:Lol: famous last words before the ADs kick in. Once you start honing and you get shave ready edges you are a goner.
This is the first time, I have felt close enough to not feel the need to touch up at all with the DE after the straight.
A moment of well deserved pride.
Well done.
Congrats w/shave #7 sounded like it went very well ...the neck sounds like it will be the most challenging (I have yet to start w/my Str8, its being re-honed ..soon though). Did you notice any difference in the blade after using the CrOx & FeOx? You are doing really well ...it's very encouraging!
I am interest to read about how you fare with your lapping film .
Dulling on glass is to be sure whatever edge you end up with is the one you honed.
It is possible to go through all the steps and still be shaving with the original edge.
Just lightly run the edge on a glass cup perpendicular to the glass, as if cutting it. Test on arm hairs to be sure it doesn't cut.
Great explanation ...thanks! I too was under the idea that dulling on the glass was to even out or make the edge uniform. I did not consider that it would be possible to still be shaving with the original edge after honing.
5,3,1, and .3 micron films arrived yesterday in a nice box from Thorlabs. Waiting on my "backup" sight half seen from Larry over at WD. Shipping confirmation says it should be arriving soon. I ordered a few sheets of the 9 micron from amazon also, for bevel setting. I plan to read and probably re-read some of the film threads in the honing section before I actually tackle it.
One question I definitely need to find out, is why/how people are "dulling on a glass" prior to starting bevel setting. I think it has to do with making the edge uniformly even to set the bevel off of, but I am not sure. How is that even done? A stropping motion along a piece of straight glass? or like you are slicing carrots on glass? Like I said, I will read/re-read a few threads.
PS the AD's have begun full swing, and apparently I am a masochist... I just BIN'ed 2 Gold Dollar razors to hone as well.
Dulling on glass is to be sure whatever edge you end up with is the one you honed.
It is possible to go through all the steps and still be shaving with the original edge.
Just lightly run the edge on a glass cup perpendicular to the glass, as if cutting it. Test on arm hairs to be sure it doesn't cut.
It's another aspect of honing where YMMV. Some use it, some don't. My belief is that it is especially useful when you go from an edge honed on synthetics to an edge honed on a coticule or other natural. It is more important for newbie honers who may not properly set a bevel. Inking the edge with a sharpie and making a few passes to see how and where the edge touches the hones is another good habit to pick when honing a new to you razor.
I would also recommend noahpictures' journal if you want to pick up some tips for honing on film. As well as anything by Slash or Seraphim.
Beard reduction is rough with a straight for me, I think this is where the guillotine or sweeping stroke would be helpful, but I am still working on that. It might be easier if I can figure out a way to do the warm towel thing just prior to shaving. Every time I have tried it, the towel seems to go cool after only 20-30 seconds.