Thread: Edge life before more than stropping is needed?

How long should a quality pro-honed razor's (Thiers-Issard "Le Grelot") edge last with only stropping before more measures (i.e. pasted strop/high grit stone) are usually necessary? Consider novice user with almost daily use and avg. beard.

I have been advised that the razor likely won't need to be re-honed until about 2 months of use. I have been at it for just under (2) weeks so I think I'm alright with just stropping for now. However, I want to have the appropriate gear on hand to keep shaving lest I have to return to that loathsome Gillette.

I know that there are differences in opinions, but for the novice is it generally recommended to get a 4k/8k Norton combo stone or a Chinese 12k to freshen up the razor? I have no present intention of fixing up antiques or ebaying and for the time being intend to leave the real honing to the pros if required.

So far so good Gentlemen, I haven't lost an ear or too much blood and truly enjoy the process and result. My grandfather and great-grandfather were old time barbers with a shop in Queens, NY...too bad I never got the opportunity to learn the techniques from them. Thanks for your wisdom.

I wouldn't recommend a full set of hones unless you are just into it.

I would think you could last a long time with razor, strop, and perhaps a pasted strop, or small swaty style touch-up stone.

I think that is how they used to do it in the "olden days".

I have built up a full set of hones just because I find it interesting, and like the "do it your self" part of straight shaving. I've been considering breaking out the Dremel and attempting a minor restore of a local antique shop straight if I find one.

I can see my interests progressing rapidly towards becoming self-sufficient in razor maintenance but for now I'm more concerned with trying to make sure I'm shaving with a good edge so that I can determine whether or not my technique is improving.

But as a wannabe wood worker and home improvement enthusiast I certainly do not need too much of an incentive to get more into the "do it yourself" aspect of straight razors. Thanks for the input.

If your just concerned with the short term needs and you catch the razor before it really starts to dull the easiest is probably a pasted strop. probably some CrO would serve well. Eventually you'll need the hone but that could be way over a year away.

10 laps on some Cox, 30 laps on strop and you should be good..hopefully, unless you really screwed up on your stropping.... I found SRD's strop paddle ... "forgiving". With that said, I have a 5/8/12 set from SRD to touch up.....

I shaved with a Dovo Bismarck nearly every day for nearly three months before it started to lose it's edge. About every week and a half, I did ten laps on the pasted strop and it brought it right back. I have a feeling that you'll be equipped to hone it yourself after that time based on your original post. Soooo...for right now, focus on shaving and begin to dig in a learn as much as you can about hones. In a couple months, you'll have an idea of what you want in the way of honing gear and then pick up a couple beater razors and begin practicing so that by the third month, you'll be confident enough to give your expensive razor a whirl.

Hi,

In addition to the daily stropping on linen/leather :

As a general rule, I give my blade 5 - 10 laps on CrOx after seven (7) shaves; after a month of shaves, they get 5 - 10 laps on a Naniwa 12k.

Each razor is different; for eample the TI C135 blades I have go on much longer with just stropping compared with some of the softer blades I have.

I have found, like many others, that 'little but often' maintenance works best.

As the individuals whiskers and razors are all unique, it is difficult to give a hard and fast duration for an edge; let your shave be the test

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Originally Posted by red96ta

I shaved with a Dovo Bismarck nearly every day for nearly three months before it started to lose it's edge. About every week and a half, I did ten laps on the pasted strop and it brought it right back. I have a feeling that you'll be equipped to hone it yourself after that time based on your original post. Soooo...for right now, focus on shaving and begin to dig in a learn as much as you can about hones. In a couple months, you'll have an idea of what you want in the way of honing gear and then pick up a couple beater razors and begin practicing so that by the third month, you'll be confident enough to give your expensive razor a whirl.

Great idea to practice on beat up razors when the time comes prior to attempting work on my more expensive razor. That should remove anxiety and help to build some confidence. Thanks for your reply.

I'm getting the hint that "less more often is better than a lot too late" when it comes to maintaining the edge. I'll reach out for more advice when the time comes. Thanks.

While "less more often" sounds like great advice, I've only had about 6 shaves on my Dovo Special, so it's hard for me to differentiate "learning curve" from "starting to pull".