Thread: Honing newbie has a couple questions

A little background...I am brand new to honing and straight razor shaving in general. From reading these forums I know it is suggested by many to send your razor out to be honed, but I am just the type of guy who likes to jump right into things and so I purchased a new Dovo Best Quality 5/8 full hollow ground, a Norton 4k/8k, and a DMT D8C. I really like to be as self sufficient as possible so I am going to undertake honing probably sooner than most would. Now for my questions...

1- I bought everything new so I know that the razor I get will need honing but not a major restoration. I received the razor and the Norton today. The stone came with a chipped corner on the 8k side. Is this common? Will it hinder my honing. Should I return it to amazon?

2- After a bit of research, I think I am going to try Lynn's circle method on the 4k/8k. The thing that seems the hardest for me personally is getting the pressures correct. Everyone's idea of firm pressure might not be the same, so if anyone can elaborate for me on how hard to press for the first 40 circles If anyone has any other suggestions that maybe be better for a novice I am open to advice.

3- If anyone can point me to a lapping video I would appreciate it.

Thanks very much for your help.

I would suggest getting your Dovo honed by a pro. That will give you something to shave with and to compare your own efforts with other razors. Look in the SRP classifieds for vintage razors to practice honing on. Nothing wrong with having a few blades to put into rotation.

BTW, learning to shave with a straight is usually enough on your plate to start out with.

Take a pic of the norton and post it for advice on whether to return or keep it.

Hi Woppa,

I'm called pinklather 'cause I tried to learn to hone and shave at the same time also. It was colorful. It held me back alot on learning the shave.

I think Jimmy tells ya right about learning the shave first. If you're unable to let go of honing immediately, I'd recommend a 2nd razor on which to learn. 'Doesn't have to be expensive - just straight (no smile), in shave ready condition (no resto needed), and probably full hollow - so it responds more quickly to the stones.

If you are able to stick to pro-quality edges while you learn the shave - you'll thank yourself, and your face will be grateful.

Okay, you guys convinced me to spend more money on another razor! I am just so eager to get underway that it is going to be painful to wait for this razor to come back to me. At least I get to spend some time finding one to learn honing on. Thanks for the advice everyone.

There really is no problem with learning to shave and hone at the same time. I did it and it was a cinch. The problem only arises when you try to do your shaves with the razor you are learning to hone on. I learned to hone well enough in a couple weeks. Shaving well took me a bit longer. Shaving well with a blade I had honed took two months.

There are reasons we make the suggestions we do. Just the same send the Norton back and get a good one.

The problem, as I see it:

. . . You don't know how "dull" the Dovo is, and

. . . you were planning to hone it according to a formula, instead of
. . . according to its own needs.

It may need circles on the 4K, or it may need a dozen light strokes on the 8K. Or it may just need to be pass over a COxide-pasted strop.

I don't like the idea of removing more metal than you have to.

I agree with your current idea -- learn to hone on something else. Ace put it very well.

. Charles

Hey WoppA, you should put your "location" in your member information. You could use the town you live in or one close by. This helps folks to know where you are from. If we know where you are from, we can offer to help you out, face to face. This could cut your learning curve in HALF.