Offering a Sharpening Service In Our Store?

[Alera]

Hello, I'm moderately new to honing and restoring straight razors, but my shop would like to start offering it as a local service. We wanted to know what materials are required to be able to fully restore and fully sharpen.
Current setup:

Combination India
400/1000 grit DMT (we figured we would use this for the occasional pocket knife that comes in and needs to be resharpened)
Soft Arkansas
Hard Arkansas
Black Arkansas
--------------
Green buffing compound
Red buffing compound
Leather strop
Honing oil (combo of kerosene and mineral oil)

We only have a slight clue of what tools are involved in restoration, and would prefer a more educated idea on this front. We're only a small shop, would prefer to stay away from expensive power tools if they are out of budget for now, so alternative tools are a welcome option.

I can get straights to a hair cutting edge with this combination of tools with relative ease. Is there anything that I'm missing on that front?

[bouschie]

First where are you located.
Second. If you never honed a razor before you are not going to be proficient enough to hone for others. It takes time to learn effectively.
Third. If you never refurbished or restored a razor before you can quickly turn a masterpiece into a pile of junk.

Get some junkers and practice restoration a D honeing. Most important is check out the library. Read and watch videos. Learning what and how to do it right will save a lot of headaches later.

[Alera]

1. Colorado Springs, Colorado.

2. I've been doing just that. I didn't realize that I didn't explicitly state it, but I've been sharpening on my own time with this setup for about a month, and can easily pop hairs with a straight. I've practiced with a dozen or so different edges, and all of them can confidently cut well.

3. I have already done a significant amount of research on restoration of straight razors, I simply came here seeking an opinion on optimal setup. I understated my knowledge in restoration so that I could coax a more detailed answer out of someone in regard to restoration.

[dinnermint]

I would have people check your edges to see how good they are before you start offering services. This will prevent dissatisfied customers. Your best bet would be thick, synthetic hones. The chosera/professional line has gotten many complements. However, you may have pickier customers that want specific edges, so you may want to think about becoming adept with other naturals and slurry.

What does your store do now?

[gssixgun]

You just missed the Annual Mile High meet in Denver last month

You would have learned more in a few hours there then in months of reading and watching Vids

There is quite a large Colorado contingent, maybe a couple can help you get on the right path

[BobH]

[QUOTE=Alera;1658029]
2. I've been doing just that. I didn't realize that I didn't explicitly state it, but I've been sharpening on my own time with this setup for about a month, and can easily pop hairs with a straight. I've practiced with a dozen or so different edges, and all of them can confidently cut well.
QUOTE]

Just to be clear, you have been shaving daily with a straight razor for about a month with these hair popping edges and getting good irritation free shaves? OTH do you mean you been playing around for a month and are getting hair popping edges without actually shaving with a straight razor.

There can be a huge difference. A straight razor will cut hair off a good bevel set before going up the progression of higher grit hones. I really would not care to shave off that edge. The shave is the ultimate test of a honing job.

Bob

[bouschie]

It was not my intention to offend you. We have had many start honing expecting to master it in a short time. Popping hair on the arm is not the same as truly shave ready. Have a razor honed by Lynn and compare the shave to one or yours. You may be doing it perfectly OK, but without a professionally honed razor to compare it to you will never know.

When I started straight razor shaving over 20 years I honed my own. Figured I sharpened knives why not a razor. Thought I was doing good. One day went a little further with a finer stone and proper pressure. What a difference. Even today I learn new things about honeing.

Please accept my apologies and best of luck.

[Alera]

It was not my intention to offend you. We have had many start honing expecting to master it in a short time. Popping hair on the arm is not the same as truly shave ready. Have a razor honed by Lynn and compare the shave to one or yours. You may be doing it perfectly OK, but without a professionally honed razor to compare it to you will never know.

When I started straight razor shaving over 20 years I honed my own. Figured I sharpened knives why not a razor. Thought I was doing good. One day went a little further with a finer stone and proper pressure. What a difference. Even today I learn new things about honeing.

Please accept my apologies and best of luck.

You're fine! the response came off a bit abrasive but I knew you meant well. Thanks for taking the time to keep me on the right track!

[Alera]

[QUOTE=BobH;1658035]

2. I've been doing just that. I didn't realize that I didn't explicitly state it, but I've been sharpening on my own time with this setup for about a month, and can easily pop hairs with a straight. I've practiced with a dozen or so different edges, and all of them can confidently cut well.
QUOTE]

Just to be clear, you have been shaving daily with a straight razor for about a month with these hair popping edges and getting good irritation free shaves? OTH do you mean you been playing around for a month and are getting hair popping edges without actually shaving with a straight razor.

There can be a huge difference. A straight razor will cut hair off a good bevel set before going up the progression of higher grit hones. I really would not care to shave off that edge. The shave is the ultimate test of a honing job.

Bob

I personally don't shave with the razors. Our store is actually a beard grooming store first and foremost, so I need to keep my beard. I cut hair on my arm and forearm in order to determine sharpness, but is there a way to get a sharp, shaveable edge without shaving with them? we plan to give about 3 of my razors to the barbers we are partnered with to test with, and their opinion is highly regarded in the local barber scene. Plus, i feel as if shaving with every customer's blade could be somewhat disrespectful or unhygienic and moderately time consuming on my part.

[Alera]

I would have people check your edges to see how good they are before you start offering services. This will prevent dissatisfied customers. Your best bet would be thick, synthetic hones. The chosera/professional line has gotten many complements. However, you may have pickier customers that want specific edges, so you may want to think about becoming adept with other naturals and slurry.

What does your store do now?

I have the setup of oilstones aforementioned. What are the benefits to synthetic stones over my oilstones? longevity?