked, at this time I don't charge because I don't feel I have enough experience with honing other peoples blades. I know my edges work for me and I generally get them shave ready quickly (unless I'm goofing around).

Also I think I'm still trying to get my stone line up figured out. I'm not 100% happy with my lower grit stones and feel I need something better suited for razors. Not having the right equipment ends up taking longer on some areas and that cuts into the "Time = $$" calculation if your honing for dollars.

Ok lack of sleep is making me chatty...

Here is a thread you should read...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...nemeister.html


And any questions you might have after reading that mess... Please feel free to PM me...

Yeah, what Glen said. I still have the same feeling on the topic that I had in post # 8 in that thread and I still take my hat off to those that provide the service and are competent honers.

In my very limited experience, I can see one thing clearly..

All is well with a razor in which all is as it should be. The rub comes with a razor that has a deficiency or flaw, and that is where all the knowledge and experience comes into play.

I have razors that even I can hone... I see many that I would not even attempt with my limited experience.

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Originally Posted by BlacknTan

In my very limited experience, I can see one thing clearly..

All is well with a razor in which all is as it should be. The rub comes with a razor that has a deficiency or flaw, and that is where all the knowledge and experience comes into play.

I have razors that even I can hone... I see many that I would not even attempt with my limited experience.

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Those are the razors that really challenge you and are a great learning experience .... or a big frustration. :)

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

Here is a thread you should read...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...nemeister.html


And any questions you might have after reading that mess... Please feel free to PM me...

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Thanks for the link Glen.. that is exactly what I was looking for and somehow missed

and I completely agree with you Jimmy.. I turned one hobby into a career and regret it but if I keep going into a Zen like state when honing I may change my mind later down the road when I have more hones under my belt.

I've always been interested in get rich quick scheme and when I found out how I could make a killing honing I knew that was the path. Why just ask the guys who do it all the time and they'll tell you how they can now afford those fancy cars and vacation homes and some have even retired early.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I've always been interested in get rich quick scheme and when I found out how I could make a killing honing I knew that was the path. Why just ask the guys who do it all the time and they'll tell you how they can now afford those fancy cars and vacation homes and some have even retired early.

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You forgot about the queues of attractive women lining up outside your house... :)

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Originally Posted by Neil Miller

You forgot about the queues of attractive women lining up outside your house...

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Which hones are best for professional use? How long after starting the business does it take for the ladies to arrive?

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Originally Posted by welshwizard

Which hones are best for professional use?

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Doesn't matter, as long as they end in "i". Which still leaves you lots of choices: Thurri's, Coti's, Nani's, JNati's, Norti's... Just keep in mind that you'll never acquire true Honesheister status unless you (a) blend in with the Pro's (ie, forget grammar - especially correct plurals) and (b) gloss over blatant lack of experience with ghetto slang and lower class manners.

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Originally Posted by welshwizard

How long after starting the business does it take for the ladies to arrive?

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I have the distinct feeling that anyone looking for a quick buck from straight razors has less interest in ladies than in ... ah well, let's not go there...

Seriously, and in a nutshell: There is a limited number of people to whom I would entrust any of my razors. All of these people have several years of experience, and have honed thousands of razors - on all types of abrasive media. I am at a complete loss as to why anyone would want to charge for honing unless he has the proven ability to match the quality (read: consistent success rate across all types of razors) of these people's work.

I've been honing for a couple of years now and have honed for others when asked along with an occasional offer I have made to hone someone's glade for free when I have the time and the circumstances attract me. I did not want to charge people to hone while I was learning this craft, it's not my style. To each their own. Pro honing may be in my future but for now it's mostly when asked in person, by PM or at meets. Learning to home is a never ending journey and I have noticed that there significant revelations I have made as the number if razors I have honed increases. I now find myself going back to the first razors I honed and thought were good and re-honing them to my new standards.

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Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Doesn't matter, as long as they end in "i". Which still leaves you lots of choices: Thurri's, Coti's, Nani's, JNati's, Norti's... Just keep in mind that you'll never acquire true Honesheister status unless you (a) blend in with the Pro's (ie, forget grammar - especially correct plurals) and (b) gloss over blatant lack of experience with ghetto slang and lower class manners.

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Hey, you forgot Shapi's..! :D

Seriously though, Robin is absolutely right. There have been people in the past who've come in to the hobby with the sole aim of making a fast buck, and it doesnt work out simply because they dont have the skills to deliver.

And if you're charging someone for a service, you'd better be sure you can deliver the goods..! And then that person gets a reputation as someone who cant deliver, and the rest is history.

I hone my own razors and I'm very happy with the edges. I've also honed a couple of razors for other for free, but so far no pro work. Thats not to say its something I'd never do, but at the moment I'm the same as Joe. If someone asks, I'll do it, mais a part ca...

I also agree that I'm learning more and more as I try new things out and hone more razors. New stones, new techniques, different ideas that I read here. Its all part of the journey and its great fun..! :)

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Originally Posted by welshwizard

Which hones are best for professional use? How long after starting the business does it take for the ladies to arrive?

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Robin forgot the diamond-encrusted designer hones by the likes of Gucci and Fiorucci. It also helps if you set up shop near a disco on the outskirts of 'Frisco!

Apologies to sister Sledge...

I know what the date was and how long after I became a member, because that is easy to check. I think at the time I'd been honing for about a year and a half. Not sure how many razors I'd honed up till then. I made the decision because I was getting consistent results from my honing, and I had also gotten consistent positive feedback from people who's opinions I trusted. I have learned a lot since then, and I like to think I'm more consistent and that my edges are better, too.

In short, if you need to ask if you are ready, you're not. If you ask what hones to use, you're not.

Thank you all for the incite.

I am sure my wife will be able to beat off all those honing honeys that line up :mace:

When did you decide to hone for others?

After being able to hone my own razors, I was asked by some friends who got some razors if I wanted to try to hone those blades. After honing, I test shaved and the results were good and I sent them back to the original owners that got happy for my work.