First Honing Try

**dlb2021** · 03-27-2012, 04:06 PM

Hello All

I recently purchased a new Dovo straight razor and wasn't getting a smooth shave with it out of the box so I decided to give honing a try on my own. I purchased a 4000/8000 stone on the recommendation from a co-worker, watched a few tutorials on youtube, and got started. I soaked it for 15 min and started honing on the 4000 grit side. After about 20 strokes on the hone I tested the sharpness and found that I couldn't cut the hairs on my arm like I could before I tried honing it. Is this something beginners usually run into? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

**EvilZeg** · 03-27-2012, 04:10 PM

First and foremost your Norton's need to be lapped. And you will need to finish on a higher grit.

**Krodor** · 03-27-2012, 04:25 PM

If the person before you had honed it to 8k/12k or whatever (likely, as it could cut hair), you just went backward in the grit progression by going to 4k. No big deal, but yeah, as EvilZeg mentioned, lap them puppies, as they come very much unflat.

**SinnerinRehab** · 03-27-2012, 04:30 PM

Funny, I honed for the first time today too. I followed some threads, saw some videos then talked to GsSixGun at Gemstarcustoms. He has a video for 4/8's. Total video went 13 minutes from start to finish. I finished on Crox paste then stropped. Went really well and shaved great.

Does anyone have any ideas about an easy lap for the stone? Would sandpaper work and what grit? Just want to lap it smooth.

**Gamma** · 03-27-2012, 05:03 PM

I've used 220 and 325 grit wet/dry on a flat tile to lap and it works fine. Has to be done under running water so you can rinse the swarf out of the way.

**Krodor** · 03-27-2012, 05:54 PM

yup, and you want to lap it flat, not just lap it smooth.

**SinnerinRehab** · 03-28-2012, 02:00 PM

OK, good to know. I have the tile but can stop by the hardware store for some 220 wet/dry. I don't think that this is HAD yet, but definitely a strong itch... scratch scratch.

**SinnerinRehab** · 03-28-2012, 02:03 PM

Dlb2021, how'd it go for you? Did you get better results? The best video I saw was the one mentioned. Start to finish on Nort 4/8. It's all I have at this moment so it fit my bill. Curious about your finish product.