Luck was on my side!

Hello, new guy here. I've only be shaving with a straight for a few months. I am fortunate to have Max across town to sharpen my razors and answer all my dumb questions. Well a month ago I bought a 40X100 Coticule. The other day I won an auction for a DD Goldenedge. Not having any free time this week to drive across town, I decided to try my hand at honing. I pretty much followed the pdf file available online for the UniCot method. The only thing I did different was tape the spine prior to setting the bevel. I wanted to keep it looking purdy. It took about 70 x-stroke to set it, followed by 60 more after thinning the slurry a bit. Added a 2nd layer of tape, and 60 more on a thinner slurry, for the secondary bevel. Rinsed the coti and razor. Finished with 80 strokes on just water. Shaved with it this afternoon, and had a great shave! I've read Dubleducks are notoriously easy to hone, so this probably played into my success, BUT it was pretty cool to shave with a razor I put the edge on.

Yes, it is cool. Congrats on your success.

Well done - it feels good don't it?

Sharp edges don't result from luck. Take credit for what you have done.

great job! and you are correct, it is fun to shave with a razor that you honed yourself, and a great shave at that.

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Originally Posted by Havachat45

Well done - it feels good don't it?

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Oh yes it does!

Honing your first razor, all on a 100x40 coticule? Great accomplishment!

Michael

I agree with the poster above, and with Ace. There is no luck in honing, only patience, careful attention, and skill. Nice work! And on a pretty small stone, too--that makes it even more impressive.

Best wishes

Congrats! Great job.

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Originally Posted by RJD

...I've read Dubleducks are notoriously easy to hone, so this probably played into my success, BUT it was pretty cool to shave with a razor I put the edge on.

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My experience has been that Dubl Ducks are definitely easy to hone, but you still have to take your time and have a consistent stroke.... so, kudos for achieving a good shaving edge, especially with a Coti! I've got two Cotis and I don't particularly like the edge that either of them produce. I haven't given up on them, but they work better for me as a stepping stone between the 8k and my translucent black Arkie.

Thanks for the kind words. I wanted to repeat the experience, so I shaved with her again today. 2 day growth(which I can't stand) & the same soap. Wow, awesome shave again. I have 2 other razors that need to be honed, a satinedge and a J.A.Henckel 415, but I'm going to savor this one for a while before honing them. I'll report back if I'm successful with either of those two. Thanks again.

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Originally Posted by RJD

Thanks for the kind words. I wanted to repeat the experience, so I shaved with her again today. 2 day growth(which I can't stand) & the same soap. Wow, awesome shave again. I have 2 other razors that need to be honed, a satinedge and a J.A.Henckel 415, but I'm going to savor this one for a while before honing them. I'll report back if I'm successful with either of those two. Thanks again.

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Very nice, it is a great feeling shaving off your own edges.

When ready try finishing with the coti on a few drops of oil.

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Originally Posted by Doc226

Very nice, it is a great feeling shaving off your own edges.

When ready try finishing with the coti on a few drops of oil.

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Another noob question, what kind of oil?

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Originally Posted by RJD

Another noob question, what kind of oil?

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Any thin oil would work. I have been using baby oil (mineral oil). Finish just like you would on water, then add a couple of drops and given it about 50 light pressure laps. Gives it a little something else. The coti washes off without any problems using dish soap.