First successful honing.....pretty respectable edge

**Cochese2323** · 05-02-2012, 07:49 PM

SWMBO had to work late tonight so afterwork I grabbed my Hart Steel and killed the edge and gave it a go. I honed up a couple crappy antique store razors for practice, but didn't have the balls to out either of them to my face. Figured gotta do it some time, so here we go. This was my progression. I didn't keep exact count of my laps

DMT 1200 ~ 40 laps
3um film ~ 60 laps
1um film ~ 60 laps
1um w/paper ~ 50 laps
CrOx on balsa ~ 20 laps
Leather - at least 100 laps

Pretty damn good shave. Not the smoothest edge I have ever felt, but definitely got the job done.

**dakotaev** · 05-02-2012, 10:27 PM

Congrats! It is pretty satisfying shaving with an edge you created.

**paco664** · 05-02-2012, 10:30 PM

congrats ryan......

did your w&b get there yet??

**Kentos** · 05-02-2012, 11:26 PM

Kudos on having the cajones to practice on the Hart! The edges get better the more you try. Eventually you will come to a progression that matches your skin and shaving style to a "T".

**Doc226** · 05-03-2012, 03:27 AM

Big ones, big ones-to start with the Hart

**global_dev** · 05-03-2012, 04:52 AM

cool, how did you determine to move up the progression? did you feel a change in the feedback?

**Doc226** · 05-03-2012, 05:19 AM

Originally Posted by global_dev

cool, how did you determine to move up the progression? did you feel a change in the feedback?

I have only honed a GD on the film, turned out great but I found film to lack feedback. I think film is a fantastic alternative to stones and in some instances may actually be preferred but I like the feel of the stones much more during the honing.

**Cochese2323** · 05-03-2012, 06:23 AM

Originally Posted by paco664

congrats ryan......

did your w&b get there yet??

Sure did, that thing is sweet. I shaved with it when I got it on Monday, then decided to pop the scales off and make it my first restore. It is going to be sweet when it is done. Lots of sanding though.....ugh

Originally Posted by global_dev

cool, how did you determine to move up the progression? did you feel a change in the feedback?

I read thru Seraphim's synthetic progression thread and kind of went by what others had posted in there. Didn't really to any tests as I went along other than making sure the entire blade could shave arm hair as I went to make sure I was honing evenly. I have a magnifying glass I used to make sure the edge was looking ok too, but I don't really know what I am looking at

**honed** · 05-03-2012, 06:43 AM

Feels great, doesn't it!

**ouch** · 05-03-2012, 06:48 AM

Is there anything more satisfying than shaving with a blade you honed yourself?

Nice job.

**honed** · 05-03-2012, 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by ouch

Is there anything more satisfying than shaving with a blade you honed yourself?

Nice job.

Exactly!

However I think there is one more level, shaving with a blade that you have made & then honed yourself...

**Cochese2323** · 05-03-2012, 07:41 AM

Agreed. Very satisfying honing my own razor and shaving with it. I look foward to trying different progressions and finding my comfort zone for an edge.

I really do want to make my own blade, but one step at a time. I just got a dremel tool and have been working on making some scales and polishing up a sweet W&B that I scored from a local antique store. After that and I have some more $$$ at my disposal, I want to get a grinder or belt sander and give it a go at making a fixed blade.