Thread: Beginner Encouraged, but Humbled

Originally Posted by pinklather

That souvenir set from Soligen. Lemme know how you like it. I passed a nos set up at the last antique show.

Like yourself, I'm really very happy w/ my edges. I like the shaves, I like that I can get wicked sharp on most, and very sharp but very smooth. Probably like yourself, there are blades that just make a monkey out of you. I sure do.

In most areas, I have little natural talent. Guarnera rightly points to this as being a big separator between the 'most' and the 'greats'. But what one lacks in talent, they can mostly make up for in hard work. 'Not my words - they're from Lanny Basham (multiple gold & silver Olympic medalist & world champion marksman) in his book "With Winning in Mind". Basham described himself as having little natural talent for marksmanship. I don't think this was false humility. Notice the blade counts for the better honemeisters - in the thousands. 'Starts sounding like they learned through hard work too. Through their generosity, we're treated to tips, tricks and insight for free that others must pay dearly for. We're the grateful recipients.

Dwarvenchief - you've got me agitated to learn what stropping secrets or techniques you've gleaned from Carter. Is this material online? One reason for the aggitation is that he's about 15 mi. from me. Does he use a straight? I understand he apprenticed in Japan. What better guy to talk about Jnats (if he does use a str8).

Lawson, what you've shared in this & other posts has been great. I'll never forget the line about abysmal technique assures that everything on your face will get cut except hair. You'll be immortalized for that one! Thanks again for sharing.

This Solingen 7-Day set is totally sweet. Lynn did a phenomenal job honing them. The bevel is so narrow it's almost invisible, but the shave unbelievably well. I finished this AM and my wife, who "stays out of it" when it comes to my shaving, said "i can see from here how close that is--that must be really sharp"

I confess, though, they were spike points, and I've slightly rounded the spike because I have 4 deep cuts on my face caused by spikes and I'm done with that!

Lawson, they're beautiful!

The scales are more attractive than the set I saw. The etching/goldwash looks like a real razor. The ones I saw looked sorta like the title 'souvenir' - cutesy, rather than quality tool.

That whole issue of bevel width still has my head swimming. 'Wish I could do that reliably each time.

'Grats on a wonderful set & your progress so far w/ the stones. You've graduated to the coti ahead of me. Funds keep me on the humble chinese brick - but the shaves are wonderful.

All best to you & yours, Lawson. and thank you for the pics & the info.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Hey Lawson, dont fret, even when you become good at it, one will come along to kick your butt! I am dealing with one now. An old W&B with a nice smile and all the inclusions/air pockets in the metal you could ever ask for. I have already re done the bevel umpteen times now!

I hear ya brother,i got an American Cutlery near wedge,thats gone in the trash can and then retrieved at least 6 times, it was 13/16 and now is 6/8 and still no end in sight!!!!

Originally Posted by pinklather

Lawson, they're beautiful!

The scales are more attractive than the set I saw. The etching/goldwash looks like a real razor. The ones I saw looked sorta like the title 'souvenir' - cutesy, rather than quality tool.

That whole issue of bevel width still has my head swimming. 'Wish I could do that reliably each time.

'Grats on a wonderful set & your progress so far w/ the stones. You've graduated to the coti ahead of me. Funds keep me on the humble chinese brick - but the shaves are wonderful.

All best to you & yours, Lawson. and thank you for the pics & the info.

Hey thanks. It has been gratifying to see progress and fun to shave with razors I have rescued with a little sandpaper and my hones. Actually I shaved today with one I honed recently and the 'distance' between it and the ones Lynn honed was clear, but not out of sight. I bet that the last "5%" is the distance that only comes with thousands of razors! It's what you pay for when you send it to one of these guys!

You're about 3 mo. ahead of me on str8 shaving, but probably further on stones. I've had some arrested development in the RAD stage. Then arrested dev. in the income stage (company bought, office closed - I'm sure there are many like me).

I'm playing w/ various concentrations and dilutions of slurry on the humble chinese brick. It really is amazing what the little thing will do. When daily bread resumes, I'll be looking at other rocks. No doubt HAD will stalk me like a wounded animal.

In the mean time, savor your progress. I've loved hearing about it. Keep working it.