Thread: I'm not sure what to say about this.

Originally Posted by markdfhr

Had I learned about shaving from him, this is misinformation I would probably take as gospel.

And the proverbial nail just got struck on the proverbial head.

The problem with the internet is that someone who isn't as cynical as I am will see or read something and take it as the gospel. Just head on over to B&B (I'm not referring to Bed & Breakfast) I'm open to giving anyone the benefit of the doubt, but I'm wary when they are a little too sure of themselves. Yeah, "cuz has some skills handling a razor/spoon/knife around his face....". Hell, I could shave my face with a soup can lid if it were honed properly. But I don't think I'll be attempting that maneuver any time soon.

Carter does not make straight razors does he?

Originally Posted by Ryan82

30 posts and not one guy will stick up for Mr Carter? Sorry guys, but I don't see the big deal here.

First of all, this guy knows steel. Read his bio - I'm sure he's not misrepresenting himself solely to dupe the online world. Though I would agree that Mr Carter doesn't follow conventional high SRP standards the fact is that he states at the beginning that he is one of us: a straight razor shaver. ...

And it is quite likely he is buying his stones in Japan, from the quarry. I know he buys his steel there. His vitae is accurate. He is one of the very few non Japanese to remotely succeed in the tool making world in Japan. He is one of the few who can, because they know they are selling to one of their own craftsmen.

Having watched human behavior for some time now...there is a gulf of difference between arrogance that is earned versus arrogance that is un-earned. His has been earned, but it also contains a potential flaw. He appears to have achieved his lowest level of satisfaction (if only in this demonstration) and this misses the feeling that he has retained a learner's mind. I am willing to be wrong about this. His intentions are only to be guessed at, but consistent with his business model, perhaps his sense of humor. Nothing about his behavior requires you or me to like it. I have no doubt that he can produce sharp edges. He was able to adapt to the Japanese way of doing things at one time in his life. Arrogance can be all too easily misinterpreted because the witness to it is often left to feel some how less in comparison.

As a fellow knifemaker and bladesmith, I can see exactly where he is coming from and why he fails to impress this audience. Knowledge can lead to a closed mind and that is balanced on a razor's edge, it can also open the mind if the will is present to admit that you don't own all knowledge. As much as I gravitated to this place to learn about razors (thanks entirely to Terry and Randy dang you guys..) I have learned, and am still learning, a great deal. I have been fortunate to be tolerated and allowed to share here. Despite having a head stuffed full of nursing, education, medicine and steel (and I too, could be more arrogant), I am still adapting to what a razor represents to those who know razors better than I do.

There in lies a difference. It's neither better nor worse, just different. Is it arrogant for me to judge him so harshly? Yes, and I'm unashamed to do so, and will prod anyone with a closed mind exactly the same way, when I find out first, where they are coming from and what they know.

While there are paths and ways to achieve an end, there are also ideal ways that simply feel better. I have witnessed Japanese carpenters spend an hour a day sharpening their chisels in much the same way that you folks hone your razors. I've also seen American carpenters use a Sears belt grinder in 30 seconds. Both edges are sharp, and it's no big thought to know whose edge cut longer and finer. If I had been only about getting work done, the belt grinder would have been "good enough." There's a lot to be said for mindfulness and paying attention too.

Thanks for all being good teachers.

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

Carter does not make straight razors does he?

yes.... in the spoon video he finishes with a kamisori he built....

Originally Posted by markdfhr

Carter may know how to make razors. But he equates stropping (with a newspaper or belt) to stropping with a real strop when honing and stropping are two different things. Had I learned about shaving from him, this is misinformation I would probably take as gospel.

With the videos you see on his honing technique, you have to wonder if over time you will either put unintentional smiles... or frowns in your blades.

A mechanic may know how to fix a car but he won't necessarily know the physics of why it works. I'm not saying Carter can't make or even sharpen blades. What I am saying is SRP is full of much better information for the true straight razor devotee.

On that single point, I can agree. The rest, not so much.

Stropping is an action you perform, and can be accomplished on any number of surfaces, not just on a "real strop", whatever that is.

Without inspection of the razor he is sharpening, it's not possible to critique the edge he is making, In any event, removal of steel from the toe of the razor doesn't produce a frown.

Mechanics don't build cars, they repair them. The people who make cars need physics.

Just sayin'

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

Carter does not make straight razors does he?

Yes, he makes both Japanese style single-bevel and the conventional type as well. His focus, though, is on kitchen cutlery.

Originally Posted by Mike Blue

Having watched human behavior for some time now...there is a gulf of difference between arrogance that is earned versus arrogance that is un-earned.

Arrogance (your wording), is a bit harsh. I'll concede Mr. Carter this; it takes some rather large cojones to upload a video and subsequently open yourself up to the criticisms of others.

i see people talking about him using newspaper..... this is from the SRP wiki......

Other pastes and powders

Iron and aluminum oxide
Both of these can also be used as polishing media. Please be very careful when buying either, as the purity and the micron sizes are very important.
Carbon blacking/lamp black
This might be the oldest of all the sharpening "pastes". When used on a leather strop it increases draw.
Wood ash
Another old fashioned sharpening "paste" which is very light abrasive when used on linen strops and leather strops.
White chalk
White chalk can be rubbed on a linen strop to increase its abrasive qualities.
Newspaper
The ink itself is a very fine abrasive and so is the paper.

does this mean chuck your leather and cloth? NO..

maybe try and look at this video as an "alternative method" to what you know....... i found it interesting to watch and as i said earlier the man has obvious skill working with edged tools *(be they razors/knives/spoons etc).....

i just don't see the need to trash him or his methods because they are not the ones i use to hone my razors......

some guys here make 100's of passes on cloth then 100's more on leather stropping before they shave...... does that mean you have to? no...

some guys hone in little circles... some use x patterns.... some guys spend 100's maybe 1000's of dollars on one stone.... does that mean you have to? no....

and the "3 finger sharpness test" he uses is the equivalent of the thumb pad test.......... no one has issues with the TPT why have issues with him doing it with 3 fingers instead of his thumb?

is this the "best" method of honing.... heckkkkkkk no..... does it work?? apparently... *(for him)......

mr, carter is admittedly highly skilled in metal work... he was trained in japan by masters and he makes his living building edged tools for people to use......

why the disrespect for someone who is a master of their trade???

This honing method wastes steel, most likely scratches the steel above the bevel, makes for an uneven bevel, and uneven wear at the toe of the razor. I would never buy a razor from someone who makes beginner mistakes like this.

Mike said it much better than I could. It tells a lot about a craftsmen how they treat their tools/machines, and their finished artwork. A true craftsman gives a lot about detail, and treats everything he touches with care, and respect. In that video, he obviously doesnt respect the "tool" he is sharpening

Originally Posted by paco664

why the disrespect for someone who is a master of their trade???

Funny thing is Carter is well respected as knife maker but very disliked as a person, arrogance being often the reason.
I am fine with him having confidence in himself, he apparently knows his stuff.
On the subject at hand, however, please grab a 1/6k king and a news paper and follow his process , then shave and let us know how it went for you and your razor. Do not forget the raise a burr, then deburr on piece of wood etc, I can guarantee you you will very quickly abandon the method when you see how much unnecessary steel is lost in the process.