Thread: honing

So i will be getting a straight razor soon and i am wondering 'as a beginner should i bother with honing the razor myself, or should i let someone here(probably Lynn i have heard that he is amazing when it comes to honing) do it for the first while?'

If it's your first straight razor and you are just going to be learning to shave, I would definitely recommend sending your razor out for honing. It's really much easier to learn to shave with a razor that you know has a great edge, and to wait to learn to hone until you have already learned to shave.

+1 to that.

There are so many variables when you're learning to shave, that it's nice to omit one: a shave ready razor.

Stick to the technique and basics (prep, lathering, stropping) for the first little while.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

If it's your first straight razor and you are just going to be learning to shave, I would definitely recommend sending your razor out for honing. It's really much easier to learn to shave with a razor that you know has a great edge, and to wait to learn to hone until you have already learned to shave.

Sound advice right there. I picked up a razor honed by a pro, got the stropping down,
then I bought a cheap $30 razor & a Norton 4k/8k to learn how to hone myself.

Kilgore, i will definitely get a cheap razor to learn to hone. Thanks all, that is going to make it a lot easier on me.

Def a good idea to have a pro honed blade so you can get the feel.

Have fun!

+1 on all the advice that's already been given.

Learning to hone takes a significant investment of time (a few weeks to a few months depending how often you practice), patience (it's not a skill you develop overnight), and money (easily $120+ if want a hone set that will take you from bevel setting to finish versus just little finishing hone just for occasional edge refreshing)...

So it's definitely a wise move to first give yourself 2-3 months time to find out if you like straight shaving before diving into the added expense and effort of learning to hone.

Hey, Mustard.

'Grats on the move to quality shaving. I suspect you're gonna love it.

I made the error of learning to hone and learning to shave w/ a str8 at the same time. It's really doing it the hard way. I don't recommend it. It held my shaving skills back alot. It's also a false economy to acquire fleabay specials and think you can save money and get good shaves. They usually need alot more than a simple honing. Since you have one already, I would have it sent out for honing, and don't be surprised if it costs more than just a honing - it likely needs some spine/edge correction in the process. Best, most economical approach is a buy from a forum member of a quality but less popular blade.

Connect w/ another forum member in your area. I would say do this early - before you're comfortable w/ the shaves. It will accelerate your learning, and probably some of the members in your area can introduce honing at some point. It's a fast track to skills, comfort & fun.

All Best on your journey.