Thread: I'm doing something wrong....

I'm actually glad to hear that the razor passes the HHT but doesn't shave well.

Not for you, but for me. I'm having the same problem with my Dovo "Best Quality" as well. I didn't hone it to get it to pass the HHT test though, I had it sent out.

The first shave I did with it was ok, but not great. I figured it was just my lack of experience though. I've stropped it before and after every shave, and it still passes the HHT, but definitely still tugs here and there. It also does a number on my neck. The only way I can get a half decent shave is by going ATG on my entire face.

Not sure what else to do though. I'm using Castle Forbes lather, have tried hot and cold shaves. I'm thinking of maybe trying olive oil instead of soap?

Although, if the razor isn't sharp enough, I guess soap/oil won't make a difference. Maybe the blade is defective since it passes the HHT after getting honed?

Keep me posted on any updates!

Originally Posted by thorxes

I'm actually glad to hear that the razor passes the HHT but doesn't shave well.

Not for you, but for me. I'm having the same problem with my Dovo "Best Quality" as well. I didn't hone it to get it to pass the HHT test though, I had it sent out.

The first shave I did with it was ok, but not great. I figured it was just my lack of experience though. I've stropped it before and after every shave, and it still passes the HHT, but definitely still tugs here and there. It also does a number on my neck. The only way I can get a half decent shave is by going ATG on my entire face.

Not sure what else to do though. I'm using Castle Forbes lather, have tried hot and cold shaves. I'm thinking of maybe trying olive oil instead of soap?

Although, if the razor isn't sharp enough, I guess soap/oil won't make a difference. Maybe the blade is defective since it passes the HHT after getting honed?

Keep me posted on any updates!

But I also have a shave ready razor to compare it with, so I know it is not my technique. Do you have a razor that is shaving well? or only that one? I know as beginners we really need the proper technique to get a good shave, that is why they say to start slow and pick up the slack with a DE, or whatever you are used to.

Yeah this is the only one. I sprung for a good quality one, and with sending it out to get honed I figured it would be shaving as well is it could.

Now, after all this I'm beginning to wonder what shaving with another good quality razor would be like. But buying another one and having that one honed is just another huge hit to the pocket book...

That's why I'm thinking that maybe it's a razor defect? I guess I llike to assume that all the "Straight Edge Vets" know what they're doing.

All you are finding is that there is a learning curve to honing (even when someone tells you exactly what to do online). It's got nothing to do with the razor at all. Keep practicing your honing and keep trying the shaves, and you'll get there sooner or later.

I'm still very new to honing, so take this into account with what other and more experienced people are saying.

I've done a couple touch ups on my razors, a few sharpens and pollishes, and about 5 bevel sets to pollish. I hear what you're saying about the HHT, and respect that....however.....none of my blades are currently passing the HHT, and I have sent two razors out for honing, which came back and only one passed the HHT.

Here's the thing. I own 7 razors, and each one cuts my beard like butter. As a benchmark, I understand the HHT, but the true test is how it feels on your cheek, under your chin, etc. If it shaves well, its good enough for me.

Just my two cents.

P.S. on page one or two (can't remember) of this thread, the progression that Glen has posted to create a bevel worked fantastic for me - "20 Cirlces to sharp".

Originally Posted by Jeffery

After the 1k, I used the 4k, and then the 8k, and then the 1k, and then the CrOx strop, and then the Filly Strop, and then shaved. I guess you would call it progressive...

I was actually asking what laps and techniques you were using...

I have to elaborate a bit here... There are so many things that go into honing, just right here OK???
Are you doing straight down the hone laps, are you using a heel forward angle, are you doing X laps, are you keeping you elbow level, are you dragging the edge off the hone, are you mixing the strokes, are you using to much pressure, are you using to little pressure, are you using the pyramid ????? I am not looking for an answer to just these few questions I am just pointing out some of the variables just in this minute portion of honing

Honing is not a science it is an art and you have to learn it by your mistakes I can type for days but eventually YOU have to figure out the step that YOU are missing...

By way of reassurance, I found my experience in learning to hone not to be gradual...I kept having razors that I just knew I "did everything right" with and yet they were terrible.

Then somehow, one day I did one and it was superb. I have since honed my 5 "project" razors and they're all excellent shavers.

