Thread: Razor Maintenance

Hello. I am a total newcomer to the straight shaving world, and have a basic question about maintenance of the razor. I am more than willing to learn to hone my razors - but that will come later.

For now I woudl liek some advice on how to maintain - is a 12K stone the way to go, or a pasted strop with hand american chrome ox?

Thanks in advance.

Barry

Barry, there are a number of ways to keep your razors sharp. Some members here swear by barber hones.Others use pastes of different grits applied to strops. Others just buy a whole honing setup. I bought a Chinese 12k and have not used it yet. I have been using diamond spray with very good results. Razors are sharp everytime with only a few strokes.

Al raz.

I'd like to buy a barber hone - but havent found one yet.

diamond spray? is that the stuff from the japanese knife sharpening site? wjhat grit is that? I just received a smaple of diamond lapping film at 0.3 micron - that might work for a final sharpening, I think?

I'm open to whatever suggestions I can find.

Barry

0.3u is good for this. eventually it's a matter of preference.

A pasted strop or a finishing hone are both viable options. Touching up the razor on a hone takes a little more skill and practice, but leads to better longevity of the edge (in general). A pasted strop is a lot easier to use, it's generally a lot cheaper, but it can lead to less longevity (i.e. more frequeny touch-ups).

It's just a matter of preference and how much you're willing to spend.

Hi Barry. Many members use both for a really killer edge, so you don't have to be limited to one or the other. Eventually we all find our personal preferences. I'm still on the fence on this one.

Ryan

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Hi Barry. Many members use both for a really killer edge, so you don't have to be limited to one or the other. Eventually we all find our personal preferences. I'm still on the fence on this one.

Ryan

Ryan -

I see you're from canada too - any suggestions for a place to get paste for stropping north of the border? also looking for a barber hone

Barry

A high grit stone may be the ideal way to go if you have the money and know you will acquire the skill as time progresses, but a Chromium Oxide pasted strop will cost you little now and you will probably have instant success with your edges.

Look for a good barber hone, they are hard to come by but are worth the wait.

My first choice is the barber's hone. Keep looking, you'll find one. Second choice would be a good natural stone such as a Belgian (coticule).

Regardless of which hone you choose - once you master the art of stropping you'll find that you use your hone only a couple of times a year. Really.


Scott