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

Try as I might. I still cannot get my Dovo Astral to shave as well as the Gold Dollar shave ready that I bought on ebay.

I'm doing something wrong. I don't know what.

Norton 220/1k, 4K/8K, Now the Shapton 16k, CrOx strop, Filly strop.

My shaving is getting better using the GD, but my Honing still sucks.

Originally Posted by jeffegg2

Try as I might. I still cannot get my Dovo Astral to shave as well as the Gold Dollar shave ready that I bought on ebay.

I'm doing something wrong. I don't know what.

Norton 220/1k, 4K/8K, Now the Shapton 16k, CrOx strop, Filly strop.

My shaving is getting better using the GD, but my Honing still sucks.

patie
honing takes time to master, be patient.
Or put up your honing videos let s see your hands gl

Make sure that you set the bevel 100% sharp. Do it with 1K - 4K. That is a sharpness you can get from a razor. Any higher grits just polish the edge and give you the smoother and more comfortable shave. Setting the bevel is the magic word.

There can be so many variables to getting a good edge but for a start use the magic marker test & see if the stone is contacting the edge all the way. Then you can address the next problems... if there are any

There is some serious info lacking in this post...

First you don't say if the Dovo was shave ready when you got it,???

You do say the GD was shave ready when you got it...

Have you re-honed the GD???

Are you re-honing the Dovo???

Did the Dovo ever shave??? At all???

Have you honed any razor to shave ready yet????

From what starting point???

We need more info on the Dovo... and your experience with honing SR's

Jeff,

It's that Proraso shave cream your rubbing on your leather strop.....

Originally Posted by gssixgun

There is some serious info lacking in this post...

First you don't say if the Dovo was shave ready when you got it,???

Received not shave ready.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

You do say the GD was shave ready when you got it...

Correct. The GD was received shave ready.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Have you re-honed the GD???

No. Strop only.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Are you re-honing the Dovo???

Yes

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Did the Dovo ever shave??? At all???

Shaves, but never well.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Have you honed any razor to shave ready yet????

Never yet.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

From what starting point???

From factory setting. I have no used, only from factory new.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

We need more info on the Dovo... and your experience with honing

The Dovo is from factory. My experience is none other than with this razor.

Originally Posted by zib

Jeff,

It's that Proraso shave cream your rubbing on your leather strop.....

That cannot be the problem as my stropping is just fine. Only the honing is a problem.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

There can be so many variables to getting a good edge but for a start use the magic marker test & see if the stone is contacting the edge all the way. Then you can address the next problems... if there are any

Did the MM test.

OK now I have the info to help you...

First I am assuming that the hones 1-4-8 are freshly lapped and ready to go...

Tape the spine, one layer, when you get better at this you can decide for yourself whether you want to continue taping..

I keep a slight heel forward position during all this...

On the 1k wet, do 20 counterclockwise circles using some pressure, down/across the stone...Flip the razor and do 20 clockwise circles up/across the stone... Circle toward the edge in other words...

STOP !!!

Feel the edge with your thumb... it should feel sharper sorta like a knife..

Rinse the stone, change the tape...

Now repeat this procedure again only use less pressure... This is what Lynn came up with for the fastest bevel set you will ever find "20 Circles to Sharp"

Stop feel the edge again... It should feel even sharper now..
Now is the time for TNT wet your thumbnail and test from heel to toe it should be just barely digging the entire way...

No?? Repeat last 20 circles

Yes???

Do 20 light even laps making sure the entire edge is moving across the 1k evenly and lightly...

Stop. try the AHT the edge should shave arm hair from heel to toe, yes with some effort, but some hair should cut...

No??? add 10 laps at a time until it does..

Yes ???
Change the tape and move to the 4k hone...

Now is the easy part of honing, you can switch to the Norton Conservative Pyramid or you can stay Progressive from here the choice is yours.....

Once the bevel is set, the rest is sharpening and polishing, keep a light even touch and you'll be fine...