Thread: Almost, not quite. Honing service in LA?

Michael, Not sure what the 'Magic Marker' and 'Thumb Pad' tests are, but I promise I'll look them up!
alex

Originally Posted by aleximus

BTW Str8shooter, that quote sounds like it could have been lifted from 'The Fellowship of the Rings' when Frodo and the Hobbits were at the Prancing Pony and the Dark Riders came to separate their heads from their bodies.

But probably not

winston churchill. but occasionally attributed to george orwell

Alex you are really walking the steep path for a few reasons...

1. Arkies are really all over the place when it comes to use for straights some work some really don't
2. Starting out honing is hard enough from a known starting point
3. You have the right idea to get the Friodur honed professionally first, it will give you a baseline
4. Friodurs are finicky razors regardless of the stones
5. Once the bevel is set and the razor is shaving it will be a good learning experience to keep it going with your finest Arkie

6. Once you have the maintenance down you will have a good knowledge base to work the edge from there


Good Luck and welcome to SRP
Where ever you decide to get it honed make sure they shave with a straight razor themselves, or take one of the guys here up on their offer to help

Thanks Glen. I guess it's like a lot of things that you get drawn to, you do some reading, some research, but at some point you have to jump in and for better or worse get immersed. I have full confidence in these stones. From just the feel of sliding my blade across them I know they can do the job. I did not know anything much about the Friodur until after I bought it. I also bought a Dovo, but wanted to learn on the Henckel. Both seem like good blades. I also bought a Griffon 00 for peanuts and that may be the blade I will practice on. I will take all this into account and keep at it. Thanks for the advice, it's gladly accepted.

Originally Posted by aleximus

Michael, Not sure what the 'Magic Marker' and 'Thumb Pad' tests are, but I promise I'll look them up!
alex

Thumb pad test (tpt): used to check your work after setting a bevel with your course stone. Draw a moistened thumb lightly across your blade. The edge should feel very sticky, and like it's about to cut into your thumb.

Magic Marker test: Used to see the part of the blade you are honing. Spread marker on your bevel. Then do one or two honing strokes. Then look to see where the marker was removed. You can then experiment until you are able to remove all the marker in one good x-stroke.

Michael

Great, I'll try it. Thanks

Originally Posted by aleximus

I am a newbie,
.....
Is there a good honing service in LA, or is there anyone out there close by who can either look at my process or let me watch them hone their razor?

The best can be found at any USPS or UPS address.
Pop it in the post and before you are half way through
a couple BiC yellow handle tossables it will be back
ready to go.

I did see a reply from a local who might be able to help you out.

Good point. And I want to thank gssixgun for your 'beginner's' posts. It really gets your head on straight when diving into the....er, wading into the pool!

Alex

Arks have been used by a lot of folks for a bunch of years and can still be done, but now days there are better & quicker synthetics that will get and keep a novice shaving with a minimum of hassel and expense. I still use Translucents and Blacks as Micro Bevel finishers occasionally.

I am in Orange County and can hone it for you, PM me.

Thanks all for the great posts! I have gotten some very generous offers from members to help me along here in LA, so I should be good to go at this point. It's nice to know that there is help out there for a newb. That doesn't always happen in all areas of life. Much appreciated.