Thread: Need Advice on Sharpening By Myself the First Time

Hello,

I have been shaving off and on for about 3 years with a safety straight razor. In that time, I have learned the basic technique and for the most part, stopped regularly cutting myself.

My goal has been to transition to a real straight edge, but lack of info has really stopped me. I'm glad I have this forum.

Recently, I bought a Shumate straight edge razor at a local antique shop and sent it to an eBay vendor to have sharpened. Well, it was great for about four months and now it needs a little something else to put an extra edge on it.

Right now, I have a Satis Factory barber hone and a 8000 grit hone. I do not have a strope yet.

I would appreciate any recommendations on how to proceed. I don't mind buying a strope or additional hones, but I have been overwhelmed with the level of detail on this forum.

Thanks,

Dkr.

First, buy a strop and use it every time before you shave. Your face will thank you.

A few passes on the barber hone may be all you need. Try about 5 travels on it and see if it shaves better. If not, then do 5 more. If it is still not good, then do 10 travels on the 8k followed by 5 on the barber hone.

Hopefully that will fix you up.

Oh, and Welcome to SRP!

Read over the beginner's information in the library and check out the stuff on honing.

You may want to add your location into your profile. Hopefully one of our members lives near you and can help you out in person.

By all means, but a good latigo strop or better. Watch the numerous videos on YouTube on stroping and honing. Odd you've been able to shave on your straight without stroping. I strop before and after each shave. Number of passes varies. Stroping most important technique you'll learn, next to actual shaving, imo. Watch the videos.

Welcome aboard,,,,
Don't try to learn the whole experience at once,,,, it sounds like you need a touch up on your Shumate. What type of 8K do you have? A couple of pictures of the two stones you have might help too.

Get yourself a 3 inch strop, you will need it to help maintain your edge.

Make sure you are familiar with this link too.

Beginner's Guide to Honing - Straight Razor Place Library

Straight Razor Place - Beginners Tips: November 2014

Welcome, how have you been maintaining the edge, for 4 months?

Photos of the razor would help to advise you but, your next step should be is determined by the condition of the edge. Look at it with magnification and read the first three threads in the honing forum and The Beginners Guide to Straight Razor Shaving.

Once you repair the edge, whatever that may entail, you will still need to maintain it.

I looked at the Latigo strop on Amazon and it looks like it is very good quality. Are there different grades for strops, or are they all the same? I looked at strops today at the local antique stores and was surprised at the ones they are trying to sell of for $90 with a lot of wear.

I didn't do anything to maintain it for four months. I only used it.

Dkr.

Much of the difference between strop materials is the draw...how much resistance you feel when drawing the blade across it. Functionally, they all do the same thing.

Antique strops may be rare, but probably will need conditioning or repair. Not suggested for a first strop. Note that the price someone wants for something doesn't necessarily correlate with quality or ability to be used. The antiques may be more in the nature of a collector's item rather than a functional strop to be used on a daily basis.

4 months with no maintenance at all?! I am amazed it lasted anywhere near that long before you saw a decrease in the edge...
You for sure need a strop, it will help you keep the razor shave ready for a long time by maintaining the sharpness. You don't need to spend a lot, and you might want to try a bench strop first so you don't roll your edge and slice your strop to bits.
By the way- welcome!

Thanks for all the replies. I just ordered a Latigo from the Strop Shop. Below are some pics of what I am working with.

Dkr.