Thread: Question from a Newbie - How to sharp my razor

Originally Posted by Badgister

This has got to be the most long-winded forum post ever.

If that truly bothers you, I will be happy to delete it. If you disagree with any point that I made, feel free to offer rebuttal. Me, I'm just trying to help, not trying to pick fault with someone else for trying in his own way.

OP: welcome to the forum and good luck with your journey.

Cresent city razors's blog is a great read. I already had all my supplies when I joined here, so I did not follow his method, but there is a lot of info there.

His idea of "just do it and learn later" does not really work for me. If it does for you, though, have at it. But, when/if you want more details, browse through the old threads in the honing section. Find some that are/were very active and read through them. A lot of your very basic starting info will be there, and it can also help you target questions more effectively.

It has sort of been hinted at before. But if it wasn't clear, there are a couple of stages in honing. First is setting the bevel, or giving you a sharp edge. This is done on your low grit stones. Then there is polishing, or refining, the edge for comfort and effectivness. This is done on the high grit stones. If you get a shave ready razor, both will be done. Properly maintaining a razor typically just means repolishing. Unless there is some damage to the edge, you may never have to go all the way back to the bevel setting stage.

Also, you may want to do the same sort of forum review for beginner shaving. Although youtube may be better for that. I learned before YouTube, so can't really say.

Oh, beginner stropping, too. Check the forums for that as there is a lot more to it than can be explained in the 2 minute videos.

Finally, I think nothing here is as hard, or as easy, as it seems at first. But, it also seems that there is no end to what you can learn and improve.

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I think most of the guys who have posted here have a razor or two that can go out the door to you, shave ready and at a good price.
Just send them a PM and ask ........

Originally Posted by CrescentCityRazors

If that truly bothers you, I will be happy to delete it. If you disagree with any point that I made, feel free to offer rebuttal. Me, I'm just trying to help, not trying to pick fault with someone else for trying in his own way.

One of my thoughts is that it was long winded but whatever you want to take the time to do is fine by me!

I will answer part of your question below.

Originally Posted by planeden

OP: welcome to the forum and good luck with your journey.

Cresent city razors's blog is a great read. I already had all my supplies when I joined here, so I did not follow his method, but there is a lot of info there.

His idea of "just do it and learn later" does not really work for me. If it does for you, though, have at it. But, when/if you want more details, browse through the old threads in the honing section. Find some that are/were very active and read through them. A lot of your very basic starting info will be there, and it can also help you target questions more effectively.

It has sort of been hinted at before. But if it wasn't clear, there are a couple of stages in honing. First is setting the bevel, or giving you a sharp edge. This is done on your low grit stones. Then there is polishing, or refining, the edge for comfort and effectivness. This is done on the high grit stones. If you get a shave ready razor, both will be done. Properly maintaining a razor typically just means repolishing. Unless there is some damage to the edge, you may never have to go all the way back to the bevel setting stage.

Also, you may want to do the same sort of forum review for beginner shaving. Although youtube may be better for that. I learned before YouTube, so can't really say.

Oh, beginner stropping, too. Check the forums for that as there is a lot more to it than can be explained in the 2 minute videos.

Finally, I think nothing here is as hard, or as easy, as it seems at first. But, it also seems that there is no end to what you can learn and improve.

Mostly I did the learn as you go thing. I didn't do the get a Honemeister answer until much later.Then I found out my edges wher just as good if not better than his...............

I may have spent less time chasing the elusive edge.

Then again when I met a few people that didn't consider themselves honemeisters I had plenty to learn from them.


P.S. I meant to hit preview but hit post. I am not going to change it cause it seems to get the point across.

TMI......

Thank You Randy for asking the important question

Can we see a Pic of the razor !!!!

Whether it is an RSO or the Spine is worn out, it sure helps to know this before all kinds of honing advice

Originally Posted by STF

Um, If you look in Buy Sell Trade here in the forum you will find some really nicely honed and very nicely priced vintage razors to get you started.

You can be sure that anyone selling razors here is 100% trustworthy and you'll probably pay less than you did for the one in the pic.

HI Steve, agree, there are very nice razors that can get me started. I´ll need to ask for international shipping but that shouldn´t be a problem, just a little bit more expensive
have a great day!
nick

Originally Posted by NickTheSlim

HI randydance062449, thank you for the link!
here are some pics of my razors and the stone. I´m sure you guys will be able to spot the damage I did !!
Attachment 330057Attachment 330058Attachment 330059Attachment 330060Attachment 330061Attachment 330062

Oops... what you have there is what we call an "RSO", or "Razor Shaped Object". Honestly, there isn't much point in trying to hone it or shave with it. You need to begin with a proper straight razor. It doesn't have to be new. There are a lot of 100+ year old razors still in service or for sale on this or other forums, or even on ebay. As far as new razors go, you can get something nice for around 100 Euros from the Revisor website, or a Dovo Bismarck, or a Boker. There really aren't any razors made today that are both cheap and good, with some limited exceptions. Those two exceptions are Titan and some models made by Gold Dollar, but a lot of honemeisters will refuse to hone either one. I am not aware of anyone in Europe selling them in shave ready condition. There is an ebay seller named Jacky Walsh in the U.K. who sells honed Gold Dollars cheap. I have shaved with one of his edges and it shaved but didn't impress me at all. The better and more practical Gold Dollar models are the 66 (bottom of the barrel but well known), the 208, and my favorite, the P81. I am not as familiar with the Titans. I actually have some coming that I will be evaluating soon, and I expect them to arrive maybe Tuesday and I hope to get around to honing them before the end of the week. For both cheap and new, those are pretty much your only options, and they are not your best options under the circumstances.

Your best option on a budget is a vintage razor. The trick is to get a good one. A lot of what you see on ebay or other online sales venues are worthless junk, and most that are listed as shave ready, are not. When you see something you think you would like, be sure to post here. Maybe someone will see some defect in time to keep you from wasting your money. Keep an eye on the BST sub forum here, https://sharprazorpalace.com/razors-blades/. You may find a shave ready vintage there for a good price. There are other shaving forum websites that you might also want to keep an eye on.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

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Thanks for the pics ....
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The razor you have is what we refer to as an RSO (razor shaped object) suitable for use as a letter opener.
The grinding of the razor is poor and so is the heat treatment of the steel.
The poor grinding makes it difficult to hone and the poor heat treatment guarantees a soft edge that will not stay sharp.

The hone is suitable for the intermediate steps of restoring a razors edge. It is not good for either establishing a bevel (1,000 grit) or as a finishing stone (10,000 or 12,000 grit).

HI Randolph, ok got it, I have a piece of steel, the wrong stone to hone it and lack of skills and expertise: that sounds like a good recipe for success!
It seems that the most suggested way to go is to get a properly honed razor from someone in the forum and first learn to shave and maintain.
I guess I´ll start there then..rolodave linked one that could serve my purpose
have a good one,
nick

You have the wrong piece of, ( and I say this with a grin ) steel. No stone wall help