It CAN be done. First honing success.

[oakeshott]

After a total of 8 hours of honing over two days, probably another 10 hours of reading over the last week and 2 or 3 hours of watching video, bevels were made in the Oakeshott household. In the first half of the day, bevels were made and then lost and this apprentice honer didn't have a clue as to why. Put the hones aside and then took 'em out again 4 hours later and gave it another shot.

This time, I made a few adjustments. Taped the spines of two razors. Used light pressure rather than too much (my first mistake) and too little (my second mistake). Used mostly circles till it started to bite the thumbnail and then switched over to laps. On both razors, they were popping hairs and then I went up to the 4k and then the 8k and my forearm is beginning to resemble some of the less prosperous areas of the rainforest.

I want to really thank all of you guys who frequent this sub forum for both your direct and indirect help. I would never, absolutely NEVER, have figured this out without y'all.

Beers on me.
oake

 

[sychodelix]

Nice! Glad you are getting it figured out.

 

[Lexbomb]

Congrats the first shave on a self honed razor is great!

 

[Wid]

Congrats.

 

[oakeshott]

Congrats the first shave on a self honed razor is great!

Truth. Used both of them and while I wouldn't describe the shave as smooth, it wasn't bad either.

 

[Gamma]

Congrats!

Now do one without tape.

 

[oakeshott]

Congrats!

Now do one without tape.

It's a rough crowd here in the honing sub forum.

 

[global_dev]

Congrats oakeshotte.

Its a great feeling to get em up to ship shape.

 

[Wid]

It's a rough crowd here in the honing sub forum.

Nothing wrong with using tape.

 

[oakeshott]

Nothing wrong with using tape.

Guys, were I convinced that wearing a sundress would get me a bevel, I'd do that. Heck, I'd pour oil on my film on my coticule while drinking a glass of vintage red bordeaux with ice in it at this point if I thought it would get me a good edge.

I'll accumulate pride later. For now, I'll do anything that'll help me hone my motley assemblage of old blades.

 

[sychodelix]

Honestly, if you've got a tricky blade or a heavy grind, just use it. I made the mistake of insisting on not using it for a long time. Last night I used a layer of tape and BAM! Great edge.

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

Honestly, if you've got a tricky blade or a heavy grind, just use it. I made the mistake of insisting on not using it for a long time. Last night I used a layer of tape and BAM! Great edge.

I'm not knocking it but I'm a history geek. Since my forefathers didn't have access to tape, I have made a conscious decision to go without. It has increased the learning curve but it's the price of being a fundamentalist. There are days when the sundress is looking good though.

 

[jpcwon]

I only use tape when I'm honing a Wedge. Otherwise I skip it. This is mainly because I have so many razors & it would be a pain to try and remember which ones were honed with what...

 

[oakeshott]

I'm not knocking it but I'm a history geek. Since my forefathers didn't have access to tape, I have made a conscious decision to go without. It has increased the learning curve but it's the price of being a fundamentalist. There are days when the sundress is looking good though.

Get ready for the dress.

 

[global_dev]

I only use tape when I'm honing a Wedge. Otherwise I skip it. This is mainly because I have so many razors & it would be a pain to try and remember which ones were honed with what...

i keep a small notebook by some of my finishing hones, it became super easy to keep track.

 

[daverojo77]

This is my biggest fear in making the leap to straight razor shaving. I'm terrible at honing my knives! Glad you triumphed!

 

[jpcwon]

i keep a small notebook by some of my finishing hones, it became super easy to keep track.

Great Idea! I think I'll do this..

 

[Gamma]

The suggestion wasn't about right/wrong.
Tape or no tape, oil or water, film or rocks, pastes or stones - whatever the method, if the shave is good then the shave is good.
Whatever gets and keeps anyone shaving is what works for them - so be it.
Choices are just that - choices.
The point was this; Learning to hone isn't a simple process; the more experiments and experiences - the better.

“You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain”​

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

I was side tracked with the tape conversation. Congrats on your success.

 

[jred]

Congrats! I'm at the "I can shave with it" stage, working on the "It's enjoyable to shave with it" stage