Prehoned from vintageblades?

**merkurguy** · 04-08-2008, 06:16 PM

I was wondering if anyone knew if getting a prehoned straight from vintage blades is a good idea. Lynn abrams supposedly does the honing so it should be done right. Right?

**kca** · 04-08-2008, 06:22 PM

My understanding is that they are honed by Lynn...in which case it would be a VERY good idea.

I recently got a Filly 7/8 from Classicshaving that I had them send to Lynn for honing...well worth it.

**voerman** · 04-08-2008, 06:37 PM

Jim at Vintage Blades keeps some prehoned (by Lynn) razors in stock. If he happens to have the one you are interested in , you can save a week or two in shipping/honing time.

Jim is also a good guy to deal with.

Lou

**jlander** · 04-08-2008, 08:42 PM

+1 for Vintage Blades.

**merkurguy** · 04-09-2008, 03:09 AM

It does seem like a great way to get a honed razor. I just have read stories of razors not being honed properly. I don't think it was from vintageblades though.

**netsurfr** · 04-09-2008, 06:10 AM

Originally Posted by merkurguy

I was wondering if anyone knew if getting a prehoned straight from vintage blades is a good idea. Lynn abrams supposedly does the honing so it should be done right. Right?

Vintage Razors is great and Lynn is one of the best honemeisters out there. I would say that you cannot go wrong.
The Well Shaved Gentleman also has prehoned razors and carries some of the best strops. Tony is a class act and provides great customer service.

**StephenKane** · 04-09-2008, 07:03 AM

I'm just a newbie - but I got a blade pre honed from vintage blades and well....it really needs to be sharper to shave with. It drags on my face a bit. I'm learning to hone now so maybe it was a good thing. I had one honed by the service offered at Tony Miller's website and THAT razor is really sharp.

**Seraphim** · 04-09-2008, 10:21 AM

My first razor I got "pre-honed" (from a different site), and was also sadly dissapointed with the edge quality. Really, it was rather rough.

I took matters into my own hands, and soon had a 3, 1, 0.5micron edge on that baby, and shaving smooth as can be.

Get a pasted strop and you can easily put your own edge on a razor. Pasted stropping is really very easy, and not as finicky as going edge first (i.e.- honing)

**loueedacat** · 04-09-2008, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by kca

My understanding is that they are honed by Lynn...in which case it would be a VERY good idea.

I recently got a Filly 7/8 from Classicshaving that I had them send to Lynn for honing...well worth it.

Veering off topic a bit, how do you like the Filly 7/8? I was thinking about getting one of those - I assume you are talking about the one on their limited edition page.

**merkurguy** · 04-09-2008, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by Seraphim

My first razor I got "pre-honed" (from a different site), and was also sadly dissapointed with the edge quality. Really, it was rather rough.

I took matters into my own hands, and soon had a 3, 1, 0.5micron edge on that baby, and shaving smooth as can be.

Get a pasted strop and you can easily put your own edge on a razor. Pasted stropping is really very easy, and not as finicky as going edge first (i.e.- honing)

Where could I find info on pasted stropping? That sounds like a good alternative.

**jlander** · 04-09-2008, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by merkurguy

Where could I find info on pasted stropping? That sounds like a good alternative.

Check out Tony Miller at The Well Shaved Gentleman Heirloom Razor Strop Company.

**Seraphim** · 04-09-2008, 10:50 AM

http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/sho...793#post543793

Search for "pasted stropping", there's plenty of info out there.

A good, cheap source for pastes is McMaster-Carr, look under "lapping compounds" See pic below:

But one tube of 4428A14 3 micron diamond paste, one tube of 4428A13 1 micron diamond paste (total cost $22, just a bit more than the honing service...), and you will have enough paste to keep you sharp as can be for years to come.

Get a canvas belt, like I did ($10 at Sears), or a leather belt would work too, depending on the finish. Apply the paste, and give the razor a few round trips on there (be sure to hold the strop taught!), it really does not take much, as the pastes work quite fast and effectively.

**kca** · 04-09-2008, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by loueedacat

Veering off topic a bit, how do you like the Filly 7/8? I was thinking about getting one of those - I assume you are talking about the one on their limited edition page.

That's the one. I've been really happy with it and given the price the Fillys have been going for on Ebay I think it was a very good value.

Has a nice weight to it and shaves up there with my Henckels and Helje. Very nice.

Originally Posted by merkurguy

Where could I find info on pasted stropping? That sounds like a good alternative.

Check out the strop sub-forum in the straight razor section here. Also, SRP has a lot of information. Tony Miller sells paddle strops and pastes at thewellshavedgentleman.com once you're ready to buy. I just bought one his four sided paddle strops with pastes. I haven't applied the paste yet but the quality of the paddle strop looks great.

**merkurguy** · 04-09-2008, 11:06 AM

Do you guys think I can really get by with just paste stropping? It sure would make things a lot easier than honing and stropping.Boy, I am still on the fence about diving into straight shaving but you guys are making it seem a lot easier.

EDIT: Just checked out paddle strops at tony millers and that looks like the way to go. A combo strop would be perfect. I am ready to take the plunge.

**Seraphim** · 04-09-2008, 11:34 AM

You will still want to strop (with plain leaher) after using the pasted strops.

While you're at TM's shop getting the pasted paddle strop, get the Starter strop too-- $29, and it is really super-nice! Really, I can't recommend the Starter strop highly enough.

As far as sharpening using only pastes-yes it is just as effective as hones for putting an edge on your razor.

**merkurguy** · 04-09-2008, 12:44 PM

The combo strop has one side usable for plain stropping. So, I shouldn't need another. Right?

**Seraphim** · 04-09-2008, 01:03 PM

You wouldn't need another. But I, for one, enjoy the feeling from a hanging strop much more than the unyielding surface of a paddle strop. that's a personal choice.

**ZiggyDeath** · 04-09-2008, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by merkurguy

The combo strop has one side usable for plain stropping. So, I shouldn't need another. Right?

This would mean you'd be limited to three different pastes, which may mean you'll be skipping out on a coarser or finer paste.

**Daves** · 04-09-2008, 02:15 PM

I have bought several prehoned Dovo str8s from Vintage Blades. My first and third str8s. I was quite happy with the edges and they showed what it takes to make a blade sharp.

DaveS

**merkurguy** · 04-09-2008, 04:00 PM

I am looking to get a beginner setup for now though. So, I would hope the paddle strop would be good for now. later, I can always get a hanging strop and use the last paddle for coarser or finer pastes.Now to wait for payday.