Somehow, the coming together of the stones, the strokes, the touch, your sense of "how much" seemed (for me) to happen all at once, kind of an "aha!" thing.

So keep working at it. Following good advice like you're getting here will ultimately give a razor you can shave with happily, and you'll be very satisfied that you did it yourself.

I'd also suggest perhaps finding a vintage razor of a type known for taking an edge easily. My breakthrough razors were a Robeson Shur Edge, a Dubl Duck Special #1, and a Wostenholm IXL. I have since learned those are kind of famous for being easy to hone.

You'll get it, though. Don't despair.

Originally Posted by Maxi

I'm still very new to honing, so take this into account with what other and more experienced people are saying.

I've done a couple touch ups on my razors, a few sharpens and pollishes, and about 5 bevel sets to pollish. I hear what you're saying about the HHT, and respect that....however.....none of my blades are currently passing the HHT, and I have sent two razors out for honing, which came back and only one passed the HHT.

Here's the thing. I own 7 razors, and each one cuts my beard like butter. As a benchmark, I understand the HHT, but the true test is how it feels on your cheek, under your chin, etc. If it shaves well, its good enough for me.

Just my two cents.

P.S. on page one or two (can't remember) of this thread, the progression that Glen has posted to create a bevel worked fantastic for me - "20 Cirlces to sharp".

This article serves as a very good point/answer to a questions I've had.

You say that a razor can "fail" the HHT and yet shave well. I had just always assumed that if a razor passed the HHT, it would always shave well. Afterall, if it shaved well not passing the HHT, then passing the HHT would just mean it was that much sharper.

This however seems to not be the case. Maybe a quick note of this on the wiki would help. *If a razor doesn't pass the HHT, it doesn't mean the razor won't shave well. If a razor passes the HHT, it doesn't mean the razor will shave well.*

It's almost as though the HHT doesn't really mean anything when it comes to shaving as it can go either way, and there are other elements that matter more to how well a razor shaves. Although I feel that there few exceptions when the HHT is passed and the razor doesn't shave well.

But then if a razor passes the HHT after being sent off to get honed, how does one tell what the problem is?

Originally Posted by thorxes

This article serves as a very good point/answer to a questions I've had.

You say that a razor can "fail" the HHT and yet shave well. I had just always assumed that if a razor passed the HHT, it would always shave well. Afterall, if it shaved well not passing the HHT, then passing the HHT would just mean it was that much sharper.

This however seems to not be the case. Maybe a quick note of this on the wiki would help. *If a razor doesn't pass the HHT, it doesn't mean the razor won't shave well. If a razor passes the HHT, it doesn't mean the razor will shave well.*

It's almost as though the HHT doesn't really mean anything when it comes to shaving as it can go either way, and there are other elements that matter more to how well a razor shaves. Although I feel that there few exceptions when the HHT is passed and the razor doesn't shave well.

But then if a razor passes the HHT after being sent off to get honed, how does one tell what the problem is?

First don't confuse HHT with a shaving test like most people do...

Second the Wiki does have several things in there that are looked at a gospel, that are actually opinion...

Third the HHT is a sharpness test that must be developed to be useful at all, "The guy that wrote all that in the Wiki took it a bit farther than most people"

For instance in my personal case..

HHT with my hair means "Nothing" other then the bevel is set, I can pop my hair at 1k-2k no problemo...

Now take my wifes baby fine hair that will not pop until the edge is perfect and stropped, that does give ME and indication that the razor is shave ready...
Why???
Because I have tried it on thousands of razors, I get her hair to pop and better than 99.99% of the razors shave well TOO, not because of...

Get the razor shaving well first consistently, then work out your own HHT

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Get the razor shaving well first consistently, then work out your own HHT

I guess this is my current problem. I thought sending the razor out to get honed would get it to shave well consistently to develop that "baseline" everyone talks about.

But since it doesn't shave as well as I had hoped, I'm not sure what else I'm supposed to do.

I have my own set of hones, but after sending the razor out, I'm too afraid of screwing the honing job up by trying to do it myself.

I was hoping to pick a razor up at an antique store for cheap this weekend, and work on my honing skills that way instead of using my primary shaving razor.