Thread: What's your honing "failure" rate?

It's my opinion that not achieving absolute success right out of the gate isn't a failure.

Failure - to me - would mean throwing in the towel after the initial shave-test.

I've sharpened one razor to a shaving sharp edge. Which makes my failure rate zero percent. I know..I'm awesome.

I have 2 that are so hard , they laugh at my Norton 1k . I suppose I'll need a diamond hone to get a bevel on them . Until I have the money to spare for a diamond hone , those razors are going to have to sit . I have more than enough razors to shave with , so it's not like I really need to get them honed .

The blue tint is a sure sign it has lost its temper
In that case, there is nothing a mortal man can do to put a good edge on the blade.

Originally Posted by dave5225

I have 2 that are so hard , they laugh at my Norton 1k . I suppose I'll need a diamond hone to get a bevel on them . Until I have the money to spare for a diamond hone , those razors are going to have to sit . I have more than enough razors to shave with , so it's not like I really need to get them honed .

Waterstones are better for razors & diamonds are better for women & knives IMO. Diamonds are just too aggressive & if those blades are as hard as you think, a diamond stone would more than likely cause chipping. If you check around, the most used bevel setter used by the veterans is a chosera 1K, aka "the big green brick". You can send me those two razors and I will set the bevel for you.

So far my rate is about 50/50. Keep in mind I only have abut 10 razors that are users. I'm still fairly new to the razor world. I can get a decent edge on about half and the other half of my razors are giving me fits.

Ray

Originally Posted by Davethedog

Hi I am very new to all of this stuff. Im loving every bit of it, however I wonder if we all suffer from OCD. ( no offence meant. ) So far I have approx 20 razors, bought from Ebay/ French brocantes/ and some given to me. I have bought several different hones and a few strips of leather, and now I am creating my own league tables as to which one I can make the sharpest. this is all because, like above, some sharpen really well, and some are absolute sods to get an edge on.

Welcome to SRP Dave. Yeah, some are tougher than others. Keeps life interesting if we don't let it frustrate us. Really is a heck of a hobby if you not only shave but hone your own too. You might want to drop by the "member introductions" thread where more people will see your intro to SRP.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

...the blades will talk to you.

Oh good, so it's not just me. Thank you so much, I was worried there for a while.

But Nun2sharp knows what they're saying.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

Waterstones are better for razors & diamonds are better for women & knives IMO. Diamonds are just too aggressive & if those blades are as hard as you think, a diamond stone would more than likely cause chipping. If you check around, the most used bevel setter used by the veterans is a chosera 1K, aka "the big green brick". You can send me those two razors and I will set the bevel for you.

Thank you for your generous offer , shooter , but I'll just set them aside until I get a Chosera .