Thread: Hello from Vancouver, Canada

Originally Posted by moleng1

Honing isn't rocket science, and there are LOTS of people out there who do it, so why all the post against trying it??

Experience, plain and simple.

I'm very much like you: hands-on, love working with my hands, into woodworking, blacksmithing, now bladesmithing, had been sharpening my knives, etc., for as long as I could remember, etc., and so on... So I figured "no problem - I've got this!" and then proceeded to put up with months of miserable experience with sub-par edges.

The problem *for me* was that I didn't have any conception of what a truly shave-ready blade was like. So in effect with my own honing efforts, I was trying to hit a target I couldn't see. It wasn't until I dinged the edge on a faucet and sent it out to be repaired and honed by a pro that I really understood what the edge should be like. After that, I knew what I was trying to achieve, and my own honing improved no end.

So for me personally, I think from my own experience that having a professionally-honed blade early on can be really helpful. But at the same time I absolutely believe anyone with the inclination to do so should learn to hone his/her own razors. Not only because I just like doing things myself, but because it can become another enjoyable part of the process.

So please don't think we're trying to discourage you learning to hone. By all means do so, and enjoy the ride. But consider having it done by an experienced honer early on as it may help. And as Bob said, whatever you decide to do: best of luck with it! And when you have questions, ask away.

Thanks for all the input and concern guys, definitely appreciated.

FYI the stones I have are 1000 grit, 4000/8000 grit Norton stones, a 10,000 Naniwa super stone and a 16,000 Shapton ceramic glass. Also have the Lynn Abrams designed modular paddle strop w/ .5 micron diamond spray and a Straight Razor Designs 3" Premium strop.

Originally Posted by moleng1

Thanks for all the input and concern guys, definitely appreciated.

FYI the stones I have are 1000 grit, 4000/8000 grit Norton stones, a 10,000 Naniwa super stone and a 16,000 Shapton ceramic glass. Also have the Lynn Abrams designed modular paddle strop w/ .5 micron diamond spray and a Straight Razor Designs 3" Premium strop.

Those should all serve you well.

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

No everyone wNts you to be able to maintain them yourself, just past experience teaches us that unless you have used a shave ready edge you won't have a clue what one is, I can tell you that you can't sharpen a knife or plane blade better than I. But we don't shave our face with a knife edge, it's a chippy edge that cuts , but a shave ready edge that serrated would not be fun. We're all vehind you, but once you actually learn how to shave and use one hats ready you,ll never know he potential. By the way your knife hones and plane stones might not be the best idea for razors. Good luck. We got got plenty of woodworking guys here who have a lot of experience that will tell you the difference. Have so e fun, I know I thought I knew what a good shave edge is and I've been sharpening things for over 55+ years. Tc

What do you ride TC? I've got a 2012 Road Glide Ultra, big bore, cams, pipes, breather w/ PCV

06 ultra , 10 triglide and a 72 shovel, all have been taken about as far as I want to go, 100-120 horses, the 72 is still in the basket stage, first bike I bought coming home from the army, wrecked a couple times , and now going to build her back old school easy rider 70, s chopper. Love the Road Glide, I see its back again. Tc

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

06 ultra , 10 triglide and a 72 shovel, all have been taken about as far as I want to go, 100-120 horses, the 72 is still in the basket stage, first bike I bought coming home from the army, wrecked a couple times , and now going to build her back old school easy rider 70, s chopper. Love the Road Glide, I see its back again. Tc

Yep, the shark is back this year, but I'm in no rush to upgrade, to much cash, blood, sweat, and tears in the current one!! LOL

My first Harley was a 72 Ironhead Sporty!! Wish I still had her as a bar hopper, the Glide can get a bit tiresome around town!