Thread: Long time reader, First time honer

Hi, VTyler. You came to the right place. Here's my 2¢:

Microscope is unnecessary, but will probably help you out in the long run. I have been honing blind for 8 months now and it's going ok. I'm sure I've fixed blades in worse shape than what you've got.

Although I didn't lap mine till last week, lapping your hone might be a great idea. I suspect your friend has honed off any 'high points' but he may have created a valley. If the hone (both sides) sticks to a wet pane of glass, it's flat.

Hold the razor up to the light and peer down the edge. If it is flat or slightly rounded you're fine. If it dips in the middle you need to do some circles on the hone until it is. Be careful not to apply lots of pressure while you do this. That'll just make matters worse. Patience and Persistence are great qualities for this task.

When you're ready to start creating the shaving edge, follow the Pyramid in the Permanent Archives of the Help Files and you will create a good bevel. Keep the pressure even right down the blade. Use the Search function 'pyramid' and 'pressure' too. Read as much as you can handle before you get going.

Now if your friend had just come here, done some reading and asked the right questions he'd be getting the best shaves of his life by now.

X

Since your friend gave it to you and your not out of pocket on it I would use it as a practice razor and give it a whirl. Worse comes to worse if your unsuccessful you can still send it out.

As Xman said inspect it, read the resources here and then hone it slowly, continually testing every few strokes, that way if things go south on you you'll catch it before they get out of hand.

Great stuff so far, thanks. I think I'll spend a few days reading the archives and then give it a shot this weekend.