Thread: New AOS Razor

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I wouldn't automatically assume a certain brand of razor has bad bevels and you have to reset them. You need to look at it and make that decision for yourself. If you don't like the way it looks and think you can do a better job then do it. Also if the razor is doing it's job why reset the bevel. Why look for trouble?
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+1. Evaluate the edge with a loupe (or microscope) before starting to hone it.

If you don't have either tool, start with 10 or 20 light laps on your finest stone, and test the result. If it's no good, drop to the next-finest stone (or use more pressure). And so on.

If you had a pasted strop, I'd suggest starting with that.

You have a problem to deal with:

. . . You don't have _proven_ honing skills.

So do as little damage as possible -- which means using the finest stone that you have.

Charles

Yeah, the 4 out of 4 dovos with a factory edge I've honed in the last several months all needed bevel work. Shavingwise they were what I consider barely shaving, though I'm sure many new people simply struggle through with that and end up either suffering, giving up, or finding a way to get a proper edge. But that's a pretty small sample, somebody like Lynn who hones a ton of them all the time would know best what state they typically come in, though there will always be variations.

The problem with doing these things over the internet is that it's almost impossible to evaluate the edge of somebody's razor. Best course of action always is to find somebody local who's good at it and who's willing to help.

Originally Posted by gugi

Yeah, the 4 out of 4 dovos with a factory edge I've honed in the last several months all needed bevel work. Shavingwise they were what I consider barely shaving, though I'm sure many new people simply struggle through with that and end up either suffering, giving up, or finding a way to get a proper edge. But that's a pretty small sample, somebody like Lynn who hones a ton of them all the time would know best what state they typically come in, though there will always be variations.

The problem with doing these things over the internet is that it's almost impossible to evaluate the edge of somebody's razor. Best course of action always is to find somebody local who's good at it and who's willing to help.

a daunting task from what i have found.

You do need to evaluate the edge first. I recently purchased some Factory Dovo's. The one I opened was surprisingly ok. All it needed was a go on my Escher. That's it. No bevel work. I always try to do the least amount of work possible to spare wear, so if the bevel is ok, and it's amost there, I'll just grab a finisher, then maybe 10 lapps on .50 Diamond spray on felt, and I'm good to go. Of course, since these blades are done by hand at Solingen, there are differences from blade to blade, Evaluation is a must, YMMV. Here's a vid from youtube on how Dovo's are made...Making DOVO Straight Razors - YouTube