Thread: I guess it's my turn

Awesome guys! Thanks for the info and the laughs!

I have worked on the lather end of shaving for some time. I have used many different shaving soaps over the years and have tried many different brushes. The one I keep going back to is an Italian "natural" hair brush that is a little more firm than most but I like the lather peaks it creates. It seems crazy when I say it, but I use good soaps and brushes then shave with the disposable Mach V.

I have a friend who owns a hair salon and she has a guy who sharpens her scissors. Should I contact him to ask if he hones razors or is it most likely that he would destroy the razor?

I've said it before and I'll say it again - NEVER let anyone touch the edge on your razors UNLESS they use one themselves.
They just don't know what a razor needs.

It doesn't sound crazy to say you use good soaps and brushes and use a plastic thingy, at least you're 1/2 way there. Great that you're going the whole way now. Like havachat said, probably NOT a good idea to get that guy to hone the razor, unless he is experienced in it and USES them. Of course he may be EXCELLENT at it, but I wouldn't risk it.

A LOT of people would disagree with me, but I'd jump right in and hone my own from the beginning. To do that, you need two shave ready razors, a lot of knowledge (gleaned from here) a lot of advice (that we're very willing to give and very quick to offer) a strop of course, a Norton 4/8 and a Shapton 16k. That's how I started. I always say if I can do it anyone can. I'm not a 'handy man' at ALL, but I found I could hone, with help from the guys here. There's heaps of videos on honing here, once you've exhausted your
40 GIG download limit watching honing videos, you're good to go!

As I say, a lot of people would differ with me, but all I can speak from is my experience. I've been straight shaving for a year now and have NEVER called on anyone else to hone my razors. All but one started with me shave ready, and that one that wasn't was a real bastard to hone. Two that WERE shave ready got dulled for the JaNorton challenge. Having been able to hone my razors and keep them sharp with only my own hands (and with all the help from here) is very fulfilling for me; something I'm very proud of. How many people on the bus today have done that, and are doing that, do you think? I'd bet none. If that doesn't motivate you to 'man up' and shave AND hone like a man, then be a big woosy wooster and ask the honemeisters for help :-) (JOKE, the services offered here and elsewhere are top notch, I'm sure, it's just that I'd rather pack my own groceries :-)

Before I actually got a straight I was using a good brush and soap with one of those orange plastic thingies. And still got a better shave than with the can goo and the mach III.

If you want Lynn to hone it, send it to Straight Razor Designs, he has a sharpening section on the site. That's where all of mine go.