Thread: What is up with all the honing inconsistency

Ok, so I'm new to all this and gathering info on Razors, strops, honing, different honing methods/stones...etc...etc

Simple question.... If honing is recommended why doesn't everyone do it?
Obviously the real question also incorporates "How often do I have to hone my straight razor?
Well there is not a simple answer.... This does NOT help newbies like myself.
I have seen all kinds of recommendations.... From once every 20 shaves to once a year or so.

Well let's go with once a month just for the fun of it.... At $20-30 plus shipping for an expert to do it..... Wouldn't it be better and more economical in the long run to learn how to hone on a beautiful Naniwa Supersone that can be purchased from Lynn for ~ $173 (they pay for themselves in a year)?


So if we do this for self satisfaction, the art of it and nostalgic experience... Why doesn't everyone have honing stones and hone themselves....?

I tend to yield to your stated logic about honing. But there are probably a million different reasons why someone chooses one option over the other. There's no arguing matters of preference. As for how often you need to have your razor honed, the reason there is no simple answer is because there are too many variables to consider. But when it starts pulling your beard (just like a old Mach 3), you'll know its time. But some guys touch their razors up on a pasted strop and that extends the life of edge a little further. If you're NOT doing that, you'll need to send yours out sooner. If your beard is particularly tough, I suppose that changes matters as well. If your stropping incorrectly, you might be destroying your edge. And of course, it will also depend on how many razors are in your rotation. A guy with one will need to send his much sooner than a guy with a dozen. When it pulls and stops shaving, and you have no answer to that, its time.

If a car need oil change every 3 months why does not everybody do it? I mean here one oil change is ~ $40, I can easily get a filter and oil and do the job my self (which I do). But very few others do that too, most go to the shop 4 times a year and pay for that.

Same with honing , some people can do it some can't or do not want to deal with it.
Your math is off a little bit too, a pro honed razor can be maintained for months before it needs a touch up, and if the person using it knows what they are doing they can maintain the razor for much longer.

So if we do this for self satisfaction, the art of it and nostalgic experience

I shave with a straight because I like it, not because it was the old ways etc.

Stefan beat me to it, I always equate honing to an oil change, BTW I do NOT change my own oil, but I do hone my own razors, and quite a few other's hmmmm I bet some of my honing customers are Mechanics


BTW I agree that you should learn to hone your own if you so choose...

Am all for DIY stuff (even self prostate exams If I pay mega bucks for any razor,it is going to a pro for the first go around.
After that I maintain them with a barber hone or my zulu,is pretty hard to screw up a pro set bevel with those two stones.

Originally Posted by mainaman

If a car need oil change every 3 months why does not everybody do it? I mean here one oil change is ~ $40, I can easily get a filter and oil and do the job my self (which I do). But very few others do that too, most go to the shop 4 times a year and pay for that.

Same with honing , some people can do it some can't or do not want to deal with it.
Your math is off a little bit too, a pro honed razor can be maintained for months before it needs a touch up, and if the person using it knows what they are doing they can maintain the razor for much longer.

I shave with a straight because I like it, not because it was the old ways etc.

-I like the idea of only having to hone a blade every several months.... However, unfortunately since I am learning that will not be the case.
-Oil change...too dirty for me, and I'm lucky my car only needs it once a year.
- If it weren't for the old ways we would not know about straight shaving. However, I agree.... It's done because it is enjoyable and it brings a sense of self satisfaction (at least when I shave with my DE razors since I have not started straight shaving).

As a newbie...I have much to learn. But that is OK, I like learning new things and appreciate the comments.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Am all for DIY stuff (even self prostate exams If I pay mega bucks for any razor,it is going to a pro for the first go around.
After that I maintain them with a barber hone or my zulu,is pretty hard to screw up a pro set bevel with those two stones.

Prostate exams....wow... I quit doing those in Med school.... Now I examine other orifices.... I'm a Ob/Gyn (no funny jokes please...)

Much to learn.........

Yep, your first finisher might pay for itself in a short time. It's all those other ones that you *have* to try.... They might be better!

Hey CF,

The only thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet is *When* is learning to hone the right move. I had the supreme humility to ignore experienced counsel saying to first learn the shave - then learn to hone. There's a reason I'm called pinklather. It was colorful. It was a challenge. But it was not pleasant until I experience the smoothness of a nicely done edge. Mine were fairly sharp, but they weren't smooth. Sharp isn't enough in this game.
However you proceed, I hope you have alot of fun. Years on, the enjoyment still has yet to fade, and I'm still amazed that 'joy' and 'shaving' can really appear in the same sentence again.

This is a great question to hone or pass the buck.
I do hone my own blades but let me just say. I HATE HONING. and everything about it. Its a rotten job boring to the end, time consuming and sometimes frustrating.
That being said I wouldn't want to send my gear out to someone else. cause I know for fact that I take great measures in putting the best possible edge on, no matter how long it takes to do it properly. It blows my mind that "Professional" honing people could even make a profit honing a blade for 20 bones. I would be broke in a week if I had to charge that price.
Call me slow or just an overly obsessive perfectionist.