So I bought me first straight: a vintage Sheffield classed as shave ready. It was sharp but felt harsh and uncomfortable compared to my FAC SS. So I decided to learn to hone on a GD before tackling the Sheffield, which was probably backwards, as the GD was a pain from the get go.
Anyway I set a bevel and managed a shave off of a 8000 stone and crox pasted strop. OK it was a bit rough especially ATG, but I've had more irritation on a bad day with a DE or fresh Feather Pro blade so I'd say not a bad effort for a first honing effort. The shave is pretty damn good with no cuts or weepers.
What I've learned so far..Getting a razor sharp enough to shave isn't particularly difficult. Achieving a sharp comfortable edge needs more practice.
I tend to do things the hard way. That's my learning style so I'm thinking of staying with 8000 and crox as a finisher until I'm happy enough with the shave before trying a finer finisher. Maybe. I'm also gonna leave th GD for now and move onto the Sheffield. It's going to be much easier to learn on. It's a straight straight. The GD is sorta...a bendy straight.
I get the feeling I've just fell into another rabbit hole but hey, for 50 years I've been harboring the desire to sharpen a piece of steel and scrape my face of with it. The archives have been an invaluable source of information so many thanks to you guys.
Anyway I set a bevel and managed a shave off of a 8000 stone and crox pasted strop. OK it was a bit rough especially ATG, but I've had more irritation on a bad day with a DE or fresh Feather Pro blade so I'd say not a bad effort for a first honing effort. The shave is pretty damn good with no cuts or weepers.
What I've learned so far..Getting a razor sharp enough to shave isn't particularly difficult. Achieving a sharp comfortable edge needs more practice.
I tend to do things the hard way. That's my learning style so I'm thinking of staying with 8000 and crox as a finisher until I'm happy enough with the shave before trying a finer finisher. Maybe. I'm also gonna leave th GD for now and move onto the Sheffield. It's going to be much easier to learn on. It's a straight straight. The GD is sorta...a bendy straight.I get the feeling I've just fell into another rabbit hole but hey, for 50 years I've been harboring the desire to sharpen a piece of steel and scrape my face of with it. The archives have been an invaluable source of information so many thanks to you guys.
