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.