Thread: John from New England

PM sent....

Welcome to the forum.

I can understand the comments about learning stropping only and avoiding rabbit holes as a cautionary tale, but I think it also has to do with a question of temperament. The OP, Audels 1, mentioned honing as part of his first post, so that appears to be of interest to him.

Speaking from my own experience in starting out with a straight, being able to hone my own edge was as much of the attraction as was shaving with a straight. Early on, I was lucky to meet up with a straight-razor restorer who let me sit in on some sessions, and from whose example I eventually determined a method that worked for me. From there, I was able to bring back any number of $10-$20 ebay junkers. Learning to strop was sort of baked into the process.

Good luck in your journey, John.

Alan

Brontosaurus makes a good point about wanting to hone a straight to shave ready as much as actually shaving with one. There is great satisfaction in achieving a BBS shave with a straight razor you were able to take from lousy edge to shave ready yourself.

The key thing is to know what a truly shave ready razor looks like (use a loupe) and, more importantly, what shaving with one feels like. That’s the reason we suggest getting an experienced razor honer to get the edge right initially and learning how to properly strop to maintain that edge as long as possible.

Before you fall down the rabbit hole of RAD (by the way, there is a whole section in the beginner section on the acronyms we use ) be aware that there is a lot of garbage on eBay that is presented as shave ready or collectible. Buyer beware!

Brontosaurus and DZEC do make valid points. I guess the most important thing to keep in mind is that if you don't know how to shave with it how would you know if it is right or not? And, if you don't know what shave ready is how would you know if you were there?
I hate to keep picking on Steve but he learned to hone almost right from the start. It's important to note that determination level plays a big part. He was the most eager to learn of anyone I've ever seen.
Props out to you Steve my buddy

We all have to find our own path. If John wants to learn to hone hell figure it out. There are lots of people here to help him find his way. Trust me, it is a lot harder learning on your own knowing nothing.

Thank you all.
I sometimes forget what the internet is and how easy it is to misunderstand someone's intentions. I also see everyone trying to help in there own way and that is great!!

I never planed on starting blind

Originally Posted by Audels1

Very welcoming! Thank you all.
I'll be sending the Dovo to be honed for the first time (Any recommendations?) But absolutely plan on learning to hone it my self I ordered 2 gold dollars off amazon to start that journey.

And I look forward to asking question and getting answers on the forum.
I know this may sound odd to some but sharpening is very relaxing to me so much so that when I get stressed I pull all the kitchen knives and stones out and get lost for hours! I see no reason that honing razors can't feel the same way.
Also To me stropping is part of sharpening/Honing so I do plan on learning both.

As for learning to shave I would have though that went without saying. Every thing one sharpens has a specific task ( you don't sharpen a chisel the same way you sharpen fillet knife or a pair of scissors so to knowing how to use them will help in knowing how to sharpen them.

Thanks John

It's all good. Sometimes we old geezers like to pontificate and expound on unrelated details just to hear ourselves talk.

Hi and welcome

Originally Posted by Audels1

Thank you all.
I sometimes forget what the internet is and how easy it is to misunderstand someone's intentions. I also see everyone trying to help in there own way and that is great!!

I never planed on starting blind


And I look forward to asking question and getting answers on the forum.
I know this may sound odd to some but sharpening is very relaxing to me so much so that when I get stressed I pull all the kitchen knives and stones out and get lost for hours! I see no reason that honing razors can't feel the same way.
Also To me stropping is part of sharpening/Honing so I do plan on learning both.

As for learning to shave I would have though that went without saying. Every thing one sharpens has a specific task ( you don't sharpen a chisel the same way you sharpen fillet knife or a pair of scissors so to knowing how to use them will help in knowing how to sharpen them.

Thanks John

Sounds like you're ready to roll. Put pants on that dog and make it wiggle...