Thread: what is your honing and stropping technique and system

Hello

I am new to shaving and am doing alot of research about sharpening razors. I have read tons about first hones finish hones...

I would like to ask everyone what they do for sharpening. Just a quick list of the order of tools and which ones ... something like this. This is not what i do just an example of what i am looking for.

1k norton
4k norton
8k norton
12k chineese

1.0 paste on paddle
.5 paste on paddle

linen
leather

lather and shave...

i am looking for some ideas about what to get for honing and for stropping with pastes and what people like best...and what works economically for me...

thanks for all your help and advice...i get such great tips from this forum...

A heart welcome to SRP!

A few things to consider. First, if you are brand-spanking new to straight razors I'd like to offer a few suggestions prior to taking off on a rather expensive start. You will need the following to start your quest:

1. SHAVE READY straight razor
2. Strop (hanging is best, but paddle will work)
3. Shave soap/cream (personal preference)
4. Shaving brush (can be had for as little as $5 to well over $200)

A shave ready razor can be had from 3 different sources. The first 2 are the easiest. Either the classifieds (5/8 or 6/8 round point the best to start). Or a starter set from someone like Kenrup (search the Vendor's Corner forum). Last, buy yourself your new razor, then send it to one of honemeister's to get it shave ready for you. (Depending on where you pruchase it it might already come pre-honed and truly shave ready. You can ask here if that is the case.)

You don't really need the hones to start straight razor shaving. But if you really want to get them, you should consider the Norton 4000/8000 and the Chinese hard stone or a coticule. Then you will need some paste (either Chromium Oxide or diamond) as a final polishing agent. A paddle strop works best, but there are other devices too (e.g., linen side of a strop). You should get yourself one or two inexpensive razors from ebay or an antique shop/fair to develop your honing skills. The shave ready razor can be used to compare your honed edge against.

Last, but not least, read through the wealth of information in the forums here. You will have the benefit of learning other people's experiences. You might also get a copy of Lynn's CD. It a great investment for the novice...

+1 to what Dan just wrote, very concise and informative post Dan..

I too am rather new to stra8 razor shaving. How often would you strop a razor (# shaves)? I have read every 3 - 5 shaves. How often would you hone a razor? I have read once a year unless the blade is noticably dull after stropping. I do intend to buy the Lynn Abrams CD, BTW.

Originally Posted by Maplerunner

I too am rather new to stra8 razor shaving. How often would you strop a razor (# shaves)? I have read every 3 - 5 shaves.

Nonsense. Try this: strop +how +often site:straightrazorplace.com - Google Search

Originally Posted by Maplerunner

How often would you hone a razor? I have read once a year unless the blade is noticably dull after stropping.

Nonsense, too. How long does a razor stay sharp? - Straight Razor Place Forums

I strop when the razor starts feeling duller than it did last time I shaved. This has happened after every shave for me so far. And if stropping isn't enough, I hone it. And if honing isn't enough, I buy more hones. And if that isn't enough, I get cranky and buy another razor.

Welcome at first


1 st question=believe or not you will need to strop everytime (30-50 strokes) some people likes to strop in the middle of the shave.
2 nd is depends a lot factors what type blade you have ,how often do you shave +your facial hair etc
will be ones 3-6 months.

a good blade you could go for a 1 year.
hope this helps

My list

• A concrete block for lapping hones (used on almost every new hone that I acquire. Cheap, fast, and most of the blocks I've tried work surprisingly well.)
• A DMT D8C for finer lapping of hones (also used on hones for "routine maintenance" lapping, on knives, and for "major" razor repairs)
• A DMT D6E for setting bevels fast, knives, and razor repairs.
• A DMT D8EE for setting/refining bevels.
• Barber hones for finishing. (4 of which are almost exclusively used, nowadays. Swaty, Apart, pocket Carborundum Co. model, or a combination No. 00 Frictionite; any of those 4 seem to work well on all my razors)
• Newspaper to strop (as the final step (sometimes))

Once I have a razor's edge set, I never use anything on them except a barber hone, newspaper, and a strop (barring accidental damage).


I have a hanging strop that works ok.
A rather old 1.25" wide Torrey loom strop that works better (for me).
A homemade paddle strop: 1 & 3/8" wide latigo strip 8.5" long mounted on a 0.75" thick piece of seasoned, sealed red oak. I use this for stropping when I want to be picky, slow, and meticulous.
The Torrey and the paddle both travel well and are easy to pack. I never use linen or canvas, maybe someday I'll try it.

Pastes do not like my beard much. Of the ones I tried, 0.5 chrome oxide was my personal preference.

I like a boar brush because it works well with William's soap. I like Williams because...not sure why...the scent mainly, probably because Grandpa used to use it... I like some of the Bay Rum soaps a lot too.

If I had to make a minimal beginners selection: a DMT D8EE and, if my face liked pastes, 0.5 chrome oxide on a paddle.That outfit will not require any lapping. If you do not like pastes for any reason, a barber hone or Chinese 12k (both will likely need lapping).

The fun is in finding out what works the best for you.

Every year I seem to change technique , at this time I alternate 7 razors in a week.
DMT fine diamond to Spyderco Medium, fine for restores, Ultra fine for honings after 6 to 10 shaves per
blade (lightly) depending on the razor, (my spydercos are well used), 1 homemade flat strop 12" 2 strips side by side
one side alu OX, 1 side raw, for post honing refinement 20-30 passes per side, and and old antique paddle strop for maintenance while shaving. I lightly strop while shaving-maybe just a couple of passes to clean up the edge, rinse, dry, then use a light leather waterproofing grease for storing. Some of the blades I will strop 20 passes after the shave, always a couple or more passes for all before the shave. It's kind of a strop or hone by feel kinda thing for me.

Every year I seem to change technique , at this time I alternate 7 razors in a week.
DMT fine diamond to Spyderco Medium, fine for restores, Ultra fine for honings after 6 to 10 shaves per
blade depending on the razor, (my spydercos are well used), 1 homemade flat strop 12" 2 strips side by side
one side alu OX, 1 side raw, for post honing refinement 20-30 passes per side, and and old antique paddle strop for maintenance while shaving. I lightly strop while shaving-maybe just a couple of passes to clean up the edge, rinse, dry, then use a light leather waterproofing grease for storing. Some of the blades I will strop 20 passes after the shave, always a couple or more passes for all before the shave. It's kind of a strop or hone by feel kinda thing for me.