Thread: New stone new to hone new video yikes.

Originally Posted by mainaman

on the last vodeo, the razor should cut hair at skin level , that is a good indication the bevel is set.
Another thing that I noticed is the stone sounds very gritty, is that just sound effect? Kings are pretty smooth stones.

Skin level but not touching the skin ? And no sound effects , that camera pics up everything I guess. I thought it was because I spent time on the 250 grit. I will listen again because I think it got quieter towards the end.

Personally, I'd be using circles. They get me where I need to be in a hurry, then finish the bevel set with strokes like you are taking.

Another tip I will offer is to change your tape frequently on the coarse stones. I like to change it perhaps a little too frequently, but if you are good with geometry, you can figure out why you don't want to start honing with full thickness then try to finish with a thinned out piece. I find that changing frequently gives me the crispest bevels

Just keep playing. You are moving slow...that is good things should start to click, and you should be able to look at a razor and get a hunch as to what strokes will be best (mostly due to features on the razor)

Keep chugging

Hey looks like you're making progress. I can see and hear a definite improvement in technique from vid 3 to vid4.

A razor with a frown can be shaved with...I guess. I think you got the right idea to fix it from the start. Now how you go about fixing it is up to you. I've never had a good shave with a frowning razor....never ever ever. Ofc, I'm just one guy, so who knows.

One thing though: You aren't performing the thumb pad test correctly. Dragging your dry thumb perpendicular to the bevel edge, or twinging it like a bow string, is not correct. Best search out a video of it. Lynn Abrams has a good one.

I'd also suggest picking out a single hair in that forest you got going, and trying to pluck it off with the razor at skin level. You're kinda hacking at the bushes with a machete there. We're looking for a fairly effortless hair cutting action. Certainly you don't swing that razor at your face with such reckless abandon?

I think this video idea was really great. Ofc I should. I did the same thing! Only I wasn't brave enough to post it for everyone to see. I just sent it to one fellah for his opinion. Kudos and keep em coming, if you like!

Originally Posted by 10Pups

I will listen again because I think it got quieter towards the end.

This one of the ways that you know when things are coming together - it gets quieter.

I'm glad you got the heel forward thing happening - I find it the most comfortable.

I use more water and more pressure than you do, however, I didn't when I first started out, so it must be a 'lack of confidence' type thing 'cause we don't want to stuff it up.

As my understanding of the whole process increased, so did my confidence to use more pressure.

I use the TNT (Thumb Nail Test) exclusively to gauge when the bevel is set and then a few light strokes to repair any damage that it may have done and then a the AHT (Arm Hair Test) - the hairs should just pop off at skin level (touching the skin is OK IMHO)

From what I have seen you are doing well - keep watching the videos and practicing