Thread: New member need help with honing!

Hi I have a Dovo 'Carpe Diem' which is about 9 months old and it's lost its edge I've been looking into starting honing but have no clue where to start. What equipment I need or technique etc. any help is appreciated. Thanks

P.s. Does the fact that it's a full hollow blade mean you need a certain technique or hone?

Marc

I won't give you any advice myself since there are a lot of people here who will do the job a million times better. But what I will do is recommend Lynn's and gssixgun's honing videos.
Lynn Abrams - YouTube
gssixgun - YouTube
That is a good place to start.

@Ludvig I'll be sure to check them out thanks mate.

Greetings, Marc.

If that blade is 9 mo of your own use - it makes sense to test the waters of honing. As with any other discipline that takes skill & 'feel' in the hands - your first efforts may be less than perfect. The reason I mention this is to pose the question - do you want to make all your first learning mistakes on that nice a razor?

Maybe a humble but sound ugly duckling or two would allow your mistakes w/out taking a chunk out of your pride in that Dovo. The duckling, by nature, is low cost.

The most important part being that the bevel is sound and parallel to the spine. Straight edge (no smile), at least 5/8, at least 1/2 or full hollow.

The details on recommended stones, etc are everywhere. Glen's Naniwa progression vids are wonderful.

*Strong* recommendation *against* buying some fleabag or antique store blade. This may sound counter-intuitive, but the point is to have a sound blade on which to learn. After you can reliably get a nice shaving edge on a sound blade - then take on the rescue blades. This way you get a feel in your hands for what its supposed to feel like when things are going right. The resto blades will really hold your skill advancement back.

Marc,

Putting your general location in your settings will help so members in your area may be able to offer assistance.

Also here's an article in the Library (wiki) that will help answer many of your questions and help you to narrow down additional questions.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...)_do_I_need%3F

Howard

First welcome to the forum Marc

It would benefit you greatly to read through the library especially the sections on equipment and maintenance.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...zor_Place_Wiki
Then spend some time watching Glen (gssixguns) and Lynn Abrams videos to start off.
There are a myriad of choices, if it just needed a refresh a pasted strop, barbers hone, 16k, 12k, 10k, or 8k from one of the reputable makers would be a good start.
However 9 months in there is a very good chance it will need more.
The Norton 4/8 and the Naniwa 3/8 or individual stones of each versus combination stones in that range.

If you post a location there is a good chance you could meet up with someone for a little hands on and to see a few hones first hand.
If this is your daily shaver it would be very beneficial to start.
As far as the grind it does not make a difference in what stones.
Some steels play nicer with certain hones but the above mentioned hones are all capable of producing a shave ready comfortable edge.

This here will give you a bit more on which hones you will need by what your longer term plans are.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...)_do_I_need%3F

I hope some of this helps and as you start this journey I know there will be many more questions to come.

Regards

Pat

A few guys beat me to a bit of it as I was diligently interrupted by my youngest.....
cheers

@pinklather okay I'm following everything except ugly duckling lol, I would much prefer to get my wings with a cheaper razor than to ruin my dovo but would I still benefit from honing an already shave ready edge? I just want to get back to using my dovo if I'm honest lol would you suggest having an already skilled person do it whilst I practice on the cheaper blade?

Thanks guys I'll take a look.

&& I still haven't done my profile lol

Originally Posted by MarcPhoenix

@pinklather okay I'm following everything except ugly duckling lol, I would much prefer to get my wings with a cheaper razor than to ruin my dovo but would I still benefit from honing an already shave ready edge? I just want to get back to using my dovo if I'm honest lol would you suggest having an already skilled person do it whilst I practice on the cheaper blade?

This is quite advisable,
just make sure your practice blade is indecent shape as as well.
Honing on a blade with serious geometry issues is not a good way to start it can be very frustrating.

@pfries yeah I was planning on buying a cheaper shave ready razor to practice on but I'm unsure I'm actually going to get a feel for it if it's already shave ready? Would I need it to be "unsharp"?