Thread: Can't Keep Razor Sharp

Scott,

Like most things, there are different strokes for different folks. I keep reading about gents going months on end without honing etc. but even my best razors are asking for a tweak at the end of the week. I don't have a particularly heavy beard though it does seem to be wiry. By tweak I mean a few laps on a chromium oxide pasted strop in my case... or perhaps 10 round trips on my Coticule before the CrO2 if it's been a while. I just happen to like my edges "piquant" rather than super smooth, other gents go the other way. Sounds like you're more in my camp. All that said, your razor might need some slight tweaking on a fine hone or two rather than a pasted strop.Pasted strops are fine but eventually the bevel needs to be brought back to straight and flat and that is best done on a hone or two.

I don't think I'd be concerned about your razor being a lower end Dovo.... yes, razors do make a difference but 90% is in regards to shape/size/finish rather than actual edge performance. My 150+ year old Sheffield razors shave just about as well as my latest custom razor... ok, I admit it... my Joe Chandler DOES shave smoother but it's probably as much the shape and weight plus pride in ownership as it is in brute capability. From my 4/8" Carbo Magnetic to my big wedges to my Joe Chandler custom, they all shave very very well when the edge is honed correctly and like I said, my preference is to tweak them lightly about once a week with a pasted strop or a fine hone. Others have great success with using linen to do the tweaking... I'm trying the same and it does seem to work but not quite as well as a pasted leather strop.... so far.

Regards

Christian