Thread: Quit being lazy!!

I usually strop several razors at the same session to have them ready for shaving on a later day. After a shave, I dry the blade then set it aside. Later that day, I'll strop 50 linen/60-75 leather. The linen is a fine weave flax linen. The leathers can vary from Russian leather, English Bridle to Horse Butt. After 8 to 10 shaves, the razor is lightly refreshed using a wet Coticule followed by a few strokes on 0.5 micro Crox on balsa wood.

Recently, I shaved with my Feather Artist Club SS shavette, on which I learned straight shaving. No stropping, no honing. I got a good shave but realized that I experience more pleasure using the straights that I've grown to love. There is a Zen fulfillment in using your favorite razors, owning, stropping and honing them. Straight shaving is intensive but turns a task into a pleasureable hobby.

Wow, this became quite the topic! Yes the intital "too few" strokes was based on doing things on my own without putting research in... I will also need to start using some of my crox powder that I picked up. Thanks for all the thoughts and perspectives on this topic!

Originally Posted by Bdnield

Wow, this became quite the topic! Yes the intital "too few" strokes was based on doing things on my own without putting research in... I will also need to start using some of my crox powder that I picked up. Thanks for all the thoughts and perspectives on this topic!

Yeah, just give different things a go, and see what the result is, as you have seen we all do things a bit differently, and all get shaves we like.

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

Whatever works for you. But in my experience, diamond spray cuts really fast. 5 - 10 laps on an infrequent basis is usually enough to keep an edge up and running for a while. And it seemed to make an edge harsh with too much use. That's why 20/shave seems like way too much.

You were right. The daily 10 laps destroyed my edge. I tried refreshing it this morning and it still wasn't enough. I'm going to have to re-hone it. I got out another razor I had fixed up the same day and the difference was night and day.

I think the diamond paste as a finisher right after the hone job is OK, because I initially got great shaves.

This is the best forum for learning straight shaving, and I really appreciate the members advice. Sometimes I'll re-read something or re-watch a video and learn something new. When I make a mistake the members are here to offer some perspective as to what my problems are. Thanks, folks.

Well I thank you for giving it a try and sharing your findings with us.

OK fellas, I got my edge back with Lynn's Shapton video, except that I needed to do more on the 4000 to reverse my zealous overstropping with the diamond paste. After I finished with the Shaptons, I did 10 laps with a 1 micron, 10 laps with a .5 micron, and 10 laps with a .25 micron.

FROM NOW ON, I will just do my 30 felt, 60 laps kangaroo before and after each shave until the shaves dictate I need a refresh.

I will agree with the original poster. I do 30 laps the night before and 30 before the morning shave. I test the arm hair after 30 laps and it kind of does it but after another 30 it does it with ease. according to the famous verhoeven paper, doing beyond a certain amount doesn't help much more so I guess one has to find what works for them.

Originally Posted by H8Blood

I'll try to find the article with the pictures from under the microscope. But even DOVO says so on their website

Thiers Issard maintenance instructions also says something to this effect "Putting at rest your razor every other day allows it to get its sharpness back." Two big razor companies recommend this maybe its true.