Newbie from Honolulu Hawaii--hey guys!

I live in Honolulu, Hawaii and am just getting into straight razor shaving. I'm pretty sick of the idea of disposable razors--always having to throw them away and buy new ones. So I thought I'd get into straight razor shaving.

I'm having some difficulties with honing, though. I've been trying to use a King Ice Bear 6000 grit Waterstone to hone a Dovo Best Quality 5/8" straight razor. When I try to use the stone it seems to get so dull as to not shave anymore. Also, now I noticed some small nicks in the blade. What's going on? I've seen youtube videos where people are able to shave off of 6000 grit stones. Is this not the case?

From what I've been able to read no the forums, my guess is that the King stones are not very good for honing. I was considering maybe buying a Norton 4000/8000 grit combo stone (and maybe a strop and chromium oxide paste, as well) as some posts and videos seem to suggest that this is one of the best stones for beginners to hone with.

Your thoughts on this, veterans?

Hey friend, I haven't ventured into honing yet, I'm a noob too. I've decided to work on the shaving thing, and test my skill in that area before I tackle the stones. Just wanted to say hi and welcome! Ask all your questions here, and check out wiki. There is so much help here, and the guys are great. Have fun and take it slow!
P.S. How's paradise. I was in Maui in September, and I sure do miss it!

Welcome to SRP!
some folks with even shave with a blade that was honed on a brick with milk. most people would not recommend it, even fewer would enjoy it. you will need a strop, it needs to be used before every shave. you may want to send your razor out for a honing, yes it is fun to do it yourself but at the very least you should have the norton stone it is a good all around tool. you may also want to consider a shave ready vintage blade from the classifieds. 2 blades are nice especially when you have to send one out for a honing.
if your razor is getting duller you might want to look at Lynn's and Glen's (gssixgun) videos on honing honing a razor is different than sharpening a knife.

enjoy,
jim

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RNMike

Hey friend, I haven't ventured into honing yet, I'm a noob too. I've decided to work on the shaving thing, and test my skill in that area before I tackle the stones. Just wanted to say hi and welcome! Ask all your questions here, and check out wiki. There is so much help here, and the guys are great. Have fun and take it slow!
P.S. How's paradise. I was in Maui in September, and I sure do miss it!

---

Thanks for the warm welcome. Things are same old, same old here in paradise. Not much going on really. Good luck with the shaving.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by syslight

Welcome to SRP!
some folks with even shave with a blade that was honed on a brick with milk. most people would not recommend it, even fewer would enjoy it. you will need a strop, it needs to be used before every shave. you may want to send your razor out for a honing, yes it is fun to do it yourself but at the very least you should have the norton stone it is a good all around tool. you may also want to consider a shave ready vintage blade from the classifieds. 2 blades are nice especially when you have to send one out for a honing.
if your razor is getting duller you might want to look at Lynn's and Glen's (gssixgun) videos on honing honing a razor is different than sharpening a knife.

enjoy,
jim

---

Thanks for the advice. I'll have a look see at some of those vids and the wiki.

Aloha HRG,
I live in Honolulu and recently got into the whole wet-shaving method and loving it. I currently use DE for my shaving, but am leaning towards a straight right now (pickup up a couple straights and have a strop on the way, etc.).
I am also looking forward to checking out Mojo (a friend's brother opened the shop!).
Wishing you the best, and welcome to the forums!
Mahalo,
Tescot

Aloha and welcome to SRP fellow newbie :-)

Hey Tescot...Info on the shop please:beer1:We need to support our own!

Aloha Bruddahs Howzit? I am a newb I hope to get my gear and start soon.

Aloha local str8 shaver, Noobie myself, been str8 shaving for a couple of months. Wish there was a local Honemeister, need to learn to hone also, without shipping razor's to the mainland. Happy Shaving

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by islandshaver

Aloha local str8 shaver, Noobie myself, been str8 shaving for a couple of months. Wish there was a local Honemeister, need to learn to hone also, without shipping razor's to the mainland. Happy Shaving

---

Howzit? Welcome to SRP I have been here a short time myself, and only been straight shaving for a week now. I am not doing to bad and I am learning everyday. I would not be a hone master but when I get back on island I plan on getting some hones.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by islandshaver

Aloha local str8 shaver, Noobie myself, been str8 shaving for a couple of months. Wish there was a local Honemeister, need to learn to hone also, without shipping razor's to the mainland. Happy Shaving

---

Let me know if you are interested in learning. I plan to give up my honing stuff, (not a bad thing, just a time thing, and if someone wants to learn I'm happy to help).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RNMike

Hey Tescot...Info on the shop please:beer1:We need to support our own!

---

Mojo Barber Shop and Social Club. It's located DT in ChinaTown. Let me know if you want to meet up down there. I have yet to visit, (bad me).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tescot

Let me know if you are interested in learning. I plan to give up my honing stuff, (not a bad thing, just a time thing, and if someone wants to learn I'm happy to help).

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tescot

Mojo Barber Shop and Social Club. It's located DT in ChinaTown. Let me know if you want to meet up down there. I have yet to visit, (bad me).

---

If I was home I would take you up on both offers. When I get back a meet up is defiantly in order, by then I might have some idea of what I am doing... I am usually in Chinatown every weekend on Saturday or Sunday or sometimes both. PM me with the specs on your honing gear if you don't mind?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tescot

Let me know if you are interested in learning. I plan to give up my honing stuff, (not a bad thing, just a time thing, and if someone wants to learn I'm happy to help).

