Thread: 4 hours on 3k, and still not enough

Hi everyone

I really hope to get some help with my honing.
I bought a brand new razor (Puma from Solingen) and a Japanese water stone grit 3000/8000 (apparently you cannot buy grit 4000/8000 here in Denmark).
I've watched several videos on youtube about honing, and read the guides here on SRP. I've spent 4 evenings on the 3k (almost 4 hours in total), but I still can't get that bevel made.
Sometimes part of the edge has seemed ready for the next step, but then after some more honing the whole edge is dull again. I try not to put any pressure on the blade while honing.

Has anyone got a suggestion about what to do, cause I'm getting at bit desperate?

Kindly, Emil

Hi Emil,

A brand new razor with factory edge usually don't need a lot of work to shave well, it sounds to me like you might have a case of overhoning and most likely the edge needs to be fully reset to get shave ready.

I've never tried setting a bevel on the 3K, it should be possible, but it will take some time.

My best recommendation for you at this point is to send it to someone for honing.

Thank you for answering

If it is overhoned, shouldn't I be able to feel it then? I've read that it would feel rough, and that is not the case. I think I get some parts of the blade sharp enough. And that is what confuses me. You are meant to continue until all of the blade is sharp without putting more pressure on some part of the blade, right?

I wouldn't possibly know who to contact to get it honed. I've never heard of anyone other than me shaving with a straight razor in Denmark, and I found only one internet shop in the whole country that sold straight razors. Even my the one I have now with DE blades I bought i Brazil. That's unfortunately not a good option for me.

Hi Bemil

First off can we get a little bit of background? how long have you been shaving for with straights etc?

Just so we can get a little context then we can be begin figuring out whats happened with that edge.

Any honers out there in the same vicinity as bemil?

Cheers

Simon

I've been shaving for about 4 months with a straight razor (once or twice a week). I have no experience with honing razors, but I can manage to hone knives (on grits i reckon are about 200 - 400), and I have honed wood chisels a lot of times, but that is completely different.

I don't know if I just need to continue on the 3k, maybe with a slightly more pressure.

No, i think you should take a step back for now. increasing pressure will deflect the blade more, shallow out the honing angle and you will just end up taking metal off the bevel "shoulder" without actually contacting the edge.

how many razors do you have, and how many of them are shave ready (professionally honed)

I didn't know they still make Puma. I thought they're all vintage.

Originally Posted by tekbow

No, i think you should take a step back for now. increasing pressure will deflect the blade more, shallow out the honing angle and you will just end up taking metal off the bevel "shoulder" without actually contacting the edge.

how many razors do you have, and how many of them are shave ready (professionally honed)

What do you mean by taking a step back? I am still at the first grit (3k). Unless I need to buy a 1k. I thought it would be possible to set the bevel with the one that I have.

I put nearly no pressure on it now, so be slightly more pressure I mean just a little.

I have only on other razor, but it uses DE blades, which I throw away after 3/4 times of shaving. I have never tried a real straight razor yet.

Well, thank you very much for taking your time to answer. I'll be off to bed now, at nearly 1 am here, but I'll be looking forward to reading your answer later.

Gnolis, there is a company producing the puma brand now, not sure what the quality is like compared to vintage ones.

Bemil, sorry, figure of speech, i meant stop doing anything to it for now because you could do more damage to it.

Ok so thats good info you've provided, tells a lot. First of all the first thing i think you should do is go to the classifieds and buy a shave ready straight razor from there.

At this point you have no context, no idea what shave ready "sharp" feels like and therefore can't adequately judge the quality of the edge you've got right now on the razor. It's ok, we were all there and we've all had a first honing attempt but, importantly, if you haven't used an atcual straight then you haven't done any stropping, the technique of which is a foundation of honing strokes.

My honest opinion here is you've damaged that edge and it's going to need a proper honing from a froum member etc. As you said yourself, honing a straight is nothing like honing knives etc and they're an infinitely more delicate instrument. there's actually too many variables to consider at the moment if you know what i mean, could be one or a combination of any number of things

It's ok, don't worry, this is a huge learning curve and all of us have made mistakes at the start.

Put that razor aside and go to the classifieds.

Cheers

Simon

+1 on Simon's advice. I had a similar experience with my first Dovo razor a few years ago - just couldn't get that bevel set properly, and made things worse by stripping way too much steel off the blade. Lynn Abrams of this forum kindly fixed it for me. In your case, you might consider contacting Puma in Germany directly, looks like they offer sharpening and repair service. Info here: Frequently asked questions of Puma knives Solingen Germany

A second shave-ready razor is definitely good to have. Also, if you can find an older razor of lower value, that might be a good blade on which to practice your honing and bevel-setting skills. To set a bevel, I have found it easier to use a 1k stone. Also, make sure to lap all your stones properly -- if you're seeing uneven wear on the blade, the stones may not be quite flat (I know that mine were not at first)...

All the best!