Thread: The Famous/Infamous Norton 4/8 "JaNorton 2012"

I fell off the wagon a few days ago, firstly by using other razors, and then on the weekend by breaking out the Shapton 16k, but I learnt a LOT:

• Do the research, learn from the experts, I don't have to challenge EVERY thought out there and prove it right or wrong myself...
• Get a proper flattening stone
• You CAN modify things a bit. I still like my method of diagonal strokes, toe to the LH top corner from bottom RH corner, flip, toe to the LH bottom corner from the RH top corner, but I learnt (via someone who told me here; I forget who) that you can't do straight up and back as the hone may not be flat, and diagonal strokes means all parts of the blade come across all parts of the hone...
• Make a plan, stick to it. Otherwise you'll end up doing goodness knows what and you won't know WHAT you've done. If it works, you won't be able to repeat it, and if it doesn't you won't be able to NOT do it again.
• On a related note, document the process.
• Using only two razors for an extended period really does allow you to get to know the razors, and you build a 'relationship'. Same deal for the hone, really.
• Use a texta (magic marker) on the edge.
• The only REAL test is to do a REAL shave, but shaving arm (or, for me, leg) hair is a good substitute.

I had a good time, and really did learn heaps. Thanks gssixgun for the idea, I really appreciate it...

Well JaNorton Gents, the month has come to an end and it looks like everyone obeyed the only rule we had during this adventure, "Have Fun"
I think everyone learned a bit through this, the least of which is that we can actually enjoy a shave with just an 8k edge...

I appreciate all the contributions from everyone during this past month, this thread will be a link for many Newbie questions I am pretty sure

I am going to watch Alcatraz with the wife on the DVR then I am going to go have a final shave with both razors one on each side of the face

Janorton is for life yo


[

QUOTE=gssixgun;915686]Well JaNorton Gents, the month has come to an end and it looks like everyone obeyed the only rule we had during this adventure, "Have Fun"
I think everyone learned a bit through this, the least of which is that we can actually enjoy a shave with just an 8k edge...

I appreciate all the contributions from everyone during this past month, this thread will be a link for many Newbie questions I am pretty sure

I am going to watch Alcatraz with the wife on the DVR then I am going to go have a final shave with both razors one on each side of the face [/QUOTE]



Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk

Thanks, Glen, it's been, as you said, "fun".

Rick

Glen - This was a great idea. Thank you for implimenting it and opening us to a new "old" process. I had a lot of fun and look forward to any new project you come up with.

This was the most fun I've had while holding a razor to my throat yet and that's saying something anymore. It was a very learning packed experience and was also a welcome respite in an otherwise excessively hectic month now back to my regularly scheduled winter lethargy.

Overall this has been an interesting idea and experience. Thanks to everyone for their comments and suggestions. A couple of things I am going to take away from this.

To start with, get the basics down. By limiting ourselves it forced us to examine our skills and habits. The latest and greatest hone or pasted strop isn't going to solve all our problems. Get the best you can out of that blade before you decide that 1/4 or 1/2 hollow ground or brand isn't for you. If you can't get the shave you want maybe it is your shaving technique that could use some fine tuning.

For me personally I am surprised that a thread on honing has got me more interested in stropping. When I got what I felt was the best that "I" could get out of the hones the influence of the strop on shaveability became more apparent.


Tim

My contributions to the thread were lax, but I did the good thing and mostly shaved with my 2 spikes all month. I must admit to also using my Clauss and my Friodur as my side shavers, as my friend Rene honed them for me, and they are fantastic shavers.

Now, my conclusion to JaNorton is as follows: The Spikes did fine for the first 5 shaves each, after that they began to pull quite a bit. I did more than touch ups, I re-honed them both half way thru the month, and again had great success. They lasted the month, and I was really pleased and quite proud that they were MY honing jobs I used. I even honed a few other of my razors using only the Nortons and had very good success. My only failures were a new G&F that I just cannot get to take a bevel, and a Mandarin razor with quite the smile that again I could not get a bevel set.

Other than those two failures, the other 5 razors that I honed (this includes my 2 Spikes I used for the month) came out quite nice.

What a great feeling to set the bevel and polish the edge to a shavable state. Now I'm going to graduate to my C12k afterwards and see if it enhances the edges any. I'm going to take this step very slowly and hope to build on what I've learned here.

Very enjoyable, and a great source of education and information. Thank you Glen, great Idea!!

Oh ya, and I love your little dog in the video!!

Mike

I shaved this morning with the Genco after stropping 100 on linen and 100 on leather on the same Illinois strop. Good shave, although not as good as the Hoffritz. While the Hoffritz felt smoother it left a bit of 'sting' for the alum block; the Genco felt a bit rougher to the face, but there was absolutely no sting, and here I am at noon time without any rash or redness.

Odd results, though. My cheeks, jaw and neck is still BBS, but my upper lip and chin are rougher than normal and if I look close in the mirror I can see it's not as close a shave.

Small bad news. After stropping I noticed that at the very heel of the Genco there's some jaggedness to the edge that wasn't there when I got done honing. I'll try to get a pic, but I'm pretty sure I'll have to take this to the 1K to get rid of it and then re-hone. I still shaved, but was very careful to avoid the heel. I sure hope I can fix this.

Best,



Marcos

Well its been a fun month, learn a lot, tried new things, shaved all month with the 8k edge witch was pretty good i must say,
now going back with the 2 razors used in the Janorton on finishing stone was nice as well ,probably brought the edge better then
before, having the edge shave ready at 8k makes a difference when hitting the finishing stone for sure.
Im sure this thread will be referred many times and im glad i was part of it.