---

Aloha Tescot, Yes interested in learning to hone my own razors! I inquired a while back @ Mojo's Barber Shop on local Honemeisters, unforunately they knew of no one:shrug:

Quote:

---

. . . I'm having some difficulties with honing, though. I've been trying to use a King Ice Bear 6000 grit Waterstone to hone a Dovo Best Quality 5/8" straight razor. When I try to use the stone it seems to get so dull as to not shave anymore. Also, now I noticed some small nicks in the blade. What's going on? I've seen youtube videos where people are able to shave off of 6000 grit stones. Is this not the case? . . .

---

What's the history of the Dovo? Did you buy it new? Was it used by somebody else before you got it?

You might be able to shave off a 6K-grit stone with really good honing technique -- very light pressure, and a good match between the blade's edge and the hone. With _my_ technique, I need:

Niorton 8K --> CrOxide --> 100 strokes on leather

before the edge feels OK.

We say this over and over:

. . . Don't try to learn to hone, and learn to shave, at the same time.

. Charles

PS -- the nicks in the edge -- that's a problem. Either the stone has inclusions, or your strop has metal particles embedded in it. You shouldn't have "new" nicks after honing.

Looks like I'm johnny come lately on this thread. I saw islandshaver comment on another post and became curious about other straight shavers on oahu. I have honed a couple of blades but would definitely like to learn more. Tescot if you are still interested in selling your equipment let me know.

ALOHA Tescot,
We're on the way there in 6 days, (Schofield)-been straight shaving for a while now, and I was wondering if there are any shaving shops around there on Oahu?
Jonnywhim

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jonnywhim

ALOHA Tescot,
We're on the way there in 6 days, (Schofield)-been straight shaving for a while now, and I was wondering if there are any shaving shops around there on Oahu?
Jonnywhim

---

I know I am not Tescot. I don't think there are any shops that specialize in men's shaving products. If there is I have not found it yet. Now what there are is quite a few retailers in various malls and shopping centers that will sell this or that cream or Siam and maybe a brush or two. I work on Wheeler AAF adjacent to SB. Aloha and welcome to Hawaii.

Thanks ed, I guess that'll make 'the hunt" more fun:)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jonnywhim

Thanks ed, I guess that'll make 'the hunt" more fun:)

---

No problem I can let you know what I have found so far and where if you want. Where are you PCS'ing from?

-Coming from FT Campbell, headed to Helomano on Oahu, but haven't heard much about that particular spot, good or bad (307th). I Haven't heard from a sponsor yet to fill us in on things, but it's HAWAII, RIGHT !!!:) 6 days to beach time :beer1:
I'd like to see if there are some old swap meet/antique type places to find old razors (straight and DE), and maybe see about trying out different brands of soap. I'm DEFINITELY going to see about their arts and craft center wood shop on post on the weekend if I don't deploy right away and see about making a few brushes.
JON

Just left Schofield three weeks ago! Nice place and not a bad duty station.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tescot

Let me know if you are interested in learning. I plan to give up my honing stuff, (not a bad thing, just a time thing, and if someone wants to learn I'm happy to help).

---

I want to Learn!! In definite need of a mentor... problem is I'm leeward & without a car :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dustoff003

Howzit? Welcome to SRP I have been here a short time myself, and only been straight shaving for a week now. I am not doing to bad and I am learning everyday. I would not be a hone master but when I get back on island I plan on getting some hones.

---

Hi ed:) Where do you plan to get your hones? I've been to a couple of malls that might have had a store that would carry them, but I haven't found so much as a single puck of shaving soap of any kind anywhere ( except for the green set that everybody has), or even DE blades except for Walmart. Don quijote has nothing but the usual, that i've found, and food land only has single edge gem razors, if that's what you like. This is a cheap shavers desert

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Megz

I want to Learn!! In definite need of a mentor... problem is I'm leeward & without a car :(

---

I am in Waianae where you at?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jonnywhim

Hi ed:) Where do you plan to get your hones? I've been to a couple of malls that might have had a store that would carry them, but I haven't found so much as a single puck of shaving soap of any kind anywhere ( except for the green set that everybody has), or even DE blades except for Walmart. Don quijote has nothing but the usual, that i've found, and food land only has single edge gem razors, if that's what you like. This is a cheap shavers desert

---

I was going to order them online from SRD, Woodcraft in Kalihi has hones and DMT plates for lapping if you wanted to purchase them local. Soaps and Creams can be found Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Macy's all carry Art of Shaving and other products. Then there is Bath and Body Works and The Body Shop they have Creams. Long's has Williams Mug Soap. AAFES and Wally World have Van der Hagen soap and products, also AAFES Exchange online has AoS stuff. Don Quijote has a 1K hone that I thought about buying I posted a thread about it on here someplace. Long's and The Exchange will have DE blades The Exchange blades and the ones at Long's are American Safety Razor (Personna) blades and Wal Mart has Wilkinson Sword DE blades. Hope that helps....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Megz

I want to Learn!! In definite need of a mentor... problem is I'm leeward & without a car :(

---

I reckon it would be worth a few cab fares megz, one to one learning would be best, and quickest.

Though saying that I have no idea how much it would cost or how long it would take in a cab. Ijust sort of imagine it wouldn't be expensive or far.

Welcome. I agree with Ed. No point honing unless someone can confirm you got your edge right. To start is reccomended for 2 razor rotation so you can send one out for honing and get a cheap razor to learn to hone. Good luck