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  1. #1
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    Default milestones in the evolution of a wannabe honemiester

    just a little over 2 weeks ago I decided that I wanted to start shaving with a straight razor. I found an inexpensive one at a flea market (W&B), brought it home, honed it with an arkansas surgical black oilstone, stroped it on a piece of leather and attempted to shave with it after seeing how easy it shaved my arm.
    the first pass on my cheek was great, i told msyelf i knew why people liked to straight shave. Then I got to the tougher parts of my beard and it felt like someone was pulling all the hairs out by the roots. away goes the SR and out comes the mach 3.
    After that debacle, i went to the help files and found out that you should hone the razor until it is keen and passes the thumbnail test, then strop it until it passes the hanging hair test. it said " DO NOT SHAVE UNLESS IT PASSES THIS TEST". No kidding!
    SO I get a norton 4k/8k and a tony strop and go at it. I finally get to where the razor passes MY HHT after stropping. MY HHT involved holding a hair and wacking it with the razor like an ax.
    The shaves were much improved but the razor would dull before the shave was over. And I would have to use to much pressure in some areas.
    Researching this site I found Randydances posts regarding the HHT and that it should be done before stropping and be done SLOWLY. GEEZ, I was nowhere near that good.
    So I sat down wiht the norton and 2 of my razors and decided i would make one of them keener or hone them to nubs trying. I got a bit more agressive and started using a 2 hand touch on the razor to apply a bit of pressure and to keep the razor flat. I also started paying attention to the water on the hone and made sure that it was moving ahead of the blade so i knew that the edge was in contact with the hone.
    Eventually I finally was able to get the razor to pass MY HHT before stropping. My honing is still not perfect, but at least i am seeing incremental improvements! NExt step is getting it to pass the slow HHT before stropping.

  2. #2
    Senior Member marciaga's Avatar
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    Well, keep at it trapperjohnme, any honemeister will tell you, practice is key. And don't worry, everyone messes up at least one or two razors while learning...well at least I did!

  3. #3
    Senior Member robertlampo's Avatar
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    John, I had trouble at first getting the razor really sharp until I started using some pressure against the hone. Not a lot - a couple of pounds or so. Gradually I got down to just the weight of the razor. I also use two hands in order to keep the razor flat on the hone. Use your discretion about using pressure, depending on how sharp the razor is when starting to hone. Also, I really do buy Lynn's suggestion that less strokes are better. I overhoned the other day and my edge felt like a piece of paper because it was so thin. I had to back hone to get it back. You'll pick it up by practicing and being patient.

    I'm enjoying experimenting with the Norton and learning the craft of honing.

    -Rob

  4. #4
    Senior Member vladsch's Avatar
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    My first razor I took on the same attitude as you: "I'll make it shave sharp or hone it to a stub".

    Took a long time and all kinds of grips, efforts and pressure.

    Now I feel the honing more and don't need to apply pressure or use both hands. I actually feel more control using one hand and the X pattern on a 2" stone. Most blades do not lie flat on the hone. So you will either need extra pressure to bend them flat or a much better approach is to slightly roll the blade from heel to toe as you hone so that all parts of the edge get honed.

    It's all in the practice. It took three hours the first time. Then 30 minutes after a few months. Now a razor in decent shape takes 10 minutes and in bad shape takes about 20.

  5. #5
    Vlad the Impaler LX_Emergency's Avatar
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    Where do I get one of those stones in Europe?

  6. #6
    Senior Member superfly's Avatar
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    Hi LX,

    one of our members is from Holland too, his nick name is Theo, and his nick here is HoekmanX. You can PM him, and maybe he can help you about your questions... Since you are near Belgium, you can drive up there and get the best stone for honing razors, the Belgian Coticule.

    Also, check these links, the first one is in Netherlands
    http://www.shaving-and-razor-shop.com/
    http://www.belgischerbrocken.com
    https://www.toolshop.de
    http://www.dick.biz/
    http://www.knifeshop.com

    have fun,
    Nenad

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