Thread: In The Deep End

nihil sub sole novum

nihil sub sole novum

even after thousands of years, Ecclesiastes is still relevant!

Originally Posted by JLStorm

When I first started shaving with a straight I would shave every other day (my skin couldnt handle every day, and I get such close shaves there is really nothing there the next day)

Now that I am into 8/8 henckels, for the last two shaves I have waited 8 - 10 days in between shaves just so I can see the 8/8 go through my growth like its cutting through butter....then I like to wipe it on my wite shaving towels and look at the mound of hair it just took off with one stroke...is this a new illness or do others suffer from this affliction???

Josh,
You are just as spooky as the rest of us... I got a 15/16 Dorko and waited for two days to shave for just the same reason.

After too many month living in transit I am putting my life in order and getting back on the blog horse. My latest entry is about my new brush. Check it out.

X

Well-written as always, X. I also have a brush in the works with Matt. I'm in no rush b/c I'm also satisfied with my EJ, but I'm sure that when I go over to Matt's shop and pick up my little custom piece, it will receive the newborn child treatment

I want to publicly thank Josh for the opportunity of shaving with one of his 8/8 Friodur's (as I understand he has (had?) a few). It was quite a trip. Read about it HERE. It's quick.

X

Another good piece of writing. Too bad the blade wasn't up to snuff, but if it can happen to ME, then it certainly can happen to Lynn I'd also like to eventually get my hands on a 7/8 and an 8/8 just to say I have'em.

I'm certainly a fan of the larger widths. Yep, it's pretty interesting how relaxed one can get wielding one of these cleavers around the ol' visage.

well i might be all a bit new to this and i do not plan to be honing anytime soon, but what are all these hair tests and nails tests and things that everyone talks about?? thanks for your help rich

Without going into too much detail, there are three tests that most of us use when honing: the thumnail test, the thumb test, and the hanging hair test.

The thumbnail test is done off of a coarse hone. It tests for a uniform and sharp (but not keen) edge. You wet your thumbnail and drag the edge lightly across it, like you're playing a violin. The edge should bite in just a little and feel consistent for the entire edge. Then you hold the razor lightly on your nail and tip your thumb down toward the floor. The razor shouldn't slide off the nail.

The thumb, or thumb pad, test, is one test of keenness as you work on the 4K and 8K hones. You wet the pad of your thumb and drag it lightly across the razor edge at a 90-degree angle. It should catch the skin of your thumb print. You'll feel it try to dig in as it approaches keenness. If you're not careful on this one you'll cut your thumb open.

The hanging hair test, or HHT, is the one I use the most. Basically you take a hair and lightly touch it to the edge. It should break cleanly and drop away.

These are described more fully in threads elsewhere. When you're ready to start honing, read up on the tests. You'll need to learn the thumbnail test plus one of the other two.

Good luck,
Josh