Straight Razor Honing Part 2: Basics

[taitlawrence]

Hi, I don't own one of these stones, I have just ordered my first razor. I have a stone I got along with a set of wood chisels for sharpening, would this work for the razor? Also I heard denim can be used, is this true ?

[JoshuaSethComposer]

For those wondering, actual honing starts at 12:15. ;)

(Useful info in the rest of the vid though.)

[paulmerlinmusic]

around 12:35 you say: "you may even have to do over a hundred strokes on an eight HUNDRED grit" but you most likely meant to say eight THOUSAND, because if one did that, the blade would probably be ruined.

[camosplater]

What should I do if the blade is chipped ?!

[shavefan12]

Is it a good idea to tape the edge of the blade to avoid hone ware?

[flyty9393]

Thank you for this very informative video.I learned so much of how it basically was to be a man over a hundred years ago. Thank you.

[INTERPOLFAN17]

does a razor dull out if you dont use it? i mean if you just have it sitting there

[ucihapokujin]

@INTERPOLFAN17 short answer is something along the lines of maintain your weapons, though you're probably just using it to shave

[Voodoozeko]

I have straight razor for year now but i dont hone or strope it at all, cuz i have no equipment for it, is that worng?

[picuda94560]

This might sound like a stupid question, but I must ask. Are there any shortcuts to keeping your razor sharp like using an electric knife sharpener or something? I'm thinking of getting a straight razor to save money in the long run over the disposables I've been using because I am a lady who shaves everything so they don't last long, but the maintenance intimidates me. Does it take long to get the hang of it?

[jaegerhund]

@picuda94560 There aren't any real shortcuts. Of course you could send it off to get honed 2-3 times a year and strop before every shave. A quality safety-razor can save you money with blades if you don't want to commit to straight razors.

[stevestone88]

which is better the Arkansas whetstone or the Japanese waterstone?

[epicurious665]

how often should you hone your razor? i know you strop each time you use it but how often should you hone the blade?

[jaegerhund]

@epicurious665 Generally every 6 months. If you have a properly honed razor and your stropping skills are adequate you can keep a razor shave-ready for quite some time.

[stevestone88]

ugh watching him drag the razor across his thumb made me cringe a little, I was waiting for the blood to gush out.

[nicodemoscarfo]

In response to all immediate comments below, for starters just get one of those cheap 15 dollar straight edge razors until you feel you have learned the technique to honing/sharping, then graduate to a Dovo. That's what I'm doing.

[unapparatus]

@TheDoctorcasey- You can definitely find a great razor for under 45. The problem is, as a beginner, you won't know what you'd be looking for. DON'T go for one of those supercheap, everything in one package ebay deals. Your best bet is to go to any of the online forums and ask around.

[ridgerunnerTN]

@TheDoctorcasey i doubt it. not a new one anyway. look at a flea market

[borisbulldog]

$45.00 is low.

I'd get the cheapest Dovo 6/8 full hollow for around $89.00.

[bluefoxicy]

Check Badger and Blade and ask there.

[BiologyGuy1]

most likely will never become shave ready, they probably didnt make it out of metal that is shave quality.

[BiologyGuy1]

Dang youre long winded guy, they are beginners, not mentally retarded folks.

[dbuschhorn]

I put my fingers on the hollow ground part and make circles on the "ultra-fine" sharpening stone. It's like sharpening the blade on a sheet of glass.

When done, does the cutting surface on your blade look like a tiny strip of mirror?

[jigmesam]

hehe, 100 strokes on an 800 grit stone? Might consider putting in an annotation at that point saying "8000 grit stone!" :) Otherwise, great job!! -jigme SRP

[1968DartGTS]

You Tube shows that this video is no longer available. Can you reload it or tell me if it is loaded elsewhere on the net?

Thanks, Tony.

[MrWinston1984]

Thank you so much for posting this.

[banjoboyjohn]

how much does a decent straigh razor cost?

[poperussian]

i have yet to find a straight razor selling under $100. i have one that costs about $150, and it works wonders.

[tekkenjam]

ebay!

[jpschubbs]

Only thing about Ebay is that you have to watch getting a razor with a damaged blade. For someone who knows how to repair and hone it back to shave ready it's no big deal, but for guys just starting out, it's probably better to buy a brand new one with a good edge.

[fireduckproductions]

i bought mine that is about 50 to 60 years old for fourty bucks at a barbers shop

[ei2232]

Try looking at barber supply shops. It may not have a really nice handle, but it'll work.

[kiokoidrillow]

can i get the same edge and sharp using a diamond stone, or i have to use a waterstone to do this, i've seen there's some 8000 grit diamond stones i mean there's some diference between both(waterstone&diamond stone?, wich one is better to get a real sharp..

[latro123]

Very useful

thanks !!

5*

[viciousKev]

ive accidently cut my nail one time. not testing a razor, but with a knife on accident. god, it was horrible

[pikkefar]

Nice info. But im getting annoyed by your slow speak

[floorpizza]

Then don't watch. Jerk.

[PrinceJacotto]

I'm actually going to agree with Pikke; as an instructional video, this is great, but the pace is awful, making the video about twice as long as it needs to be.

There's nothing wrong with constructive criticism, as long as it's delivered properly, and pikkefar did not deliver it properly =)

[romansura]

you dragging that on the thumb, made me feel funny, line the finger tip will be SLICEd like butter. aaggrr. geez. i shouldent watch mafia films no more. nice vid.

[gilfOG]

why do you sound like Steve Carell?

[jacobssandy]

why do you sound like Steve Urkel?

[hcoll]

@enrimt Stropping doesn't sharpen the razor.

[PaulyCracker]

There a way to find when a razor was made?

[jacobssandy]

call the original owner probably

[PaulyCracker]

It's a German company, and I was told they went out of business in the 30's. I guess I need a razor guide :(

[born2befought]

do you know a good razor(straight razor's)site on the web,where they have some not to expensive,but good quality razors??

[sirwilliam0524]

Check out ebay...sometimes you can luck into a really good deal on an old good quality Solingen razor, or someone who was left a well maintained razor by their dad or whatever, might be selling it for cheap because they don't realize it's worth more.

[sirwilliam0524]

Oh yeah, almost forgot...stay away from the Zeepk and Timberwolf ones...those brands are just cheap, useless crap.

[born2befought]

thanks:Pi'll check it out:D

[OBELISK79]

Just want to say thanks again for your straight razor videos. You've taught me quite a bit.

[sumahama1981]

I've got an antique Schelling straight razor. At the moment it's so blunt that it wouldn't even cut butter.

There appears to be no chips at all on the edge of the blade.

What stone would I start on to get it sharp? How many strokes (roughly) are we talking (or are we talking hours)?

Love the video!

[frbjeffj]

Do you ever go into flattening hones before using them?

[SCOBYsnacks]

damn nail cuuter :p

[drtyfknmouth]

In a world of instant, lightning-fast, disposable EVERYthing, it's so nice to see that some of us still think the old ways might have been, if not better, at least maybe more worth while. Here in Georgia, you can still find a quite a few old style barbers, but it's sad to see that most have passed on or retired.

[olsaintnic]

Thank You, there are no professional straight razor sharpeners anywhere, I called over 10 in my area. I will try to learn.

[5rs6j81]

I'm sick of disposable razors, thanks for this video, I think I'll get into this!

[ivotaillefer]

good job! I had to work very hard to get this sort of information before the computer revoluton . . .