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Hi! My name is Matt and i am a recent SR(edit) shaving addict.
I got a razor this year for xmas. After about 1 week of obsessive research i have an entire barbershop worth of supplies coming to the house.
I really just wanted to say thanks. This site is a great go to for tips.
I've been sharpening my own knives for a few years so I'm really interested in the honing process. Got a 4k/8k and a Gold Dollar i can beat on.
I'm sure ill be looking for advice on the near future so thanks in advance!
Welcome to the SR club MW76! Focus first on good stropping and good shaving techniques and then when you master them, worry about honing.
The 4k/8K is a good set up and the best advice I can give you is pick a honemeister, I recommend Lynn or Glen (gssixgun) and watch their videos. Pick the one you like and follow one honing regimen. With all the different varieties of ways to hone a razor, you'll save yourself headache by learning one "protocol" and then later on learning another. Good luck to you and happy new year.
Welcome. Those acquisition disorders ADs will get you. Guessing you mean SR straight razor rather than SE single edge safety razor. All the best
Thanks for the advice! I was looking for a single source of info on honing. I usually prefer a couple books for reference but it seems like most of the information regarding honing is to be found online. Ill take a look at the vids and see what works for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheFiveO
Maybe ill just type stuff out for the time being. I most definitely mean straight razor :)Quote:
Originally Posted by dmnc
Welcome. You are on the right track. I would only suggest holding off on honeing right now. First get the shave and strop down. Honing a razor is much different from a knife.
I came from your area. About 30 miles south west. A little town called Medusa. My son still lives in Albany.
Again welcome and good luck.
I know Medusa.. There are some great Motorcycling roads out that way and i ride through there a few times every summer.Quote:
Originally Posted by bouschie
I'm getting some warnings about not learning to Hone and shave concurrently. If it means anything, i am regarding the two processes as completely separate from each other even though they are a means to a similar end.
As i have read, the correct stropping process is whats important with a shave ready razor. I have a professionally sharpened vintage razor on the way that i will be using for shaving, and will be working on perfecting the honing process on a Gold Dollar razor.
Honing is just a further progression of my love of all things sharp, but i know i will not have the skills to make a shave ready blade until after much practice. For now anything that is going near my face will be sharpened by a pro.
Welcome. There are certainly a lot of threads about honing here. I hope you spend time focusing on your shaving before you get to far into the honing rabbit hole. I have no idea why people buy Gold Dollars to learn with other than the fact that they are cheap. They do no have a good reputation for having proper geometry. There are sound $50 razors that come up in the classified with some regularity. They would be a much better candidate for learning to hone, because you will not have to consider wether or not the geometry is messing you up or if it is your stroke. A loupe is an important tool when honing and there are a couple of threads here with great pictures of what to look for. Enjoy the journey.
Yeah my GF fell for the 'its a good beginners razor' line while shopping for a christmas present for me. After opening I immediately wanted to know everything about it and once i read up on it came to the conclusion that i wanted something a little more refined to use on my face.Quote:
Originally Posted by RezDog
Also the site she purchased it from comes up in a few no-buy lists that i found.
I have a few better ones on the way.
The reason to take your time honing is, at least for me, it was hard to understand what I was honing towards, what my goal was, when I didn't yet understand or know what a "shave ready" edge feels like. After about 50-100 shaves, you should understand what a good edge feels like, and what doesn't; hence, when you start honing, you'll know what "crossing the finish line" feels like and looks like.Quote:
Originally Posted by MW76
You know i was just replying to another thread and i kind of realized exactly what you're saying. I was getting slightly distressed by the 'hold off on the honing' responses i was getting but it makes sense. Its like ordering a bunch of wood to build a house.. but having no blueprints. Whats the house gonna look like? Good luck with that pile of wood buddy..Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
I'll take my time with the honing, and wait till i can get a good shave so i actually know what a correctly sharpened razor feels like. I ordered a loupe, and figured i could teach myself what a good edge looks like, but im sensing it has a lot to do with feel as well as looks.
The best option would be to find some members in your area, here's some New York members
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...rt=posts&pp=50
A few hours of hands on learning is the way to go with honing if possible
Well Matt welcome to the support group known as SRP. You are officially diagnosed with straight razor disorder & it is such a joy to know there are others out there. Now I really know I'm not the only one with it. The Library is full of information so click on anything ya can & you will go on a journey you won't forget!
What kind of razor did you get for Christmas?
Good luck my friend.
Hi and welcome. We're here to help you on the path of least resistance to a good shave. You are right that sharp and comfortable can be different entirely. Getting the razor properly sharp is only half of it. It also needs to be comfortable on the face. Just because it's sharp doesn't mean it's nice to shave with. If you do decide to take a crack at the gold dollar read up about fixing the basic faults first. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask
Oh & I usually will advise a new member to practice with a butterknife or any dull knife to keep from cutting a new strop & dulling a good edge also. It has happened to many of us..........:gaah:
You are getting good advice. GO SLOW
Getting to the point of a great shave everyday has a long learning curve.
Take RodB's advice and find a local member to give tips on how to do the seemingly simple but actually complex procedures in this hobby.
I agree. Ill ask around when i get to that point. For now i have stumbled across Lynns Youtube channel and i'm absorbing as much information as possible.Quote:
Originally Posted by rodb
My GF got me a Gold Dollar. I have to admit i did not fall in love with it. It was however the spark that lit the SR fire in my mind.Quote:
Originally Posted by engine46
I will! I haven't found any technical GD specific info yet except for the debate concerning their value. I'm sure if i look ill find it. Thanks!!Quote:
Originally Posted by eddy79
That's really good advice. Ill try a butterknife first. In a daze during the wee hours of the morning a few nights ago i ordered a Tony Miller Strop after reading amazing reviews. The next day i realized what i had done. I went ahead and ordered a cheaper one to practice on for a bit. The only thing touching the TM strap for a while will be my oily palms :)Quote:
Originally Posted by engine46
That is the plan. I will admit i am extremely interested in restoring and honing. I have the stones on the way in addition to a few i already own.. but im gonna lap and chamfer them and then set them aside for a bit until i can actually get a good shave with a professionally sharpened SR.Quote:
Originally Posted by rolodave
I was hot outta the gates for honing at first but i think stropping and the lather and a working shave routine will be the first skills i try to perfect.
Thanks again guys for all the advice and warm welcomes!!
Good stropping technique will take you really far and is probably the single most important thing you can learn after learning how to not cut yourself..lol You can keep a blade going for a long time with good stropping
Quote:
Originally Posted by MW76
The analogy I have used many times is learning how to drive a stick in a car with a clutch and transmission you re-built by yourself and for the first time.Quote:
Originally Posted by MW76
Welcome to the fun!
........on a mountain road in winter........Quote:
Originally Posted by Utopian
...that you plowed yourself!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by rodb
And im assuming this is all happening at night.Quote:
Originally Posted by Utopian
I forgot to mention the wolf pack...Quote:
Originally Posted by MW76
SRP is proud to present the new short film about the difficulties of honing.. starring Liam Nissan.Quote:
Originally Posted by rodb
"The Hone"
One mans quest for the perfect shave.