Suggestions for outside honing

[CrimsonCrusader]

Hi,
I'm new, so please forgive me if I'm posting this in the wrong forum. I've been using one of those beauty supply purchased Magic razors that take the DE blades cut in half. Went that route to see if I'd enjoy straights before I started sinking money into it. Well, here I am.

My wife bought me the razor pictured below for our anniversary. Beautiful piece, but I can't seem to get a good shave out of it. I have stropped it. Even made my own balsa wood strop and pasted two sides with the Dovo red and green. Started with the green, cleaned the razor, moved to the red, clean again, then used the white paste on a linen strop. Clean again and final stropping on the leather. While it's better, it's nowhere near what I would consider "shave ready".

I plan to get into honing, but I'm not going to make this blade my first attempt. So, should I continue stropping or should I just send it to someone and have it honed? If I should send, then where? There are several vendors that advertise honing services, but I've no idea if any of them are any good or great or useless.

I also saw some work done by some folks on here where they made scales in a reconditioning project. Wondering if I should consider that for this razor or just leave it as is. Yes, I'm asking for opinions.

Thanks,
Ty

View attachment 380180

 

[CrimsonCrusader]

Any suggestions for a good honemiester?

 

[Attila]

I have never seen that kind of a razor before. Is this where you bought it from? To me, it looks more like a novelty razor. It might be much easier to learn how to shave (and hone) with a vintage razor (5/8 or 5/8 size) in good shape bought from a reputable seller either in the Buy Sell trade here or on the classified site at Straight Razor Place.

If you need a recommendation for a good honemeister here on B&B I would recommend Doc226 as I have shaved with his edges and I do recommend them.

No offense as I do understand it was an anniversary gift. But it might not be the best choice for a new shaver to learn with.

 

[CrimsonCrusader]

I have never seen that kind of a razor before. Is this where you bought it from? To me, it looks more like a novelty razor. It might be much easier to learn how to shave (and hone) with a vintage razor (5/8 or 5/8 size) in good shape bought from a reputable seller either in the Buy Sell trade here or on the classified site at Straight Razor Place.

If you need a recommendation for a good honemeister here on B&B I would recommend Doc226 as I have shaved with his edges and I do recommend them.

No offense as I do understand it was an anniversary gift. But it might not be the best choice for a new shaver to learn with.

Thanks. No offense taken. I was afraid that might be the case, as I've not seen anything like it in the various forums. They certainly don't advertise it as such. She bought it cause she thought it looked "manly". I appreciate the feedback. I'll contact Doc.

 

[Attila]

Sorry, meant to say 5/8 OR 6/8 size razor. Personally I would go for 6/8 if possible. Just based on my own experiences.

My pleasure to help. Please keep us posted as to how it goes!

 

[Doc226]

So I received and honed this razor yesterday.

It is very pretty and well made, however, it is all beauty and not a lot of function.

I did get an edge on it, I think a nice edge too. It honed without any problems, honed it with one layer of tape, the factory beel was not horrible but not consistant.

Finished it on a JNAT

Stropping it is a HUGE pain, the handle is a bit small and the angle does not make for an easy hold.

After stropping, checked the HHT and it was a solid 4, maybe a 5 with root in. I hope it keeps and edge-time will tell.

 

[Slash McCoy]

Way to go, Alfredo. I was afraid it would be another crumbly steel "kewl" razor shaped object.

PS I hope you wiped all the mojo off of it. The last thing a newbie needs is a throurpfth problem. Most jnats have at least a minor infestation, you know. Here is a video of a queen throurpfth from my old coticule.

[video]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aaMn8HkkfOM&feature=em-upload_owner&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DaaMn8HkkfO M%26feature%3Dem-upload_owner[/video]

 

[Slash McCoy]

Hi,
I'm new, so please forgive me if I'm posting this in the wrong forum. I've been using one of those beauty supply purchased Magic razors that take the DE blades cut in half. Went that route to see if I'd enjoy straights before I started sinking money into it. Well, here I am.

