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On the razors edge with Galaktus

I use a 30x loupe, when I reflect light off the bevel I get a great view. I can easily see scratch patterns with it. I have some vintages I have honed to damned nice shaves, American, English, German. Sometimes I hit the mark, other times not so much. I guess it's all part of the fun of this hobby.
The forearm skin level and floating hair test are not a reliable indicator to me.
 
I have found with some razors that don’t feel right, keep honing up. Some feel kinda rough at a lower progression. But break out the diamond paste and crank it up to .01u hyper sharp and that will smooth it out.

As to feel, some feel the laps smooth out when honing. Or some feel the blade start to stick to the hone. I have felt it stick, then time to move up a stone.
 
May 24, 2020 Shave 151
Gold Dollar 66
Arko 44
Oliveweood synth
Lustray Blue Spice
Another mediocre shave. I think it's time to bring it back to the bevel set for this and the Geneva. Again. Lol.
 
So I got some more honing time in with these two infernal razors. Started with the DMT 1200, the Norton 4k/8k combo, 1 um lapping film and on MilkCrate's advice, went up in grit. I don't have any diamond paste, so I used 0.3um film. I haven't used it before. I did traditional edge leading honing, and if that doesn't work I'm going to set these two razors aside and move onto some others.
 
Honing really is a labor of love. I can only do it for so long before it stresses me out too much. I hope it works out.
 
Thanks. I did my best trying with these two, if it doesn't work out I have two that I honed up rather nicely. That will give me some good shaving time while I work on some other razors. Yes, my couple of hundred dollars of DE's are giving me the evil eye, and laughing at me when I get a poor straight shave, but I am resisting their peer pressure, lol.
 
There's a balance in my den. I do a mediocre job on my first pass with a straight, then make it all better with a DE. Hot! Ice! It's the best of both worlds! 🤣
 
May 25, 2020 Shave 152
Geneva 6/8
Arko 45
Rubberset 600N
Florida Water

As if the mystery of honing isn't enough, today's shave with the Geneva taken to 0.3 um wasn't the closest shave, it felt like I needed a fair amount of force to cut whiskers, yet the aftershave burn was almost non-existent. I am retiring the Geneva to the "deal with some other time in the distant future" pile. I'll revisit the blade once I get more experience honing with film. I also need to get some more 1um film. Down to one used sheet from the sample pack I ordered years ago.
Not sure if I'm going to get just the 1um and continue with the DMT 1200 and Norton 4/8 k, or do the whole film progression.
 
Galaktus said:
May 25, 2020 Shave 152
Geneva 6/8
Arko 45
Rubberset 600N
Florida Water

As if the mystery of honing isn't enough, today's shave with the Geneva taken to 0.3 um wasn't the closest shave, it felt like I needed a fair amount of force to cut whiskers, yet the aftershave burn was almost non-existent. I am retiring the Geneva to the "deal with some other time in the distant future" pile. I'll revisit the blade once I get more experience honing with film. I also need to get some more 1um film. Down to one used sheet from the sample pack I ordered years ago.
Not sure if I'm going to get just the 1um and continue with the DMT 1200 and Norton 4/8 k, or do the whole film progression.
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Get a Coticule to deepen the mystery.. Not that I am trying to enable....... OK... well yes I am, LOL Good Read Laz HEHEHE
 
Galaktus said:
Nah, no coticules for me. I have a few Arks I also use from time to time.
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I was the same started on Film moved to Shaptons, which I still have, fell in love with Coticules, then came arks, and after yrs finally settled in on a Dilucot method and finishing on a trans ark... and then a black ark when the Gods will it, LOL. Thank God I never went down the Jnat rabbit pit.. The one mantra I tell myself is "Just Rub Steel on a Rock till it sticks" LOL Keep it up I enjoy reading your journey
 
May 26, 2020 Shave 153
Gold Dollar 66
Tabac 5
Oliveweood synth
Lustray Spice

I am clinging into my honing sanity. A great shave, 9/10, with the lowly Gold Dollar 66.
I must have have the stars in alignment when I did this one, but not the Geneva I was doing at the same time, lol. A nice close shave, minimal aftershave burn, smooth rubbery skin feeling.

I started out way back in the day with the Norton 8k as the finisher, maybe crox on a strop. It's what we all did in the SRP Yahoo group, long before it was a forum. Arks were discouraged because the honemeister said so, lol. Coticules and Jnats were rarely if ever discussed. Even DMT 1200s were said to damage your razors. Bevel setting was literally unheard of, do the pyramid on the Norton 4k/8k and you'll be fine. If you can't shave with that that you can't hone. Barber homes are useless.
How far we've come since those dark days.
 
The collective knowledge about straight shaving back then was nothing like it is today. The growth of online forums like these have made it much easier for those wanting to learn.
 
Galaktus said:
Curious, how does the information presented back then stack up to the knowledge base today? I never saw his DVD. I parted ways with his forum and never looked back.

May 27, 2020 Shave 154
Genco Henry XX
Arko 46
Rubberset 600N
Lustray Blue Spice
A decent shave but the the razor could use some work.
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Don't think I ever watched it. PM your info and I'll send it to you if you want it
 
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