A Thank You to Glen (gssixgun) and Lynn Abrams!
I would like to give a big thank you to Glen and Lynn for their videos on honing. I have only used straight razors for four months but never really honed them myself. I do have experience honing my kitchen knives but honing razors is a whole new area. Last night was my first real attempt to use my Swaty Stone on some of my razors. I have a D. O. & H. "Clean Cut" razor, purchased shave-ready from Glen (GemStarCustoms) and a Dovo Black Micarta honed by Lynn that I used as standards for sharpness and quality.
After watching Glen's videos on honing for the third time last night, I took six razors, which all were sharp enough to use but not terribly smooth or consistent. Four of them came supposedly "shave-ready." Hmm? None of them easily popped the hairs for the full length of the blade.
Razors:
5/8 dd Goldedge
4/8 dd Special No. 1 (somewhat worn)
6/8 Thiers Issard evide sonnant Medaille d'Argent, 1931, 1196
5/8 Le Grelot Universal Cutlery New York 150
4/8 Union Cutlery SPIKE with green scales and gold wedge symbol .
4/8 Strega Eskilstuna NOS WWII razor
I taped each razor and then, using a light touch, honed them on a Franz Swaty 3-line stone.
1. 25 circles both sides
2. 10 straight laps both sides
3. 10 X laps both sides.
WOW! What a difference. Five of them easily popped the hair on my arms. Of course, after testing six razors, my arms are now hairless.
Only one razor was recalcitrant, the dd Special No.1. Using a heavier touch, I repeated the entire honing process and then, using a lighter touch, repeated the honing process a final time. It took three complete honings but IT WORKED! It popped the hairs with ease. I had to resort to my knuckles to find some hair to test. LOL.
I was a little apprehensive that the Swaty might have too high a grit to sharpen these razors but I was pleasantly surprised. If any of them had needed a bevel re-set, this probably would not have worked. I know that if a razor's edge only needs refreshing, it should only take 5-6 laps on the Swaty. I will see if that works on these razors in the future.
After 30/60 laps on a SRP leather paddle, I shaved with the diminuative Strega this morning and it gave me an outstanding shave that was extremely close and comfortable. It must be beginner's luck, because it rivaled some of my best razors. I now look forward to shaving with the other five to see if they will make the grade or need further work.
Question:
In addition to my Swaty, I have a Chroma Type 301 Japanese water stone that is 800 medium grit that I use for my Chroma knives. Do you think it will work to set a razor's bevel with this stone and then finish the edge on the Swaty?
If I had not watched Lynn Abram's "The World of Straight Razors" and Glen's superlative honing videos, I would never have attempted polishing the edges on these razors. Thanks goes to these two gentlemen who provide all of us with inspiration, support, knowledge, and encouragement!
