Thread: Can't get sharp with strop anymore, need advice

I bought 2 because I wanted variety, and I was not knowledgeable to get just one and be sure that is what I needed. Also, I sold a SR to a Coworker and told him I would get a hone off ebay for him. It was such a nice hone, in near prrfect condition, I convinced him he didnt want to learn how to hone and that i would hone his for him when he was ready.
I also bought a cheapo loupe to look at my edges (I buy a few off ebay) I need to know if any flaws are completely removed when honing. It was 10$ from China.

Originally Posted by bprjam

So, a couple of things here. Your calcs mention that 2 razors lasted 3 months. This is oversimplified, because I've been heavily favoring one razor over the other. But still, your point is well-taken.

As far as the maintenance routine you mentioned, I'm wondering what it would take to do this "light touch up" you mention. Would would I use to do that?

I used a high quality Arkansas stone for well over 20 years on two razors...

If I knew then what I know now I would find a "Swaty" or a "Velvet" Barber's hone, most any good Barber's hones would work but those two stand out IMHO

I could shave for the rest of my life and then some if I owned a Norton 4/8 or a Naniwa SS 3/8 and I could set most bevels with those too..

Any Natural finisher in the right hands could do the job, most Synthetic finishers could too, even Lapping Film..


So read what I just typed and the lesson to be learned is not what you use, but having the ability to use it correctly that is really important


"Be afraid of the man who owns but one rifle, he might just know how to use it" very old saying

Originally Posted by bprjam

I'm really going for best bang for the buck on this, since I started shaving with a straight to save money over cartridges....

OK. Then how about this: Are you really committed to SR shaving? If so,
then it would make sense to spend more money on a hone(s), and do it
yourself.

If you're still not sure, or if you still need more time to perfect your
stropping/shaving techniques, then it would probably be cheaper to
have a "pro" hone your razors from time to time. Not only will you
get a really good edge, but that pro edge could serve as a benchmark
to compare with your own honing skills.

As you already know, there are quite a few different ways to go with
edge maintenance. As someone once told me, "Just pick a spot, and
go to work."

Good luck.

I have a Swaty and an Edlis.
I also have a Norton set for resetting a new edge on an old razor.
I refresh with the Swaty or Edlis, and also finish with those after using the Norton to set a new edge.
I am not a Honemeister by any stretch of the imagination, but I must say I am proud of the edges I get.

I use a pasted balsa strop to refresh the edge of my straight razors.

+1 What gssixgun said. That's also how I got started, and it served me well for
many years. Then I went crazy.

First it was a couple of new brushes, and a load of new soaps and creams;
then it was a couple of new strops; then it was a Norton 4/8 and a DMT 325;
then it was a couple more strops, for pastes and sprays only; then it was a
Naniwa 12K SS; then a Chosera 1K (I needed that one to correct my
mistakes); and lately I bought a Zulu Grey, because I still can't get an edge
as good as gssixgun's.

And I probably never will, no matter what else I buy.

If there's a moral to this story, it's this: good tools are fine, but it's the skill
of the hand that uses them that matters the most.

I forgot to mention all the razors I bought in the last few years, in search of the
perfect shave.....but that's another story.

I would go the pasted strop route. Your used to stropping but not honing. If you introduce more complication it made lead to a bigger mistake.

Hmmm, it seems to me that a swaty or something similar might be the way to go for what I need. Now I just need to find some resources on how to use one...

Question - is the swaty (or those like it, such as the velvet mentioned above) a finer grit than the 8k side on the Norton?

Originally Posted by bprjam

Question - is the swaty (or those like it, such as the velvet mentioned above) a finer grit than the 8k side on the Norton?

Common question, but honestly and I am not being ambiguous here, but it isn't quite that simple..

Both will give you a close comfortable shave if they are used correctly...


Now you will get all the "Guesses" at the grit ratings of Barber's Hone

On another thread, just this morning I mentioned ordering this:

Refresher kit for Straight Razors

Refresher Kit for Straight Razors

It's a Belgian Coticule is a 5" x 1 1/2" Select Grade, plus a Balsa Board already charged with Chromium Oxide.

Here's the thread:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...ml#post1203185

Shooter, another member here, suggested that I go to the Norton or Naniwa instead, natural stone.

So is there a difference between a refresher or touch-up versus going the Norton / Naniwa route. I've waited quite awhile before deciding to enter into the honing world and may have mistakenly thought that a refresher kit / touch-up kit would be an entry step?

Enjoying this thread!