Thread: What is your method of honing a new straight?

I used to only start new razors out at 8k if they were in really good
shape, but eventually found it simpler to set the bevel and move on
up. However, one new TI I got was so sharp I only did a few passes
on the 16k and 30k and it was deadly.

- Scott

I start at 1k and go from there. That way I know I've got a good bevel at the start and where I'm going from there.

I'd rather just set my own bevel that trying to work out how good or bad the factory edge is..!

I've yet to get a razor new that was shave ready (even one purported to be shave ready?), except one which I know the seller honed for me. I'm still very much a student to you learned guys but from what I'm reading here feel inclined to reset.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

With new Dovo's, I can typically start at the 5k level. New TI's have needed some work on the 1k to get the bevels properly set.

I would agree with this. On the new Dovo's I normally will do the circle method starting with the 4K and typically end up with very nice results. Considering some of the final grinding I have seen on the new TI's, I will usually set a bevel at the 1K and work from there.

Have fun,

Lynn

I first check the edge: how much effort does it take to cut some hairs off my arm and take it from there. It's not always necessary to reset the bevel. Less is more.

Well, I can say that after honing two new Dovo's on the weekend, it is much better to reset the bevel. I tested the factory edge when I took them out of the boxes and they seemed reasonably sharp, but certainly not shave ready. I started on 5k, then moved up to 8k and then tried 12k but I just couldn't get them anywhere near where they needed to be, to be shave ready. I dropped back to 1k, then moved up to 2k, 5k, 8k and 12k and a completely different story. You could have almost shaved with them off the 5k.
I think that I probably don't have the experience to just pick up where it needs to be in a progression but resetting the bevel certainly gave me a completely different result.

If I didn't set the bevel, the bevel is not set. The exception being that of a new razors from a vendor who happens to be a honesmeister.

Originally Posted by johnmrson

I think that I probably don't have the experience to just pick up where it needs to be in a progression but resetting the bevel certainly gave me a completely different result.

That's where the bevel marker test enters the picture. It gives me a good estimate where the bevel is at.

I just got in a Thiers Issard Le Grelot in Ram's horn yesterday as my first "new" razor. It shaved arm hair out of the box, but I just didn't trust the bevel.

I taped the spine and reset the bevel on my DMT 600/1200 then moved to my usual honing progression (dilucot w/ coticule and escher finish). Provided one smooth shave and I was more comfortable knowing I had set the bevel correctly.