Thread: Razor Wear

Hi all

I am in need of some help. I am just about to embark on a purchase of my first Straight razor and I have a few questions.

A particular razor I have seen advertised (Boker "King Cutter") is described as having medium hone wear approx 1mm. I am presuming this to be the width of the ridge formed along the spine through honing, is this correct. Also does 1mm sound excessive, how much more honing is likely to be left in this razor. As I am in my middle years, will this razor see me out.

Thanks in advance

John

Originally Posted by JohnG

will this razor see me out.

John, I think I speak for everyone at SRP when I say that if you start straight razor shaving, you'll need a LOT more than one razor.

I don't know much about the 1mm hone wear, but if you think it's a good deal, get it. I bought my first razor (Genco 5/8) on here three weeks ago, and I'm already looking at another. I think you should be fine with the 1mm hone wear, provided your Razor Acquisition Disorder (RAD) kicks in, which it most likely will.

I'd still wait to hear from a seasoned pro before going all the way through with it; but I think you'll probably get another razor after your first, as one is NEVER enough, and you'll be fine then.

Chadd

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Originally Posted by Whatsthe2ndDfor

John, I think I speak for everyone at SRP when I say that if you start straight razor shaving, you'll need a LOT more than one razor.

I don't know much about the 1mm hone wear, but if you think it's a good deal, get it. I bought my first razor (Genco 5/8) on here three weeks ago, and I'm already looking at another. I think you should be fine with the 1mm hone wear, provided your Razor Acquisition Disorder (RAD) kicks in, which it most likely will.

I'd still wait to hear from a seasoned pro before going all the way through with it; but I think you'll probably get another razor after your first, as one is NEVER enough, and you'll be fine then.

Chadd

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Hi Chad

Thanks for your comments. I think I understand what you mean as I have 5 DE's at home.
However, I rather foolishly thought that one Straight would last a lifetime, if looked after carefully, thus reducing RAD. My wife will kill me if she thinks I need a set of straight's aswell.
I really dont want to part with my DE's, well not yet anyway.

Thanks again

John

1mm is more than usual, so this razor has definitely been used. it's also not bad, nor anywhere near the end of its useful life. i have CAUSED more hone wear than that on some of my restored razors, so I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. if you like the razor, go for it.

if anything, it should be reassuring... someone liked shaving with it well enough to use it that much.

Originally Posted by jockeys

1mm is more than usual, so this razor has definitely been used. it's also not bad, nor anywhere near the end of its useful life. i have CAUSED more hone wear than that on some of my restored razors, so I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. if you like the razor, go for it.

if anything, it should be reassuring... someone liked shaving with it well enough to use it that much.

Thats really helpful thanks,

All the best

John

I would have to agree with Jockeys, there is still a lot of life to this razor.

I now have 3 King Cutters, all with a fair bit of hone wear. But that doesn't mean they're bad shavers, I quite like them actually! Boker's a good name, I say go for it

With a proper maintenance razors really get very little hone wear. It's the initial sharpening that puts it. Don't chip it or leave it to get rusted and your grandchildren should be able to use it.

One straight razor should last a lifetime, provided its good quality and well taken care of. However, the question is, will you get a bad case of RAD and pick up more? I've only got one that's shave worthy right now, and its done me well, but I've got a few in the restoration process.

+1 on what jockeys said.

Originally Posted by gugi

With a proper maintenance razors really get very little hone wear. It's the initial sharpening that puts it. Don't chip it or leave it to get rusted and your grandchildren should be able to use it.

I'm glad you said that. All 4 of my razors have near 1mm of hone wear on the spine, and I've had them less than 2 months (the time I've been straight shaving.) One of them I haven't even honed myself since I bought it shave-ready.

I think of the 1mm hone wear as part of the breaking-in process.