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07-04-2017, 11:36 PM #1
- Join Date
- Jul 2017
- Location
- Washington DC
- Posts
- 2
Thanked: 0Do I have everything I need to shave for life?
Hi all. I'm hoping to get some advice from folks who are more seasoned than I am on what I need to be self-sufficient in my shaving gear for life.
Since I started straight razor shaving a little over 2 years ago I have tried to buy everything I need to be self-sufficient. In terms of razors I have the following:
Boker Linden Elm
Boker King Cutter
J.A. Henckels Twin Works 18
Gold Dollar 66 (I bought it to practice honing but takes a decent edge)
Puma Special 89 (by far my favorite)
For stones I have a Norton 4000x8000 and a Fernsler's Ruby Hone. I also have an Illinois 827 linen/leather strop.
I have followed the paste debate and the consensus seems to be that .05 chromium oxide would be the way to go. I've seen Lynn use the CrOx .5 micron on the back side of a linen strop to freshen up blades and I know some swear by using it to finish an blade after honing. I feel like 8-12 laps on the Fernsler gets me a really nice edge, and I also use it to touch up blades between honing.
Do I need something finer than the Fernsler or anything else to maintain my blades? It's hard to justify spending $300+ for a Shapton 30,000, Jnat or Belgian coticule given that I'm middle income, only use my equipment for personal use, and I seem to be getting pretty good edges as it is. Will getting a .5 micron CrOx paste give me a finer edge than the Fernsler or do people just prefer doing a couple laps on a pasted strop to refresh rather than taking out a small finishing stone? Do I really need to buy anything I don't already have to keep my blades shaving for life?
I appreciate any advice.
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07-04-2017, 11:39 PM #2
If you're getting good shaves with what you have I'd say stick with it. A Naniwa 12k might put a bit of icing on the cake, but lots of guys used to be happy with the 4/8 and maybe a bit of chrom-ox on a paddle (aside from the regular untreated hanging strop)
Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.
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The Following User Says Thank You to JimmyHAD For This Useful Post:
jschwegel (07-04-2017)
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07-04-2017, 11:50 PM #3
How are your shaves? It seems that you are looking for something more. If you are not happy then you need it. If not....
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07-05-2017, 12:10 AM #4
- Join Date
- Jul 2017
- Location
- Washington DC
- Posts
- 2
Thanked: 0My shaves have felt good, but I've only ever shaved on blades I've restored myself so I don't have much of a frame of reference. I was watching honing demonstrations and reading comments about the expensive equipment some people were using and then started reading about using pastes, and I wondered if I was missing out on something. I feel like I'm getting good shaves on the equipment I have now, but I don't know if a few laps on .5 micron CrOx after I finish with the Fernsler would make it better. I'm also not sure where one even gets quality CrOx anymore since half the forums I read suggested Hand American which evidently hasn't been in stock in years.
As to the Naniwa 12k, I saw an experiment that seemed to indicate that the Fernsler's hone is roughly in the 15k neighborhood. Would the Naniwa 12k be better than this? I guess there's more to stones than just the fineness, and I am only comparing numbers.
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07-05-2017, 12:28 AM #5
- Join Date
- Mar 2012
- Location
- Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
- Posts
- 17,308
Thanked: 3228If you are getting shaves that are close enough, comfortable enough and smooth enough to satisfy you, then you are more or less set. OTH if you want to experiment a bit to try and see if you can improve your edge and shave that is a different story.
As far as expensive equipment goes, just remember that previous generations were able to shave well with far less gear than we use today.
BobLife is a terminal illness in the end
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07-05-2017, 12:54 AM #6
My $0.02...
Admire your restraint - you seem to be on the path to a great set up.
If you want to try another finisher I would suggest sending one of your razors out to someone to hone. It would give you a frame of reference without committing to another rock.
But if this is working for you...many of us would like to have been able to stop in your spot...
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07-05-2017, 01:21 AM #7
Funny you would post this, I am in the midst of the same consideration. I have more than I need at the moment and intend to divest myself of the un-needed remnants of purchasing rather than deliberately collecting. I feel that you really "need" very little if you are getting good shaves and that you can look after your favorites in a better manner than having a large quantity of gear.
Just my .02
Mikemwfick on instagram
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07-05-2017, 01:25 AM #8
I agree with what was said ^^^^ there. It would be a real good idea to get a razor professionally honed. You may be right on with what you're doing, but until you've shaved with a masters edge, you'll just never know.
I also admire your restraint.Look sharp and smell nice for the ladies.~~~Benz
Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring ― Marilyn Monroe
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07-05-2017, 02:13 AM #9
- Join Date
- Apr 2008
- Location
- Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
- Posts
- 2,944
Thanked: 433if you can avoid all the "_AD's" you are set for life as long as you don't ding up a blade or cut the strop badly.
I 2nd getting one pro honed just to have a benchmark to compare your progress with.
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07-05-2017, 02:27 AM #10
I'd agree with JimmyHAD, get yourself a Nani 12k, nothing better for putting a really nice finishing edge on a razor, and IMO is the absolute best way to refresh your razors when Crox alone won't do it.
Some lap time on the Nani 12k, some laps on the Crox strop, and IMO again, a superb edge is ensured every time.....