Thread: Honemeister advice (Update from a newbie)

Just thought I' give you guys an update. After many a times on the hone, I think I'll send the DOVO stainless out to Lynn and have him show it who's boss. It's sharp, but not sharp enough. Hopfully after that I'll be able to maintain the edge. I decided to go find my other razor, a 5 dollar special off ebay my mom got me and try that out for size. It's old and had numerous nicks in the blade. I managed to get them out though on my piece of glass using 320 grit paper. Took a while but I was pretty pleased with myself. From there to the 4k for a few swipes and a little pyramid work them to my face! It shaved my cheeks pretty darn well. The old high carbon steel really must be superior to the stainless. I was so pleased. I knew it needed a bit more work though when I got to my chin. I gave it about 10 swipes this morning on the 8k and what do you know, it doesn't shave nearly as well as last night. What the heck? Over honed? Should I just go back to the pyramid? I can definetly see now that honing is an art. I'm confident I'll get it though. Just looking for some of you guys' thoughts on what to do from here. Right now I'm pretty much just experimenting with all the advice I got from Randy. One other question: Where can I get one of those elusive "wonderedges". I'm not even shaving with a straight yet and I've already want more. Especially after I saw that I can fix a crappy blade! Ok, I'm rambling so .....thanks again for all the advice guys!

Use the thumb nail test to check for overhoned. Consider buying a $10 microscope from RadioShack to look at the edge. Use a touch of pressure on the 8k then back off again to a very light touch. Practice stropping. Go to ebay and search for DoubleDuck. Take out a loan from the bank!

Well, you won't go wrong sending it to Lynn. Him and Randy's who learnt me to do it.

So you want a Wonderedge eh? Well, if you have patience and keep looking on Eboy and are willing to get one in less than pristine condition and you are lucky you will find one at a reasonable price. And whats a reasonable price? Anything less than $100.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Consider buying a $10 microscope from RadioShack to look at the edge.

I've heard you guys talking about really cheap radioshack microscopes. In Oz we don't have specific radioshack stores but where you can buy radioshack gear (Dick Smith/Tandy) the only microscope I could find was like one of those big ones that you used to use in biology (came with a kit that had all these projects and chemicals and stuff. Looked kinda cool in it own right... but I digress) and it was around $50.
After a very quick Google I found this

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search

Is this what you're all talking about?

If you want a goldenedge dd great condition and shave ready 85.00 plus shipping email me [email protected]

Originally Posted by drsch3

I've heard you guys talking about really cheap radioshack microscopes. In Oz we don't have specific radioshack stores but where you can buy radioshack gear (Dick Smith/Tandy) the only microscope I could find was like one of those big ones that you used to use in biology (came with a kit that had all these projects and chemicals and stuff. Looked kinda cool in it own right... but I digress) and it was around $50.
After a very quick Google I found this

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search

Is this what you're all talking about?

That's the one I use, and I love it.

Yes, that's the microscope: 60-100x illuminated scope, for $9.99.

A very handy tool!

Bought one of these lil scopes recently. Since I noseeum, I wonder if some of you will lend some sage advice for me to pass on to my S.O. for viewing my razors.

Thought I'd drop by and give everyone an update. This is actually an IM for randy but I figured it would be good to bounce off everyone as well. Im still working on the old razor that I took the nick's out of while lynn hones my dovo (I can't wait to get it back!). Anyways, I thought It might be overhoned (though the thumbnail test doesn't seem to indicate) so I did a little back honing (about 10 strokes on the 4k) and did kind of a modified pyramid. Now I'm back to being pretty sharp. Still about the same as before. Still won't pass the HHT. It'll cut hairs on my arm and I've noticed when its sharper it makes less of a sound. I never have enough stubble to shave test at night so I did so on my chest again. Once again, it shaves. Pretty much without iritaion too. On my face this morning, shaved, pulled and didn't cut the hair to the skin. Shaving the chin area wasn't going to happen. Here are my thoughts:

1. The shave went pretty well on my chest because the hair isn't as thick. My technique has also changed to incorporate more of a slicing (scything?) motion. This seems to help a sub par edge shave better.

2. When I lapped my stone, the 600 grit was not fine enough to leave a propper surface on the stone? Or is my stone not flat still? I would think if this is the case I could still get it to pass the HHT on some parts of the blade.

3. I'm pretty sure I'm doing most everything right proceduraly so now I need to stard the process of elimination. I'm going to go get a microscope today so I can see what the actual edge looks like. I think that should help quite a bit. Then I can experiment and see what changes take place on the edge. Excuse the grammar, this was kind of a thinking session for me as well....Thanks again for the advice