Thread: My First attempt at Honing!

Hello everyone! Sorta been out of the loop around here. Need to be a bit more active!

Anyways. I have started my journey in honing! Nothing special when it comes to stones, I have a DMT 325 lapping plate, and a Naniwa 3/8k combo stone. So, onto my my first and second attempts of honing!

First Try:
Was on skype with my friend cudarunner guiding my throughout the entire process. Put 3 layers of tape on it.(Lots of hone wear) I did 40 circles on both sides on the 8k, (was just doing a touch up on my M Jung) and then 10 x-strokes on each side. Went to test shave after. It was honestly not a bad shave! A little bit scratch, but nothing worst than it already was! This was not a bad start!

Second Try:
This was on New Years Eve before a dance. I got out my stones and tried to hone my M Jung again. Did the exact same process as I just explained. Went to shave.......

WOW! It was smooth as butter! I was pleasantly surprised! It doesnt have anything on my Friodur hones by Glenn, but a very nice edge none the less.

Whatcha guys think? Not a bad start in my book!

Best wishes,

Parker

Attaboy Parker! You're already far more knowledgeable about honing than I am. All I know how to sharpen are skates...

Originally Posted by mapleleafalumnus

Attaboy Parker! You're already far more knowledgeable about honing than I am. All I know how to sharpen are skates...

Haahaha thanks maple!

Well that sounds like success to me. My definition of a touch up is for me a little different. For me a touch up consists of 10 laps on a Shapton 16k (20 for the Swedish framebacks with the harder steel). I'd highly recommend a Shapton 16k when you can afford it. The benefits for me are that it's quite aggressive and it needs no soaking; so it's fast.

In regards to the three layers of tape. I'm glad that worked well for you. I'm thinking that's sort of verging on setting a new bevel; depending on how it was originally honed (i.e. with or without tape).

In regards to your next attempt at a touch up, I'd be interested to know of your opinion in trying maybe only 10 or 20 very light laps (or anyone else's for that matter). After a year and a half of SR shaving, I'm finding it's VERY rare for me to have to get the Norton 4/8 out. I'm keeping a honing journal at the moment; writing down exactly what I do to each razor. This allows me to evaluate my skills and techniques, but also allows me to give very precise opinions so to speak. We often hear the question "how often do I need to hone my razor". A very subjective question. What I find I can do now, though, is reply with exactly what process I've followed. Of course the number of razors one rotates is a consideration too; I have six plus a DE, and shave on average 5 times a week.

All very interesting. Thanks for sharing, Parker, I'm still a newbie at honing, and probably always will be, simply because I just don't need to hone that often... :-)