First shave with self honed razor

bbshriver · 07-22-2008, 03:12 AM

Well my Norton came in today, so I decided to put my Loxley on it and see if I could get a good shaver. The razor *would* shave before, but it was major razor burn and not all that pleasant although the razor has a wonderful feel to it, so it was always tempting to use it.

Anyway, since it was possible to shave with it, I went pretty light on it overall.. couple quick passes on the glass hone with 2k grit sandpaper , 5 passes at 4K, 10 at 8K... checked it on my arm.. back for another 10 passes at 4K then 20 at 8k. Closer now so another 5/10. At that point it would cut through the free standing arm hair (a few mm away from my arm), so I touched it real quick to the CrO strop, and then took it for a test drive. Also, using my new tub of Castle Forbes cream.

So I got a *decent* shave... not my best shaving razor, there's still room for improvement, but its about 100x better than before tonight. Still a slight feeling of accomplishment since I haven't done any others myself

kelbro · 07-22-2008, 03:34 AM

Sounds like you are very close! Don't give up. Try a few more passes on the chrome-ox. If that doesn't do it, go back to the Norton and the chrome-ox another time or two.

I didn't read any plain leather stropping in your report. Did you strop on plain leather? It's a good finisher.

Ockham · 07-22-2008, 08:14 AM

Excellent! I had the same experiment a few days ago! it is quite a nice feeling of "achievement" to shave with a self honed razor (even if we are not yet up to Lynn's level

)
So, on with the next one!

Kees · 07-22-2008, 09:30 AM

Sounds like nirvana is on the horizon!

bbshriver · 07-22-2008, 01:13 PM

Yes, I did plain leather strop. Didn't list that, as I consider that part of the shaving routine, not part of the honing technique.
I think I'll try to retouch this one soon, and see if I can get to where I'm real happy with it, then maybe start retouching some of my "old trustys" since none of them have been honed since I've had them (going on 6 months worth of str8 shaving now).

Agoge1 · 07-24-2008, 01:04 PM

Its also worth stropping a bit more then you usualy would when you have a freshly honed razor. I also strop on newspaper as a finishing technique before the leather (but only after honing) .

As always YMMV though......

sebell · 07-25-2008, 01:52 AM

Great job, actually _improving_ an edge during your first time honing is probably
more of an accomplishment than you think

- Scott

netsurfr · 07-25-2008, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebell

Great job, actually _improving_ an edge during your first time honing is probably
more of an accomplishment than you think

- Scott

+ 1 Good job! You will get there...

poona · 07-25-2008, 11:16 PM

Excellent mate. Going 'light' is what you should always be doing. Try going even lighter and you might find your shaves get better

Good luck!

Utopian · 07-26-2008, 03:35 AM

Congrats on your success! Hopefully you lapped your new Norton. If not, you should definitely do so as there is not guarantee that they will be flat just because they are new. I have bought 7 Nortons and all needed quite a bit of initial lapping.

bbshriver · 07-26-2008, 04:59 AM

I lapped it at 400 and 600 grit on my glass hone. Seems to have done a pretty good job, though I might touch up the edges a bit to soften the angle.

zenshaver · 07-26-2008, 01:24 PM

I honed my own razor too. You gotta love it. I am waiting some chromium ox and then I will see if I can get an even better shave. So, it can be done.

cannonfodder · 07-27-2008, 11:53 PM

I actually find the second shave better than the first from a freshly honed razor. Don’t know why, but the first shave can be a little rough at times. The second shave, the edge has settled in and glides smoother. More passes on leather may take care of that issue as well. After finishing the stones (up to 8K) I give them 30 passes on chromium oxide and 50 passes on leather. Stainless blades I will give a few more passes, if the razor has softer steel (old vintage blades) I will give it fewer passes on the CO.

bbshriver · 07-29-2008, 02:32 PM

Ran this razor over the 8k for a few more laps, and then CrO a few more laps, then 50 on the plain leather. Now passes HHT the best of any of my razors, and gave a pretty decent shave. I just did a quick and dirty one pass WTG last night, so I wasn't able to evaluate the full effect, but I think it's darn close!

zenshaver · 07-29-2008, 03:56 PM

I just got my chromium loom strop and it definitely gave me a better edge.

bbshriver · 07-31-2008, 06:27 PM

Well, last night I got brave and went straight to an ATG only shave with this razor (referencing another topic here some of us have discovered ATG only seems to work best)... and WOW. Best shave yet, any razor any technique.
I think I'm "there"

Utopian · 08-12-2008, 01:43 AM

You know, the funny thing is that as soon as you think you are there (which is a great thing), you are likely to find the potential for something a little better and then you will begin to strive for that. And THAT is what makes life interesting!

bbshriver · 08-12-2008, 02:27 PM

quite probable. I meant "I'm there" as in I can get a comfortable shave, not as in "I've reached the paragon of razor sharpness"

zenshaver · 08-12-2008, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utopian

You know, the funny thing is that as soon as you think you are there (which is a great thing), you are likely to find the potential for something a little better and then you will begin to strive for that. And THAT is what makes life interesting!

Time to buy an escher.