Thread: Factory Sharp Razor to Shave Ready advice

I'm still new to the honing process, and I understand fully that it's a skill to develop over time. I've read a bunch of the threads and watched a ton of videos. So far I have been able to hone an old dull razor and get it to catch hairs on my arm and was able to have a decent WTG shave.

Now to my question. I recently picked up a Dovo Astrale from a cyber monday half off deal. I know this isn't a great razor, I just got it to continue my honing experiences. So what would be the advice or how would you handle taking this brand new never used factory sharpened razor and making it shave ready. Is there a basic template to start with. I have the Norton set with (220/1k, 4k/8k), a Naniwa 12k, D8C, Lynn Abrams Modular Paddle with .5 micron spray.

So how would you handle a new blade or specifically this blade with the honing setup described.

Sorry if this is a silly beginner question.
Thanks!

Well first you should not have to use the 1k at all so that is first..otherwise using the others should be the same.. I am sure some of the others will chime in who do this a lot more than I do..but there should not be a need for a bevel set..then just go up through the stones as any other..

Two very important aspects of honing...

#1 you see often "90% of honing is in the bevel set"

#2 You don't see often enough "Learning to look at the edge and analyze it to determine what direction to take is one of the hardest things to learn"

Basically the more razors you hone the better you get at it,, since you have the Norton 4/8 and there is a ton of info in the JaNorton thread and in the Wiki about how to use just that hone I would suggest starting there first...

Ok Thanks guys,
I assumed this was a silly beginner question. I'll continue again to go through the janorton thread and keep hacking away at the stones.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Two very important aspects of honing...

#2 You don't see often enough "Learning to look at the edge and analyze it to determine what direction to take is one of the hardest things to learn"

Can you elaborate a bit more? I thought the visual inspections were used to check for microchipping and that kind of issues, but not as a general guide to honing progress. I had read that it's more about the different tests (TNT, AHT, TPT) and learning how to use to use those to assess the edge.

Actually, the Dovo Astrale is a pretty good shaver.

I would recommend trying 5-10 X strokes on the 8K followed by 10 on the 12K followed by 5 on the .5 diamond, strop and test shave. If that doesn't work on a new one, try the circle process starting at the 4K and it should be fine for a new razor.

Have fun.

I have only had one new razor and while it did shave out of the box it was not a close comfortable shave. From what I have read that is normal. I tried stopping on a Crox coated balsa strop and that improved it but it was still lacking. I then dropped back to a 12000 Naniwa and did the circles and X strokes routine followed by the balsa strop again and it was good to go. If the 12000 did not work I would have dropped back to the 8000 Nanaiwa and worked back up through the progression to the balsa strop. I guess the point is not to go back down your progression of stones more than you absolutely have to. Barring any major screw ups at the factory your edge should not need too much in the way of tuning to get up to snuff. I am a complete newbie at this so take what I said with a grain or 3 of salt.

Bob

Bob

I would recommend stropping the razor on leather first. Really strop it - not just a perfunctory light swiping it of it but thoughtfully & carefully polishing the edge. If that doesn't create a pleasing shave then I'd do the same with a linen or canvas strop followed again by the leather. Only if the razor doesn't respond satisfactorily to stropping would I start grinding on it with stronger abrasives.

I recently received a new Hart Steel razor. They pride themselves on sending out a shave ready razor. But I can tell you, it wasn’t the case. Yeah, it shaved to some extent, but it wasn’t what I would call shave ready. I tried just giving it some passes on the 8k but it wasn’t enough. I still had to go to the 4k to push it over the edge.

I was lucky in that I bought the only brand new razor, Dovo "Best Quality", from Lynn's store and it was "SHAVE READY" so I can't relate, but I know that most factory's only have enough time in the manufacturing proccess to get the bevel set and out the door, otherwise more time on honing means more money to the price tag.

That's MY 3 cents worth, and in IMHO.