Thread: Hello from Melbourne, Australia

Hi Gents,
I've been checking out SRP for some time and decided to get involved today, due in no small part to the fact that I've been sucked into the vortex and purchased a small number of second hand straights in the last few months. Come to think of it, I've been visiting SRP for the last few months... Hmm. Chicken and egg?

I'm a mid 30's engineer and father of two little ones. My daughter likes to watch daddy having a shave, but then she's only two and likes to be involved with anything daddy is doing anything really! My little boy is only five months old and I'm already looking forward to teaching him how to use and maintain straights when he's old enough.

Anyway, my straight razor journey started out around 5 or so years ago when my sister (bless her cotton socks!) bought me a really nice Dovo silver steel razor, the one with the Ebony scales and gold detailing on the blade and spine. Just lovely.

Being clueless and somewhat heavy handed, I dulled the edge immediately and gave up when the first shave felt like I was using a belt sander with 40-grit paper.

About a year later, I bought a shavette and learned a half decent technique with that. I did find though that a new blade ALWAYS resulted in a lot of nicks. It usually took a few shaves before the blade felt comfy. I still use the shavette when travelling to cut down on baggage. I picked up a new strop around the same time but didn't learn how to use it properly.

I purchased a basic Dovo razor from SRD a few months back and that's when things really kicked off for me. I've since purchased another three "vintage" razors off ebay and so far I've been fairly lucky in not having bought a total dud. Currently, my best shave is an old King Cutter. Also bought a cheapie Gold Dollar to practice honing, stropping etc on without screwing up the good ones.

Anyway, I'm having a bit of trouble with the heel end of a Bockla 4/8 razor. It's a pretty nice little unit but it looks like someone has had a go at cleaning up some pitting and there is a fair amount of micro chipping in that area. I'll get some pics and post them when I can. Hopefully I'll be able to fix it up when my Norton 220/1k + 4/8k set arrives next week

One quick question - as an engineer, I like to give a number to things. I noticed everyone bangs on about a light touch when honing / stropping but does anyone on SRP have a figure for the amount of pressure to apply during these processes? Just curious.

Originally Posted by Richardb

Hi Gents,
I've been checking out SRP for some time and decided to get involved today, due in no small part to the fact that I've been sucked into the vortex and purchased a small number of second hand straights in the last few months. Come to think of it, I've been visiting SRP for the last few months... Hmm. Chicken and egg?

I'm a mid 30's engineer and father of two little ones. My daughter likes to watch daddy having a shave, but then she's only two and likes to be involved with anything daddy is doing anything really! My little boy is only five months old and I'm already looking forward to teaching him how to use and maintain straights when he's old enough.

Anyway, my straight razor journey started out around 5 or so years ago when my sister (bless her cotton socks!) bought me a really nice Dovo silver steel razor, the one with the Ebony scales and gold detailing on the blade and spine. Just lovely.

Being clueless and somewhat heavy handed, I dulled the edge immediately and gave up when the first shave felt like I was using a belt sander with 40-grit paper.

About a year later, I bought a shavette and learned a half decent technique with that. I did find though that a new blade ALWAYS resulted in a lot of nicks. It usually took a few shaves before the blade felt comfy. I still use the shavette when travelling to cut down on baggage. I picked up a new strop around the same time but didn't learn how to use it properly.

I purchased a basic Dovo razor from SRD a few months back and that's when things really kicked off for me. I've since purchased another three "vintage" razors off ebay and so far I've been fairly lucky in not having bought a total dud. Currently, my best shave is an old King Cutter. Also bought a cheapie Gold Dollar to practice honing, stropping etc on without screwing up the good ones.

Anyway, I'm having a bit of trouble with the heel end of a Bockla 4/8 razor. It's a pretty nice little unit but it looks like someone has had a go at cleaning up some pitting and there is a fair amount of micro chipping in that area. I'll get some pics and post them when I can. Hopefully I'll be able to fix it up when my Norton 220/1k + 4/8k set arrives next week

One quick question - as an engineer, I like to give a number to things. I noticed everyone bangs on about a light touch when honing / stropping but does anyone on SRP have a figure for the amount of pressure to apply during these processes? Just curious.

Hi, Im Andrew, from Brisbane.

Regarding pressure... Im not an expert although hundreds on this site are...

I've been playing around with honing on a range of razors, and I find that for me personally, for the nicest shave, the final strokes of honing literally use little to no pressure. I really mean LITTLE to No PRESSURE. I don't apply any torque at all.

So, if one were to measure the pressure (ie kN etc), the final polish of the blades edge would be a close to Zero as possible.

If you are talking bevel setting etc, that's a different story, much much much more pressure may be applied. Apply as much as required to set the blade/edge geometry, then lighten the pressure over following honing steps until you get to the stage you are simply polishing an already fine edge.

i read somewhere that you can gauge pressure by honing on a set of electronic scales, you put the hone on the scales, rest the razor flat on the hone (ie only support the scales but put no weight on), then try to add as little as possible, but also maintain the same amount of weight through the whole stroke.

it was from a thread here, and dont quote me but it may have been euclid440 who suggested it, but it was a long while back that i read it so dont remember clearly.

Pinklather had me try honing on an electric scale when he was teaching me about honing. Very good advice. It's almost like "biofeedback," as you get immediate feedback about how much pressure you are using.

Originally Posted by evnpar

Pinklather had me try honing on an electric scale when he was teaching me about honing. Very good advice. It's almost like "biofeedback," as you get immediate feedback about how much pressure you are using.

Ya ain't da only one he did that to! Before the weighing in ceremony it had been hit or miss on honing. I dearly love it when the light bulb appears over my head. pink couldn't have heard the bells and whistles that went off in my head when he weighed my pressure and watched while I did laps. I am far from a pro but the percentage of shaveable edges has risen considerably. This is a technique I will be sure to mention and pass on when possible.

This is my official shout-out to pinklather for an eye opening experience.

Hello, and welcome aboard!!

Hi & welcome to SRP. I see the others have advised you on using an electronic scale so I won't go into that. About the pitting on the razor you have, it might keep on micro chipping as you go. That is a problem when you have a razor that has rust on the cutting edge. I have been down that road & it never seems to quit , unless of course you get past the pitting but it is usually impossible. Anyway, it is good to have you here as is any new member wanting to learn the art of wet shaving. Enjoy the site & learn all that you can. If you have any questions just ask & you will be answered, most likely by many members. Good luck!

G'day and welcome to the light Richard

Hi and welcome. There is a thread from not long ago asking about pressure as well. A reference was given from the kamisori honing translation thst did have some rough weights. By the time you are final honing you are basically taking the weight of the razor while maintaining contact. It will take a bit of practice.

Try reading this http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...-pressure.html

G'day and welcome to the forum. I can't give you a number as to how much pressure to put but it should be just enough to ensure that the blade makes good contact with the stone during the stroke.