Thread: Oh My Goodness What HAVE I Done!

So this is my second weekend trying to hone (Norton 4/8, Shapton 16). The razor (Emil Kronenberg) was pretty much blunt by the time I'd finished removing some surface rust with wet and dry etc. I tried last weekend and ended up firstly with a bread knife, and next with a razor that cut but tugged. And then put it away until now.

So today I asked some questions here, read some more, watched more vids and emailed a friend.

So. I did two 'aggressive' pyramids and a 'conservative' one, with special attention at the heel. I noticed the heel area would essentially 'fail' the TNT, so I worked that area a bit, mainly because I like to use the heel a lot when shaving. I tried to REALLY concentrate; like I was honing a feather made of glass. If I messed up (like the edge passed over the stone uneven) I went back a step. I did 5 passes on the 16k after the pyramids.

Even though I'd shaved this morning, I wanted to test this blade at 7 O'clock tonight. I showered as per normal, put on some 'Oscar' pre-[shave oil, made a mix of Speick and Musgo Real and glycerin (went a bit weird on me; went really frothy) and shaved.

At first I thought, "Oh, bread knife (blunt) again", but then I realised (a) I couldn't feel it and (b) Even though I couldn't feel it it was cutting. Cutting I tell you! Cutting and SMOOTH!

Now I know it's not a REAL test as I shaved this morning (well, 10AM; had a late one last night) but this was a smooooth shave. I also did ATG on the neck and under the jawline and got arguably the BEST result I've got with a ATG. I am SO SO happy!

I'll need to give it another whirl Monday AM, and maybe it could do with one or two more passes on the 16k, but this was a REALLY smooth shave. I actually think MAYBE this razor is a [expletive] NICE razor? Feels very very nice... actually...Anybody have one of these (Emil Kronenberg Sen 'Edgerite'?

I'm a little frustrated by the lack of information on razors. I really want to know a lot about the makers and times, etc. I can't WAIT to see how the frameback I'm getting shaves. I've only got three razors at the moment (frameback travelling here as I type) but it's so interesting how different they all are to shave with.

Thanks so much to all the guys who advised me; esp Nathan and Axel...

There is also a book, Goins Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings. You can find it on the bay right now for a reasonable price. I keep meaning to pick one up, but there's always something else that manages to be first in line!

Good work on the razor. It is a really nice feeling to shave with something that you honed yourself.

Congratulations, feels great shaving with a razor you cleaned up and honed yourself. Keep at it and you'll be happy with your blades for a long time to come.

Well, Carl... you did good...

Now quick! What do you call that thing you rubbed your razor on and got it to shave?

3, 2, 1...

wait, wait, wait...

Carl honed his blade with his 'wait' and all was well...

Grats! You've gotta be feeling good about your work - for all the right reasons! I'm far from expert, but 30-40 blades honed from now, you'll get edges more reliably. A couple hundred and you'll be able to get decent edges from most razors. The guys here have been invaluable to my awkward attempts, Keep asking the questions and it will get easier, and the edges will get better. You have some REALLY good guys down under there to get help from. You might want to connect with them in person for some time with the stones.

Thank heavens you finally got it right!

Congratulations!

Congrats, Carl!

Are you doing all this without a 1k hone? That takes a lot of patience.

I think you'll find the frameback relatively easy to hone. That's been my experience with them.

Best wishes

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

So this is my second weekend trying to hone (Norton 4/8, Shapton 16). The razor (Emil Kronenberg) was pretty much blunt by the time I'd finished removing some surface rust with wet and dry etc. I tried last weekend and ended up firstly with a bread knife, and next with a razor that cut but tugged. And then put it away until now.

Have you got any rust protectors? I've got tuf-glide, used by the U.S. coast guard for awhile to protect their precious guns. Some of the rust and stain removers also put a semi-protective coat, or end-reacted subtle tarnish that resists further corrosion. Really, you should let some tarnish develop on your razor, it's a tool for shaving, not a collectible (at least at this point).

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Thanks so much to all the guys who advised me; esp Nathan and Axel...

Yer welcome. Now I'll help you in another way: don't play too much with mixing creams/soaps and glycerin! Let it be and develop a relationship to the single product. Besides, when you're in the outback noshing on crocodile or kangaroo meat with your Foster's beer you won't have all your shaving supplies handy, you'll have to shave like a man, dammit! Even better, you'll shave like an Australian straight shaving man!

Originally Posted by Blix

Thank heavens you finally got it right!

Congratulations!

Yeah, 'cause maybe now I'll shut up for a bit! :-)

Originally Posted by AxelH

...Yer welcome. Now I'll help you in another way: don't play too much with mixing creams/soaps and glycerin! Let it be and develop a relationship to the single product. Besides, when you're in the outback noshing on crocodile or kangaroo meat with your Foster's beer you won't have all your shaving supplies handy, you'll have to shave like a man, dammit! Even better, you'll shave like an Australian straight shaving man!

Oh I DO like mixing, but this morning went with just TOBS Eton College by itself (and Proraso pre shave). I don't ALWAYS mix them, but it is fun to mix. Of course I'll be using the straight razor to KILL the croc and 'roos. Have you even eaten Kangaroo meat? It's really nice. I hate Fosters, much rather like Stella Artois, Peroni or Henninger :-)