Chin Music II: The Beast is Almost Tamed

My razor is dull or course. However, I watched the new post with the nine part video series on honing. The videos butressed what I have already learned from the Wiki and Lynn's video. I took-away a lot, but I believe two things helped: hold the hone in your off-hand to feel any pressure you might be exerting, and don't leave the lower stone until the bevel is set.

Anway, my blade is definitely sharper. I know the veterans here would rather wrestle a gator than shave with my blade, but the chin sure went much smoother today. I cannot imagine right now what a truly sharp blade feels like, but I am excited about my journey to that point. Well, when I cleaned-up my face with my Merkur DE, it felt like glass in 90% fo the places.

So, for the now, the chin beast is not tamed, but at least it is no longer trying to kill me.

(how dull is my blade? I don't now. I do not have razor burn, and it shaves nicely on the neck, cheeks and sideburns; but the chin tugged a great deal--not today, though.)

Hi Sarend,

I'm in a similar boat to you, still learning to tame the beast, but I'm enjoying this so much. I recently stopped shaving with my straight because it was way too dull, even I, a beginner could tell. Then I picked up a barber hone from the bay and a Chinese 12K. I took my razor to the barber hone and wow what a difference. It's still not great, and I like your comment about how the veterans here would rather wrestle a gattor, mine's most likely the same there. I still can't believe what a difference the barber hone made.

Learning so many things at once makes it hard for a beginner to know where the problem is, but I think both my razor and my ability is coming a long at a good rate. ;)

Jer

The end will be worth the journey. It is like looking down the barrel of basic training, advanced infrantry and airborne training. You know it will be difficult, but you keep going each day. When you complete the journey, you are glad you did it.


I will keep reading posts, re-reading Wiki and watching videos for the ump-teenth time until I get it. I have to do this. I am in a small town a few hours drive from any other member who can help. As they say in teh army, "Suck it up and drive-on with the mission."