Thread: When will I need to send my razor off to get it honed?

I'd suggest to send it to Lynn a SRD.

There are also some great guys here on the forum.

And welcome to SRP!!!
Check out the library, there's a TON of great info there.
Ask questions, we're here to help
Enjoy and have fun!!!

I second what Dave said.
I'd also send it out for a real honing and pick up a second one off the B/S/T thread. Keep one with the perfect edge for comparison. When you think the one your using daily is getting dull or if you had a bad shave, you can break out the perfect edged razor and compare.

Read info in the library and welcome to SRP. A lot of great folks here so ask all the questions you want that have to do with Straight Razors and lots of folks with be happy to answer.

Douglas, yes, good-great quality stones are a bit pricey. I found a few of my 4 stones at a decent price. Don't worry about acquiring any natural Japanese stones or Belgian coticule stones or any Thuringian stones. I bought a 1000/3000 Suehiro stone. It is a Japanese company. I paid an affordable price for it. This one you can use to set the bevel of your razor. I next bought a 4000/8000 grit stone that was made by the famous Norton. You can find them decently priced on feebay (EBay). I then bought a 12,000 Shapton stone to finish them on. That is also a Japanese company. But these 2 Japanese stones I bought are not natural stones, they are made. "Jnat" is often used as an abbreviation for Japanese natural stones. I had no previous experience honing anything. I watched a few vids, got the simple, easy instructions down and did it myself. It is not actually hard to make a razor shave-ready. You can do this just like the rest of us learned to do. Jump in! The water is FINE!

Oh, yes! Welcome. I forgot that part. Oops.

Welcome!!

Its probably feeling sharper because you are getting better at angles, pressure, prep and stropping.

It will get dull though, my first line defense is a Chromium Oxide pasted strop for up to 20 laps then strop as usual, when that stops working then an 8k+ hone gets used (barber hone, synthetic or natural finisher)

Getting a 2nd from the B/S/T or some other place that sells shave ready razors would be good option in case one needs to be sent for a full honing or you just want some variety (or get addicted like most of us lol!!)

Welcome to the Forum. One more for having it honed. It might be a good idea to have 1 more razor while one is being honed (no down time). I think, reading your post, you've gotten off to a good start. You are in good hands here, these guys have so much combined knowledge it will make your head spin, take advantage of their experience.

Thank you all for the good advice and welcoming replies. I am going follow your advice to get a second SR and send my first off to be properly honed. SRP is really a fantastic resource and discovery for me.

Hello Douglas and welcome to SRP.
I fully agree with having a second razor for comparison, possibly honed by the same person.
When you feel that razor #1 is starting to pull, tug and just doesn't seem right, shave with the second one to feel the difference. You'll know right away. There is no set time for this to happen. Some razors edges last way longer than others. It depends on the grind, the steel and how coarse your beard is.
It also helps to have a second razor handy for when you have to send the first one out for honing.
Enjoy your time here on the forum and have fun learning.

Pete <:-}

I need to get a couple of razors honed -- one is NOS. The new one is a Henckel Friodur "no stain", which I understand is a bit harder to hone.

I know that hundreds of members will hone razors for a fee. I just can't find a list. Apparently, there was an active Members' Services page at one time. But there are only 2 posts in it.