Thread: Just starting out, HELP!!!

Check the wiki for recommended razors as well as razors to avoid.

Originally Posted by RONPRICE

I've tried doing it myself on 200/1000,4000/8000, and a arkansaw stone, and still don't have an edge that i can shave with. It is pretty sharp but i can't cut a hair by the hanging hair tec. Where can i learn how to get that right edge? ron

You'll have to find somebody who is willing to teach you how to hone. May be if somebody organizes another CA meeting you can join them, or see if Ross Cutlery would be willing to teach you.
Lynn's DVD could be quite helpful as well - there's a sticky on the top of this section, and I believe it's listed in the classifieds as well.

The easiest way to learn honing is to buy a razor that is already honed. Cut a piece of cardboard few times and it won't shave anymore, bring it back using the pyramids.

Originally Posted by RONPRICE

I've tried doing it myself on 200/1000,4000/8000, and a arkansaw stone, and still don't have an edge that i can shave with. It is pretty sharp but i can't cut a hair by the hanging hair tec. Where can i learn how to get that right edge? ron

If you haven't found it on your own yet, start at the honing FAQ index.

Novice to novice. This advice is based on my recent experience of what not to do.

I would not even be shaving until you can pass some tests. Until you have experienced a good shave and know what good prep/soap/stropping is, you should rely on some kind of sharpness test. The reason is that you will always second guess everything and in reality, everything is probably wrong. Once you have everything in order, then you can probably rely less on HHT and more on shave tests. You need a good shave first so that you know how all things should be done.

Read all you can about honing. Work in stages. My first and only hone was not bad, but it never touched 200. I only used 1000 and up. If you have touched 200/1000 with you razor, then I think your job is harder. You should read the wiki and learn what kind of tests you should pass before moving off each level. I think you shouldn't get past 1000 until you can shave arm hairs at the skin level properly, but you should double check that from the wiki.

When you get that far, then pyramid on the 4000/8000. I think I ended up doing more strokes but I am not sure it is necessary. If you have access to a microscope, make sure that you have a nice straight edge before going to 4000/8000 pyramids. I don't know how you can even learn to hone without a microscope, but I suppose it can be done with much time.

I think that at a minimum, you should:

a) Make sure your edge is straight off the 200/1000
b) Make sure you can shave arm hairs at the skin level off the 1000
c) Make sure you can shave arm hairs floating above the skin off the 4000/8000 (many and easily)
d) Strop and make sure you can pass HHT. If you can and its poor do some more on 4000/8000, then strop again and retest.

In my limited novice experience, I found I am getting better shaves just after many weeks of touch-up honing and stropping. I now feel like I am close to a well honed razor.

Originally Posted by spoulsen

I don't know how you can even learn to hone without a microscope, but I suppose it can be done with much time.

Takes the same time. You just have to access the edge condition in some other way - running it over a thumbnail is quite popular.

Message From Another Ron Price....I feel a certain kinship with the initiator of this thread. There are over 2000 other Ron Prices on the internet and so it is not surprising if 'RonPrice' here at 'StraightRazorPlace' receives a reply from another Ron Price.

I began shaving with a blade sometime in the years 1957 to 1960 at the age of 14 to 17. That's some 50 years. I may write about the experience later.-Ron in Tasmania

do yourself a favor ron and take the advice of these guys and get the razor honed. Dont give up you will not regret it. I was lucky and the razor i started with was sharp as hell and is still one of my best shavers. get the razor honed buy yourself a cheap starter strop and start learning. Most important try to enjoy it. If you make it a task yiou will not enjoy it.

Hey ron it sounds like you have a bad edge like the rest of these guys said. Take the free honing job you wont regret it. I understand wanting to hone your own razors as i do my own also. What i did right in the begining is to get one honed by lynn and it gave me a great example of how a razor should look, feel and shave. I took that razor and tried to make the rest shave as well. I have learned a lot here as will you but definately let a pro do it first.

Hey, Man, I'm A Happy Shaver....I shave with a blade with a little plastic handle in a shaving container and when it gets dull I throw it away and take another one out of the pack. My wife buys a pack--the cheapest I've everpaid--and I get enough shaves for about two years or more.....I'm as-happy-as-larry with the process and it will take me to the grave in the next 1 to 40 years, depending on how long those mysterious dispensations of Providence dictate....for no man knoweth what hisown end shall be....Ron in Tasmania