My wife bought me the razor pictured below for our anniversary. Beautiful piece, but I can't seem to get a good shave out of it. I have stropped it. Even made my own balsa wood strop and pasted two sides with the Dovo red and green. Started with the green, cleaned the razor, moved to the red, clean again, then used the white paste on a linen strop. Clean again and final stropping on the leather. While it's better, it's nowhere near what I would consider "shave ready".

I plan to get into honing, but I'm not going to make this blade my first attempt. So, should I continue stropping or should I just send it to someone and have it honed? If I should send, then where? There are several vendors that advertise honing services, but I've no idea if any of them are any good or great or useless.

I also saw some work done by some folks on here where they made scales in a reconditioning project. Wondering if I should consider that for this razor or just leave it as is. Yes, I'm asking for opinions.

Thanks,
Ty

View attachment 380180

You may want to think about a second razor. A shave-ready backup will keep you in the game when the one you have now is ready to hone again. I suggest one of Buca3152's Gold Dollars, or a sight unseen vintage from www.whippeddog.com if you want to go cheap.

 

[Attila]

The suggestion for keeping a second razor as a shave ready backup is a good one! As are the sources on where to find one.

 

[Doc226]

HHT off this razor

 

[pmaster]

It looks really nice, however, I have to ask...where are the scales??

 

[CrimsonCrusader]

It's a Kamisori style, yet has a full hollow grind. Been shaving with a straight that uses DE blades cut in half, for some time now. I know I'm going to have a huge learning curve with this beast. I'll post an after-action-report once it gets back from Alfredo, which should be any day now. I've gotten my prep and technique down fairly well and enjoy regular comfortable straight shaves with what I have. I'm looking hard at what whipped dog has and will probably go with something there.

I'm considering a coticule to begin learning to hone since it appears this is a one stone process. I realize as I learn I'll probably want to explore other stones and processes, but thought this may be a good start. Thoughts? And thanks again, Doc!

 

[CrimsonCrusader]

After-shave-report. Wow! Unbelievably comfortable. I need to work on technique for using this style of razor, so I didn't shave areas beyond where I could obtain a comfortable hold on the razor. That was pretty much wtg from sideburns down and cheeks. Also did atg in those areas and achieved bbs results. This was the first time using a hand honed blade. I am very impressed. Hands down, far above the quality of factory DE blades I've been using in a Magic handle.

As soon as I opened the box, it was apparent, even to the naked eye, the quality of work that Doc226 does.

I highly recommend Doc's work. Not only is his work top notch, he's quick. Had this back within a week of sending it off. If you're looking for someone to hone a razor, Doc is someone you can trust.

Now, to search YouTube to see if there are any tutorials on using this type of razor. If anyone has any links, it'd be greatly appreciated.

 

[Attila]

It's a Kamisori style, yet has a full hollow grind. Been shaving with a straight that uses DE blades cut in half, for some time now. I know I'm going to have a huge learning curve with this beast. I'll post an after-action-report once it gets back from Alfredo, which should be any day now. I've gotten my prep and technique down fairly well and enjoy regular comfortable straight shaves with what I have. I'm looking hard at what whipped dog has and will probably go with something there.

I'm considering a coticule to begin learning to hone since it appears this is a one stone process. I realize as I learn I'll probably want to explore other stones and processes, but thought this may be a good start. Thoughts? And thanks again, Doc!

Just because it is a one stone process...don't let that fool you into it being any easier than using multiple stones. In a lot of ways actually it can be harder. I would consider using a Coticule a more advanced type of honing. There are easier ways to "get it done" so to speak. But some have had good success (after a steep learning curve) with Coticules just starting out, so don't let me deter you!

Most would agree that using synthetic stones or lapping film would be cheaper and easier but not necessarily better edges. Epecially with lapping film. You can get the sharpness there but not necessarily the smoothness according to some. Though some would argue that as well... As you know around here, YMMV.