Thread: Frequency of honing?

At the start most peoples skill set is at a low level. Poor shaving technique, a misstep stropping and possibly dinging the edge on the tap or dropping a razor are all more likely than later on. So, like everyone else has said more at the start less later on. I think bluesman7's estimate of 2-4 rehones in the first year might be pretty close.

If you dive right in to honing at the start on top of learning to shave and maintain a straight razor with stropping you are in for a can of worms. I pretty much did that and it wasn't pretty for the longest while. Nothing associated with shaving with a straight razor is as simple or easy as it looks at first glance. It is also not as cheap as it looks at first glance either.

How you proceed is up to you.

Bob

The amount of time and edge will last, is totally dependent on your stropping ability, as Glenn said the time will increase as your ability improves.

It is not unusual for an edge to last a month or two for a novice. It is improper stropping that damage the edge, not regular use.

Stropping is very under rated skill. A properly stropped razor will shave for up to a year, with a pasted strop, indefinitely.
The most common problem novice stroppers have is too much pressure, an edge can be damaged with a single stroke.

I've got a large rotation and I might not shave with the same razor twice for months. OTOH, I may have a few favorites that I use frequently. Once I forced myself to rotate between a Ralf Aust and a TI Super Gnome. Used one every other day to see how long they would last.

After a few weeks I got bored with shaving with the same razors and went back to my usual large rotation. I still shave with both of those every so often and they are still fine. So to answer your question, it depends.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

.....Stropping is very under rated skill. A properly stropped razor will shave for up to a year, with a pasted strop, indefinitely.......

+1...I agree with Marty. I've heard accounts (or rather 'read' accounts) of old time Barbers being able to get a hundred + ( or more!) customer shaves with the proper and efficient use of a quality linen/leather strop. When I have a razor that 'isn't quite right' I find that some extra laps (100-200) on the strops will more often than not solve the problem...assuming of course that there is no real obvious edge damage present.

My opinion is that a 'shaver' only ( not a hobbyist or collector ) really doesn't need a set of hones. A rotation of 2-3 quality razors that were properly honed, a good quality strop, a pasted strop, and a quality ( rather inexpensive) Barber's hone for touch-ups will keep you going for quite a long time...as Marty says maybe indefinitely.

Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

My opinion is that a 'shaver' only ( not a hobbyist or collector ) really doesn't need a set of hones. A rotation of 2-3 quality razors that were properly honed, a good quality strop, a pasted strop, and a quality ( rather inexpensive) Barber's hone for touch-ups will keep you going for quite a long time...as Marty says maybe indefinitely.

You guys are all awesome I was very tentative about posting this as I knew it was a YMMV thing but I'm glad I did now lol

What is a barber's hone? A finishing stone?

My local barber said he would give me his straight razor, his strop and stone. He said the blade is 50 over 50 years old but in good condition. I'm not holding my breath on the quality of these and will probably stilll buy new ones.

Originally Posted by bluesman7

My advice would be to put off buying stones at least until after your first professional re hone. By the time you need your second re hone you will have a better feel for how often you're going to need it and your shaving and stropping skills will have improved dramatically.

I wanted to put it off for at least a year, I was thinking 2, just so I'll have a clear idea what shave ready means and how long it takes to dull etc...

I'll be using the modular paddle which I hear is good for beginners.

This thread is an example of why I bought and started out with 2 razors.
Your face tells you what you need to know.
Each one with a different scale color.
Then I started with one and used it until my face felt the pain.
Switched to the next to see if the experience was me or the razor.
If my shave went well, that is when I sent in the razor to be honed.
I paid attention to the time in between hones and this gave me a general idea of when I would be honing myself and then what the feel was like with the razor needing to be honed.

Originally Posted by RedGladiator

You guys are all awesome I was very tentative about posting this as I knew it was a YMMV thing but I'm glad I did now lol

What is a barber's hone? A finishing stone?

My local barber said he would give me his straight razor, his strop and stone. He said the blade is 50 over 50 years old but in good condition. I'm not holding my breath on the quality of these and will probably stilll buy new ones.

i would think they would be ok, bear in mind they were tools of his trade, that would see a lot of service, so why would he buy poor quality or not look after his equipment?
Barber hones are a touch up hone basically.

Originally Posted by RedGladiator

My local barber said he would give me his straight razor, his strop and stone. He said the blade is 50 over 50 years old but in good condition. I'm not holding my breath on the quality of these and will probably stilll buy new ones.

You might be surprised how nice that Barber's equipment is. A strop (and razor) can easily be recondition. The barbers hone could be all the refinishing stone that you need... I would be real friendly with that barber!

Originally Posted by ChopperDave

I would be real friendly with that barber!

He's giving me this stuff for free, really hoping they are in good condition. He has been cutting my hair for 20+ years, top bloke. He uses a shavette for work and a DE for home.

On another note, should I consider 1.0 or 2.0 micron sprays? (I haven't ordered yet but will be ordering the modular paddle that comes with 0.5 macron spray included.)