It was my pleasure Kevin. Hopefully someday soon I'll have another custom for you to test drive .

I know! Every time I use it I go "Man, why don't I use this more often"!

good evening gents
I've got a little story to tell tonight. it may run a bit long, so feel free to scroll right past. but it'll make me feel good to share my experience with guys who may be interested in my revelation.
several months ago I fell to the interest of straight razor shaving. it was a new cheap wanna be straight razor that led me to the shave den. then became hopelessly lost in the hubbub of it all.
I acquired a few straight razors, mostly from antique stores. I was able to pick and choose finding only blades that required minimum effort to get them sharp enough to shave with.
recently I had been shaving more exclusively with a straight razor. so I wanted a few blades that I fancied,
Boker
c'mon
friodur
wostenholm
so I began a buying campaign, and was blessed with several that I wanted. the down side
being I couldn't be assured of the sharpness.
thinking this may be the case, I shopped for a serviceable beginners set of hones. great another skill to acquire. this skill proved to be a little more difficult.
today I wanted to use my newest blade. but unfortunately it was not near shave ready.
time to up my game.
I took my Boker to the 1k, sets of twenty-five, alternating x's and straight strokes. a few circles in the rough spots. continued this until I found a straight edge from heel to toe.
next three sets getting less pressure and making sure I was pushing the water all the way across the blade. also taking note of the squegyness of what the blade missed. soon it didn't miss hardly any.
check, good sharpness. arm hairs jumped, blades gripped wet thumbnail. on to the 4k,
then to the 8.
finishing on the eight with several very light strokes that pushed the water across the blade, leaving almost nothing behind.
thirty strokes on the bench strop, still popping hairs.
twenty more on my drygulch custom.
DO OR DIE
I lathered up with tobs avocado, and used my;
H.Boker and Co 226 Our Own hollow ground spike end.
and got a very nice three pass shave, very nearly bbs.
thank you for sharing in my first dull to shave ready. it feels like a milepost for me. a mix of victory, revelation, and relief.

Nice shaver love those scales!

Outstanding, David!
1,000 Likes to this one!
One of the joys of straight razor shaving—aside from the obvious thrill of dragging a staggeringly- sharp blade across one's mug—is being able to shave comfortably with a blade that one has honed himself!
Shaving with a less-than-shave-ready blade is no fun at all, and leaning to coax a keen edge from a stone is a skill that takes both time and commitment to develop.
Kudos to you, sir, for this achievement!

thank you both for your kind word and advice and encouragement.
I couldn't have achieved it without your and sixgun's help.

It's a pretty awesome feeling to shave with your own edge.

You and me both sir!

Well, I hope to be joining you gents soon.

My new to me straight razor has been honed by Glen at Gemstar and is on the way back to me. I'll be taking my time learning how to use it and might even get a crack at it this weekend.

I can't wait!

Look forward to reading of your successes here, Jim!

Downhill from here

It is fun,frustrating,and a deep rabbit hole,but so so worth it !

Super news! It's a bit tenuous at first, but once you practice a little, you'll likely get hooked! Can't wait to to hear about your first time.

Thanks for sharing. You are encouraging me to try the same.

Ralf Aust 5/8

J-West morning….

ERN 1166 Crown and Sword

​

A second taste of the ol' Hives. Very, very good old shaver.

I love reading the history of these old Sheffield makers!
Interesting read HERE

Day 49 - 90 Day Intro to SR



Ralf Aust 5/8

Have a great Friday!