Thread: Older member who's still struggling....

Originally Posted by gearhead222

Dear people-My screen name is Gearhead222 and I am looking for a local mentor in Austin, Texas. I have tried, for 4 years, to learn razor honing on my own using online help and mentors, but just not getting it. I taught myself to straight razor shave about three years ago and my main problem is setting the bevel . If there are any Austin, Texas members willing to do some one on one mentoring, I'd really appreciate it. Regards-Gearhead222

are you hones level ? how have you insured that they are level, and what is your honing technique ?

I draw a grid on the hone with a pencil and with sandpaper try to remove the grid that i drew while keeping the sandpaper taught. If the any part of the grid is still present than I lap the hone with sandpaper until the hone is nice and flat.
* you may want to bread knife your razor to give you a known starting point.
then with even pressure hold the razor on the hone and the bevel toward you, slide the razor to the end of the hone, then turn the razor on its spine to now move away from you, still with even pressure then when you get to the end of the hone flip the razor again on its spline and come back toward you, repeat 10 time, Take the razor and to the TPT test at the toe, middle and heal, you should have a bevel or one starting to form, if it does not feel the same sharpness at all spots go back to the hone and apply a little pressure to the areas that don't feel as sharp as the others.
hope this helps , setting a bevel is the hardest part and practice , practice practice .

+1 to Razorfelds advice.
Sharpton will set you straight and bevel....no lie.
Honestly it'd be well worth the drive.