Thread: I have the tools...

...but not the knowledge.

I've built up my gear for razor maintenance, and I'd like some advice on how I should use it.

I picked up a barbers hone from ebay, it's an old carborundum co. (the ones in the green box). It is in great shape. very flat and no chips and it's very smooth to the touch. I lapped it on sandpaper for a bit just to clean off some grime. The markings are faded, but it looks like the first number is a 3, it possibly says "310".

My second tool is a paddle strop that I put together, with cowhide on one side and basswood on the other. I have some CrO paste from Chris L on the way.

So my question is, how should I use this stuff?

I have 2 razors right now. One is a dovo best quality that was honed by floppyshoes. I imageine for this one I should only hit the hone when it has chips or blemishes on the edge, and use the CrO when it starts to pull when shaving.

My second razor is an es-ex that I picked up on ebay to practice honing with. It has no chips or tarnishing, and it is still quite sharp. It passed the thumb nail test when I bought it. I took it for a few strokes on the carborundum yesterday and got it to feel pretty close on the thumb pad to my dovo. I imagine the next step would be to take it on the CrO and then strop it lots?

I hope this kit that I've put together is enough to maintain my blades. Any info/comments would be much appreciated!

Use the barber hone when the chrome ox will no longer keep the blade from pulling or tugging.

Originally Posted by xanderhal

I hope this kit that I've put together is enough to maintain my blades.

I think it is (don't know much about the hone), but your second razor is probably not at the level of maintenance and may need a coarser hones. You can try with the hone and see what it does.

Originally Posted by gugi

I think it is (don't know much about the hone), but your second razor is probably not at the level of maintenance and may need a coarser hones. You can try with the hone and see what it does.

Is there any danger in overdoing this? i.e. Is there a maximum number of strokes I should attempt before I decide that it needs a coarser hone?

Generally speaking it only takes 3-5 laps(roundtrip)up and down the hone to refresh the blade.