Thread: Sharpness help!

Hi all
Just got a new dovo 6/8 bismark solingen razor and have honed and honed and honed it but I cannot get it to pass the hanging hair test. It passes every other test (thumb pad, seems to shave the top of my leg okay) but it won't cut a single floating hair. Could it be just my hair (or rather my fiancé's) is too thin or that my technique for this test is off? I'm new to straight razors so it could be anything. Don't want to shave with it until I can be sure it won't leave a rash. Thanks.

A few thoughts:

1. Honing is a steep learning curve... as is shaving with a straight. I would stick to learning to shave until you are totally comfortable with the process before trying to figure out what a shave-ready edge is like.

2. The HHT really isn't a good indicator of shave-readiness.

3. Your shaving technique will be more likely to give you a rash the first few times than the razor...

4. If you live somewhere where 1st class USPS shipping is cheap, I'd be happy to take a look at the razor, correct any problems that novice honing might have instilled, and return it to you in shave-ready condition, so that you have one less variable to worry about. Drop me a PM and I can send you my shipping address.

5. If the above doesn't work for you, see if you can find an experienced member in your area. They'd probably be happy to meet with you and help you out!

Good luck, and welcome to SRP!

Thanks for the offer but I think it'll cost a bit much to post it across the pond. I'll attempt a shave in the morning (what's the worst that can happen?) and if that's a disaster I'll have a look for someone in the area. Thanks

Sounds like a plan!
If it pulls a lot or is really uncomfortable, and you're doing the angle and lather to the best of your knowledge then don't force yourself to do the whole shave.
There are quite a few UK members who should be able to help, and a good handful of capable honers in continental Europe as well.

Could you please be more specific regarding how you honed and honed and honed? What did you use and how did you use it?

Honed and honed and honed might have been a slight exaggeration. The razor came "shave ready" and I polished it up on an 8k stone, checking the razor after every 10 laps. After about 4 shots of this it seemed to pass every test bar the HHT without a problem. To the best of my knowledge there's no blunting in the slightest on the razor.

You made a common mistake and tried to fix a razor that did not need fixing. The first thing to do should have been to shave with it, not test or hone it. Was the razor oiled when you got it? No oiled razor will pass the HHT.

gerry9793,

You could send it to Mr Neil Miller (www.strop-shop.co.uk - hand made straight razor strops, razor pouches, shaving accessories, vintage razors, razor honing and restoration) who will do a superb job of honing it.

Mr Gary Haywood does excellent honing on his cotis (please PM him here at SRP).

Mr Steve Dempster (www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk) does excellent honing as well.

There are also a number of other UK SRP members who do excellent honing

This will give you a reference point for sharpness which you can then compare with your own honing.

In the end the shave is the only test that matters

Good luck !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

I get so frustrated at hearing a newer person to straight shaving thinking a HHT is a definitive test. The ONLY test that is 100% conclusive is a shave. The TPT, TNT, HHT can be used...if you know what you are doing...which means experience. It's not your fault, but I would like to know where you newer guys get this from so that it can be addressed & those following your footsteps will not have to go thru the same frustrations you have.

I've only been straight shaving for a bit over 6 months. If I trusted the HHT I'd never have put a razor to my face. I've just never gotten it to work on any of my razors but I get a great shave out of all of them.