Thread: Edge life before more than stropping is needed?

Originally Posted by Alethephant

I suppose then you should take this up with the (dishonest?) person who wrote the SRP FAQ: " How long will a razor stay sharp?

There are too many variables involved to give a definite answer (quality of razor steel, stropping and shaving techniques, etc.). The general consensus seems to be that a shave ready razor will, if regularly stropped on plain leather, shave comfortably for at least a few dozen shaves. After that, it will require resharpening.[25] "

"At least a few dozen shaves" suggests 30+. You will note I indicated in the best case, 50 shaves. This does not seem inconsistent.

You will also note that I indicated, if you do things wrong, you may get only one shave.

Apparently the argument here is what is the maximum possible shaves before honing is required. That is a different question from getting less shaves than that. Do you know of anyone who has gotten more than 50 shaves from a razor with no touch-up?

Again, time lapse is not the same thing as number of shaves. When you talk about using a razor for a year, are you using the same razor every day?

I've been shaving with the same razor, every other day at the least for 8 months now. No touch ups, no pasted strops. The reality is it will last as long as it lasts, dependent on technique and whatnot. To try and quantify it exactly is an exercise in theoretical impotence.

What kind of steel is it?

Originally Posted by Alethephant

What kind of steel is it?

I don't know. Its not stainless and most my blades that I use regularly are between 70 and 150 years old

After all the discussion goes away there is certainly something to be said for knowing that you can bring any of your blades back to life yourself.

Good steel and starting with a good edge helps quite a bit! That said, as many others have already said (and many more will), freshen the edge with a good leather strop until you have to go to the next level (felt strop). Stay with that until you need to sharpen it. That's where opinions will diverge wildly.

Some will say (me as well) that a 12K stone or Escher-type only polishes a blade, no sharpening will happen on them - they have their place in the sequence, but they won't sharpen edges unless you spend quite a while on them. Sort of like chopping a tree with a penknife, it'll happen eventually but will take a looooong time. I believe one has to drop to at least a 4K before real sharpening happens. Just a few laps will do if you catch it early, but a 4K then 8K then 12K then Escher, then CrOx strop, then felt strop, then leather and just about any blade comes back to life for me. Others will have different approaches.

Personally I believe that a bit of time in a HAD phase will benefit you in the end. If you decide to pick up some stones, have some talks with Sham (hi_bud_GL) or almost any other honemeister here and you'll save yourself from wasting $$ on stones or pastes that you won't use after you really get into honing. Develop or learn about a technique that seems comfortable for you and buy stones accordingly.

In any event it looks like you've gotten a ton of feedback in here - it's all good! ..and there is no single exact correct answer to the original question you posed. Good one to ask though!