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It's Just a Rock!!!
Fellas, kudos to AFD. He enlightened me about the ~2-3 pounds of pressure to use on the Norton and then to graduate down to none. I honed, stropped, and shaved with a razor that needed conservative honing for the first time. The shave was awesome!
To the new guys: don't fear the hone!!!!! Just jump in and follow the pyramid model and honing posts. I used nothing other than the resources here on SRP. It took a few times to finally get my razor to give me probably the best shave I ever had. I think that some guys (almost me) psych themselves out by reading the horror stories about honing. Mind you, I'm not saying I'm a true honemeister - not close. I'm saying that with some knowledge and patience (and enjoyment, of course) you can get a razor sharp enough to get a great shave. I still have a lot to learn but the confidence is there.
DON'T FEAR THE HONE - IT'S A DAMN ROCK, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD!!! I don't think the world order will be affected if you don't get it the first time. Besides, I think Lynn probably needs a break from us guys at SRP!!
-Rob
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Your welcome. Its a pleasure to help anyone else out here I can. I'm only repaying a debt to other members, who did the same for me.
But don't let it get out that my techniques gave you the best shave ever, next thing you know, someone will start reading my posts . . . LOL
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Rob,
Good deal dude. Honing will have to be my next big step.
Why is it that I laid the razor against my face for the
first time without hesitation, but honing is somehow
intimidating? :shrug:
Glad that you were successful.
Terry
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Like Robert said its a DAMN ROCK. I started on the hone before I even made a trip to my face. Love those Eboy razors. I was pretty much determined to sharpen them my self or not shave. I did contumplate sending to Lynn but after all my expenditures I didn't have the funds. But since all this happened I think it sped my learning curve to high. I have been shaving now for several weeks with no major problems. Had to talk to Lynn about one razor, turns out it was a wedge(and it still isn't sharp). But other than that I have another 4 razors to play with so I'm not hurting. I know they are not as sharp as Lynn can get them but he has been honing for 10yrs and shaving for like 30 I think he told me. But the point is DON'T BE SCARED of that stupid rock. It's like a computer it only does what you tell it, and if your technique is off a bit you have to compensate to get the right answer out of that hone. Just have fun don't worry, you will get it eventually. If you can't shave you will get it faster as I did. Mine are still not as good as it gets but descent.
Keaton
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Keaton,
You are so right. On the classicshaving web site is the
How to and Why link. It talks about the looog learning
curve for learning to use a straight. Chris Moss's shaving
guide mentions that it takes months to learn to shave.
If I would have taken this to heart I would never have
even picked up a straight razor.
I'm glad I said to hell with it, if others can do it so can
I. It was way easier shaving than I ever imagined.
The next item I need to order is a Norton 4k/8k and get
a couple of razors to practice on.
I have taken the step already of getting a two sided paddle
strop from Tony. One side has .5 and the other 1.0
As of yet I have not needed to use them, but when the day
comes when I do. " if others can do it, so can I ".
Thanks, your words were what I needed. Its only a damned rock. :D
Terry
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And it is getting easier as you go. My razors are getting sharper and I am getting better shaves all the time. I guess that is helped by the fact I got my lithide hone flat enough to use. Had to flip that damn rock over and start lapping the other side. I keep getting eboy razors so I am getting lots of practice. The one I am working on now is my second "Artist" levering co. and it is giveing me fits. I think that the spine is just uneven enough so the heel and toe don't get a good edge but the belly is. But that is another story. Little things you run into. But hey gives me something to practice on. As you practice you get better. So practice practice practice and when you're done with that practice some more.
Keaton
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#2
Not to be cocky or anything, but I just honed another razor last night and had a great shave with it this morning. I did overhone it at first and then backhoned it a few times and then used less pressure and less passes on the Norton. It feels good to hone my own razor and enjoy a nice, comfortable shave.
Maybe I'm just a lucky SOB :shrug: . Hell, even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while! Only time will tell.
The hone is your friend - embrace it!
-Rob
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Robert,
Yes it does feel good to hone your own razor. And the thing about it is you can sharpen it to your likeing. Sharper duller as you please and you will find that sweet spot where you get a good shave and have no irritation for your skin and beard.
Keaton
