finally, some honing success
My first real straight razor was a dovo classic special. I managed to nick it against the sink faucet and then in attempting to fix it, I wore down the spine of the razor, so that it's now uneven and I'm incapable of fixing it. My first attempt was with a spyderco sharpmaker (ceramic stones - not even the ultra fine ones :eek: ) and later with a Norton 4k/8k. My first straight razor experience was not working out as I imagined and I was quickly becoming frustrated.
I then switched back to a dovo shavette that I had been using before the straight. This lessened my frustration, as I was able to enjoy the process of shaving with a straight again, while forgetting all about the frustration of honing and stropping. I also remembered what it was like to shave with a really sharp blade.
With my confidence restored, I decided to have another go with a real straight. I got myself a Fromm Red Head from Tony Miller (who was nice enough to hone it for me as well) and I again enjoyed the pleasure of a well sharpened razor.
Then came the time when it was ready to be honed again. I took out the Norton 4k/8k and armed with the knowledge I acquired when destroying my Dovo, I attempted to hone once again. I used the pyramid pattern and when I was done I attempted the HHT and was dissapointed to find that it wouldn't cut the hair. I decided to strop it anyway and hope for the best.
Well, after giving it a bunch of passes on the strop, I attempted the HHT again, and this time it worked - it easily popped the hair up and down the length of the blade.
Wow - I successfully managed to hone and strop my razor. I later shaved with the razor and while it wasn't shavette sharp, it was much more satisfying of a shave (knowing that I was using a real straight razor that was honed and stropped by myself!)
Thanks for your attention. I just wanted to share my excitement with some others who would understsand.
