Thread: Honing review

Originally Posted by Castel33

Tyler am I reading this right? Someone bought a razor from you or your honing services. Was not happy with the edge or did something to it and sent it to another person to hone. Then that honer write you the letter.

Yes sir you are correct

Keep your chin up man. I don't have many hobbies that I would offer for a fee. I wouldn't offer honing services because A. I think doing this professionally would take the fun out of it. B. I'm not good enough with challenging styles of edges yet. Unless you need the money, why make this thing into something you have to get right instead of your own personal challenge?

I think no matter how experienced you get and no matter how many razors you hone there will always be someone who's not satisfied.

I haven't gotten the "your edge suck" yet, but every razor I sold that I had honed or if I honed for someone else until the last few months I have asked to get a honest constructive feedback on the edge, it hurts a little when someone says it's not up to par, but I have taken the feedback with me to the hones and tried to use it.
This and that I am lucky enough to have three other skilled honers that I meetup with regularly I think have helped me a lot in improving my honing skills.

Hang in there, and if you have/can fine someone who is a experienced honer you can sit down and hone together with I'm sure you will greatly improve, you can watch as many youtube videos you want, but nothing beats watching and working with someone in real life.

Hey, look on the bright side....you had enough success that you attempted to hone for others. I am still just honing for self...but have at least one friend that is going to let me have a go at their blade. I do not expect glowing reviews...but I expect I will learn from the process....and what fun would it be to hit one out of the park on my first bat?...better to have room to improve and feedback to help you do so

OTOH, if someone simply tore you a new drain and offered no constructive criticism, then you do not have much assistance for your learning. Surely they offered some insight as to what the job was lacking...and perhaps a few things it had going for it?

I have seen VERY uniform bevels that were beautifully polished, but they did not join at an apex. I offered the guy the feedback about what he had done well...but unfortunately he had failed on the first step and laid a poor foundation to build on. He was, quite honestly, polishing a turd.

On another occasion a fellow had joined the bevels and polished them very well, but left behind a stubborn burr...it was evident that the (knife in this case) screamed through HHT but lost its sharpness upon opening a simple letter.

The (long winded) point here, is that if these guys had never sought advice, they would have continued through life thinking the blade steels they had were crap (which was NOT the case).

Props to you for seeking feedback and realizing your skills need honing (pun intended) and seem dedicated to improving them!

Originally Posted by Zephyr

I think no matter how experienced you get and no matter how many razors you hone there will always be someone who's not satisfied.

I haven't gotten the "your edge suck" yet, but every razor I sold that I had honed or if I honed for someone else until the last few months I have asked to get a honest constructive feedback on the edge, it hurts a little when someone says it's not up to par, but I have taken the feedback with me to the hones and tried to use it.
This and that I am lucky enough to have three other skilled honers that I meetup with regularly I think have helped me a lot in improving my honing skills.

Hang in there, and if you have/can fine someone who is a experienced honer you can sit down and hone together with I'm sure you will greatly improve, you can watch as many youtube videos you want, but nothing beats watching and working with someone in real life.

Off topic here, but this is VERY true, PARTICULARLY in the knife world. It is almost rare that someone will compliment someone else's edge...in fact, MANY guys will post reviews about receiving a custom made knife and throw in that the edge was quite good, but drastically improved when they worked their own magic on it.

It is almost laughable at times...

Originally Posted by Zephyr

I think no matter how experienced you get and no matter how many razors you hone there will always be someone who's not satisfied.

I haven't gotten the "your edge suck" yet, but every razor I sold that I had honed or if I honed for someone else until the last few months I have asked to get a honest constructive feedback on the edge, it hurts a little when someone says it's not up to par, but I have taken the feedback with me to the hones and tried to use it.
This and that I am lucky enough to have three other skilled honers that I meetup with regularly I think have helped me a lot in improving my honing skills.

Hang in there, and if you have/can fine someone who is a experienced honer you can sit down and hone together with I'm sure you will greatly improve, you can watch as many youtube videos you want, but nothing beats watching and working with someone in real life.

That would be in te perfect world there is no one actually close enough for me to hone with hahaha that's my life

There are lots of Springdales. I assume that you're not in the one down the road from me?

I live in arkansas

Originally Posted by Tylerbrycen

I live in arkansas

Perhaps we can do a meet up in Springfield some day. I believe Lynn does one in Cape...but that is a bit farther for you.

Hailing from Jefferson City, I have pretty much come to terms with the idea that I'm going to be driving a far piece, but it will be worth it.

Just IMHO. First don't shave off of the 1k, unless self flagellation is your thing. Next, get flea market razors, ebay, cheap as you can but in good full bladed, no cracked scales shape. Hone 100 or so razors and shave test all of them on your own face at the 8k level. Do not sell a razor as "shave ready", or offer honing for $, until you know you can get a smooth, close and comfortable shave with the razors you hone. The proof of the pudding is in the eating and the proof of the honing is in the shaving. If you can hone a razor to shave 'fair' I wouldn't consider that 'good enough' to offer as shave ready .... or to hang a pro honer shingle in the classifieds. Do the groundwork and when you have the requisite skill and experience start from there. Any less effort isn't fair to those you are asking for $.