A beginners honing thread. (april giveaway)

[Martin103]

This is a good point. I was relatively sure my TI and Wosty were straight and had no smile to them. When I set the blade down on a piece of glass I noticed BOTH blades had a slight smile. Perhaps this explains why I found it difficult to get an even bevel on the Wosty and found it equally difficult to get the TI as sharp on the heel/toe as the middle.

In my opinion the bevel setting is 90 % of the honing game, that said it is very important to get the right stroke for the razor being honed.
Thats why i mention using a sharpie once you get the correct stroke that hits the entire blade you can successfully finish the razor using that
particular stroke.

[Paintman]

So I went down to my local barber to get a hair cut today. I mentioned that I've just started honing razors and the guy gave me a dull red imp to sharpen for him! I just have to say that it's really a great thing to see that there are still people in this world who will trust you with their things. He's apparently had the thing since he went to barber school some 40 years ago. Still in the original scales. I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

[epd]

Wouldnt hurt to bring your barber the stones and ask for a lesson! Assuming he knows how to hone... I would!

[roughkype]

I'm interested in seeing the Red Imp. Many different manufacturers made Red Imps; I wish I knew more history of that razor. I've got a Case one (U.S. made), but have seen German ones as well. If yours is an American one and you haven't honed American steel yet, you're in for a new experience. It's enough harder than German steel that you'll notice it takes longer.

Best wishes