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Quick introduction.....
I am a complete newbie who started shaving with a straight razor about 4 months ago....transitioning from safety to straight and loving it!
I originally started with a Parker shavette and took the plunge with a Dovo 5/8 full hollow. I am much more comfortable with the shave and with less nicks but my nemesis is honing the razor. I just can't get a shave ready sharpness (or something resembling the sharpness of my parker with a Feather blade).
If you have never honed a razor before watch the videos. You can find people that hone razors on this site. Might be one in your area. Better to get it done professionally. If you insist on doing it yourself you will need to purchase stones in different grits. One to set bevel, a medium one and a finishing stone.
Greetings,hkopper. Welcome to Straight Razor Place!
Welcome to a 'New' but 'Older' way of shaving.Quote:
Originally Posted by hkopper
If I am to understand correctly you have experience with using a DE so you have a basic understanding of pre-shave prep/later etc.
First and Foremost, this Age Old Art takes Patience. If you don't have Patience then you will fail.
You say that you are attempting to hone the razor. That's the last thing in the Line of Learning that you need to worry about. First learn the angles and how to achieve a Smooth Close and Comfortable Shave.
As a former Meat Cutter I 'Knew' that sharpening a razor would be No Problem!! Guess What? PROBLEM!!!!!! Everything that I knew about 'sharpening' a knife was next to useless when it came to 'honing' a razor. For an example; I never new that I would need to 'Start' honing on a 1k grit stone! Hell that's close to the end of where I would 'Finish' sharpening a knife!
My Counsel is to send your razor out for a Professional Honing then take the time to learn the angles, stropping and all of the other Basics that are needed to succeed in this age old art.
Then and Only Then 'think' about learning to hone.
I don't want to discourage you, I want you to succeed :y
This Art just takes Time and Patience.
Enjoy the Ride :tu
It's a Long Strange Trip but it's Well Worth The Journey
ps While I hone for myself and for others I do have a favorite Pro/PM me if you would like to contact him.
Hello, and welcome to SRP!! :chapeau
Thanks gents, I believe sending the razor to a pro would be the best choice. I have a 1k King and a Norton 4/8k combo stone that I have been using for the past month but with little success. I do manage to sharpen the razor but not to the point where a strand of hair will pop when I slide it on the blade. I guess patience is the key.
I guess my main issue is knowing when to transition from one stone to the next. I don't think the angle is an issue as I am using a full hollow blade so I just rest it flat on the stone.
I wish there were a workshop that I could attend within my area to teach me first hand on the basics.
Here is a link that will help you find other SRP members in your area, just insert your location and hit search now. Note that the user name listing in red is a mentor, if you should need any personal help.
Thanks LexTac!
You are welcome my friend.Quote:
Originally Posted by hkopper
yep take the road to success ,, learn how to shave and strop first! your still a long way from having that down , to where you can actually judge an edge, then learn to refresh, then learn to hone,, but even then its not nessecary I have been doing this for 2 years and I send my razors to a pro ,, doesn't cost as much as hones and I get perfect edges from my honemeisters every time.if you pm me ill give my recommendations on 2 guys who can hone ,, one has already posted here with great advise. and honing after you learn to shave and strop is something that takes years sometimes before you need to do it. as Lextac said if you post your location how can we guide you to the right people? good luck , and put the hones up for now and concentrate on one thing at a time till you know what a shave ready edge is every time tc
Hi and welcome. Best advice is as said learn on a pro honed blade. Learn to hone on a different blade and find a local to help. There is a list of local help and mentors and that will be the best place to start. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask
Thanks again to all for the friendly welcome and sound advice.
As has been mentioned, honing is a skill that will take much practice to perfect. There are many excellent honemeisters here, and lots of good info. My advice is to learn everything about using and stropping the razor first, and then move on to learning how to hone it, thus sending it away now to have it professionally sharpened. Welcome, and good luck!