Success! Glorious sucess!

[Attila]

Tonight was the first time that I shaved with an edge that I prepared that was gloriously sharp, smooth and took my beard off pretty much like a squeegee on glass. It was an amazing experience. I used my Dovo En Vogue Stainless 5/8. The one that had been giving me trouble before. I did a full progression on a King 1K stone, Norton 4K and 8K and then finished off on my Jnat with a matching Tomo stone to generate the slurry. I also did about 15 laps on CrOx and then stropped on wool for 20 and leather for about 60-70 laps. I was able to pass the HHT easily with the root in on my wife's hair! This sucker was sharp! I think the big difference was that I took my time making sure the bevel was set and I used tape on the spine. Something I haven't been doing before.

After a 3 pass shave (WTG, XTG, ATG) I ended up with a BBS over at least 90% of my face if not more. The only place I can even remotely feel stubble rubbing ATG is on one small part of my chin. No irritation and this is one happy shaver!

This was approximately 35 shaves in and I'm ranting about this to give hope to anyone still struggling and starting out shaving and/or honing. Things just seem to click after a while if you have done your research ahead of time and progress with your shaves and or hones methodically trying to take away something to learn each time. You build on knowledge each time and before you know it, you have a "eureka" moment like I just did! So take heart, your shaves and hones will get better!

Excuse me while I go off to rub my face a little bit more...

 

[blackhhawk]

Good job man! Huge accomplishment. Hopefully I can do the same soon. I'm glad to hear you are making progress. I'm jealous... I am having the HARDEST time with honing. For the life of me, I cannot get an edge to pass an HHT. Those eureka moments are so rewarding. Maybe you can teach me a thing or two.

 

[Attila]

Thanks Marc! I'm still learning too. The real trick will be to duplicate this success. Are you trying HHT after stropping?

 

[temjeito]

Fantastic! Congratulations!

 

[AndroiDad75]

Great job!!!! Must feel like a huge accomplishment. CONGRATS

 

[rockviper]

Good stuff!!
I'm now getting my feet wet honing as well.

 

[Bird_Flu]

Way to go!! That's awesome you were able to set the bevel! You're way ahead of me in that aspect, I need to keep working on the bevel. How long did it take you to get the bevel set?

 

[martym]

Sweet!
Congrats!
makes me want to use a straight.

 

[Attila]

Way to go!! That's awesome you were able to set the bevel! You're way ahead of me in that aspect, I need to keep working on the bevel. How long did it take you to get the bevel set?

The truth is, it took quite a while. Both because of my inexperience and the harder ice hardened stainless steel of the En Vogue. Mostly my inexperience. I think I must have spent 90 minutes trying different things....sigh, too much entirely. Knowing what I know now, next time I would use tape on this ones spine, use the 1k and spend enough time on it. I think it could take 15 minutes or so from a factory state. If you were resetting it as I was, maybe 5 to 10 on a 1K with a heavy slurry? Again, these are just estimates. Take it with a grain (or cup) of salt! Naturally someone with more experience could do it quicker.

But keep in mind this is a full hollow, not a heavier grind. Which would take longer.

 

[Attila]

Sweet!
Congrats!
makes me want to use a straight.

I would say give it a shot! Life is too short to have to wonder if you should have tried things like this or not. Like some of us, you may really enjoy it!

Just have realistic expectations, especially in the very beginning. Your shaves will not be better than a DE to start. I am finally at a point where my shaves are very comparable to my DE but the benefits with a straight are that I get even less irritation on my very sensitive skin and the shaves seem to last longer.

 

[dpmtherrien]

Congrats to you.

 

[Doc226]

 

[Attila]

Thanks! Special thanks to Doc. His patient advice over a few days, especially about my Jnat really helped me out a lot!

Cheers Alfredo!

 

[cleanshaved]

Great stuff Atilla.