Thread: Will my straight razor "routine" be enough to ensure that it will last?

Hello there!

I am new to these forums so if I am posting in the wrong place or breaking some other form of etiquette please do inform me.

I would like to purchase a straight razor, but do not like the idea of sending my razor away to be honed, and wish to do it myself at home. This is what I was hoping to do...

1. Purchase a "shave ready" straight razor.
2. Use a leather strop before each shave.
3. If I feel the edge becoming dull after a number of shaves, I will use a strop with a 3.0 micron paste, then a strop with a 1.0 micron paste, then finish it with a normal leather strop.

Will this routine be enough to keep my razor sharp? I don't really like the idea of using a stone, so paste/compound would be preferable. I read on the wiki that a 3.0 micron paste is the same as an 8k grit. I just want to make sure that this routine would be ok.

So, is it possible to keep a razor that was purchased as "shave ready" sharp using only strops and pastes? Or will it need to be honed using a stone still?

Many thanks in advance for your help.

James