Quote Originally Posted by jec38 View Post
Utopian, Thanks. It seemed to me that a 12k hone should be enough to maintain the blade, or paste and sprays. Both were overkill, or simply a desire to "tinker". You and Doughboy have confirmed that. My blades right now are an Rolf Aust, and a Henckel 72.5. Nothing special, and should not require anything special.
jec38,
Its funny you mentioned Henckels. JA Henckels are some every fine, quality razors. Lynn Abrams said in one of his videos "I haven't met a Henckels I didn't like." I had one a while back but sold it, like a dummy. It took 2+ years to find another one in good condition at a reasonable price. I recently picked up a 6/8 Henckels that I honed up, shaved with and it gave a good enough shave but I felt it missing a little. So, I gave it a few strokes on a Swaty to see if it would bring it around. I haven't had a chance to try it again but when I do if it gives a better shave it will be the one I'll use for the experiment.

Most new guys come to SRP looking for str8 razor shaving info and read about guys having all these hones and automatically think they need them to start and when they start checking into hone prices they get overwhelmed. Well, most of the guys with all these hones have been at this a while and have become interested in restoring razors which does require a few hones. For the average new guy learning to shave is the first and most important aspect and if only interested in shaving all that is needed is a good strop and a barber hone. Utopian is proof you can maintain a razor for years with just those basic tools.

Those two razors you have, the Rolf Aust & Henckels, are both top notch razors and should be all you will need for a lifetime of close, comfortable and enjoyable shaves, a strop and barber hone is all you need to keep them shaving that way. Happy Shaving!