Thread: Houston/Dallas honers?

Hey y'all,

I switched to the straight this summer, and I thought I would share my story and seek some help.

I started using a diamond edge with replaceable razors and although my face was chopped to bits I loved it. It wasn't long until I got the feel for it and decided to go for the real deal.

I went to a store run by a friend of the family and bought what he suggested I buy (a col. conk starter kit with razor, hone, and strop). I went home excited about my first real straight shave, and I prepared meticulously. I inhaled deep and pressed the steel to my lathered face. The first stroke felt ok, but when I looked in the mirror there was still beard on my face. I decided that was because I wasn't pressing hard enough, so I finished my first run with lots of pressure. My face burned and was still hairy, so I decided to go against the grain to clean up. By the end my face felt like a hot tamale and there weren't any cuts (which was weird because there were many strokes that should have slices right in)

I came here and read that my blade probably wasn't sharp enough, so I took it in to get sharpened from the guy who sold it to me. I picked it up the next day and it seemed even less sharp than before? Since that time I have been trying to hone it on the skinny little hone in the package but have always reverted back to the Diamond Edge blades.

My experience has not been the best, but that only means brighter days ahead. I do have a few questions and I knew this forum to be extremely helpful.

Does anyone know of anyone in either Dallas or Houston who sharpens razors?

Does anyone know anything about col. conk blades?

If I have to send it off to a honemeister, how much does it cost and would it be smarter to just invest in new gear?

Thanks for the help and all the great info on the site!

I think you'll need a new hone. Your welcome to send the razor to me. Cost includes postage and a post about your first good shave. I'm sure there are some members in the Dallas area but I can't remember their names off the top of my head. I'm sure they will reply soon.

Welcome!

I was just telling a fellow Texan that we needed to have a get together, there seems to be a certainly large following in this area!

I cannot claim to be a honemeister in any sense, I have honed a few that came out well, but I attribute that all to luck and my bad habit of honing while under the influence of alcohol.

It will amaze and frighten you what kind of a shave you will get from a really sharp blade, I recommend the gentlemen that I have used, Lynn Abrams and Joe Chandler (who also happens to be in Louisiana) - But if I were you I would take Davis up on the free hone offer - you can't beat that...

Feel free to ask any questions you may have, more than happy to help.

K

I will definitely take you up on that offer. Thanks Davis! Now where can I send it to?

If you organized a get together I would definitely show up.

Thanks,
Hans

I'll send you a PM. Although I'd be glad to hone anyones razor, I'm hesitant to post my home address in public.

Alan

Originally Posted by Kriton

I was just telling a fellow Texan that we needed to have a get together, there seems to be a certainly large following in this area!

I cannot claim to be a honemeister in any sense, I have honed a few that came out well, but I attribute that all to luck and my bad habit of honing while under the influence of alcohol.

It will amaze and frighten you what kind of a shave you will get from a really sharp blade, I recommend the gentlemen that I have used, Lynn Abrams and Joe Chandler (who also happens to be in Louisiana) - But if I were you I would take Davis up on the free hone offer - you can't beat that...

Feel free to ask any questions you may have, more than happy to help.

K

Hey Hans,
I'm actually in Arlington but travel the DFW area every day. I am no honemeister either, but if you want to meet at lunch sometime to chit chat and talk about technique on the barber hone or pasted strop, I am available . If lunch is not good, we can discuss our options. I am sure Kriton is much more experienced than I am (and he would be welcome to join our lunch party if we decide to do it), but I have had some success sharpening up my blades. BTW, AFDavis, IS very experienced and I am sure that he'll get you fixed up very well. Welcome to SRP and maybe we'll see each other around!

Hello....Is this thing on.....

I am in, tell me when and where!

I will buy first round.

K

Originally Posted by Kriton

I am in, tell me when and where!

I will buy first round.

K

I am pretty wide open, let's wait a minute to see if Hans catches up and if he has a preference of locale. But so far it sounds great.

Hey!

Sorry for late response. I am driving up to Dallas for the semester Wednesday. Any time after that I am good. I don't mind meeting in either of the cities, but since Arlington is in the middle why not find some place there?

-Hans