Some questions from a newbie

So I've been looking into starting to use a straight razor, and I've done quite a bit of research (read some good articles, looked through the FAQ and Beginner's Guide here on SRP). There are, however, a few things I'm still a bit confused on.

First, how do people recommend keeping up the edge of the razor after a few weeks or months of shaving? I plan to buy a professionally honed razor, but I'll need to sharpen it eventually. Should I buy a relatively fine hone, like one of those 4000/8000 combo stones, or should I use stropping paste?

Also, I've heard that you're supposed to use mineral oil to prevent the blade from rusting, but I'm not sure how. Do you just put oil on the blade and let it sit? And how often do you need to use oil?

Any help on either or both of these questions would be much appreciated.

Welcome to SRP!

To maintain your razor between honings you might be best served by a pasted paddle instead of a 4K/8K stone. Chromium Oxide and/or diamond spray work quite well for minor touch ups.

If you decide to get involved in honing the 4K/8K range will be a key part of your equipment, but is probably not the right tool for touch ups. I think you would be better served with something more in the finishing range. A lot of guys like Coticules for that and given the right circumstances a coticule can be pretty versatile when used with slurries or plain water. I think a better choice would be a high grit Naniwa or Shapton.

If you buy stainless razor won't have to worry about rust.With carbon- I don't use any oil simple after shaving I dry my razor very carefuly wth toilet paper and keep in a dry place, so far no rust.As written above naniwa 5, 8 and eventually 12k will be enough, but for the beginning your bigger worry should be stropping.Good luck

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Originally Posted by mojka

If you buy stainless razor won't have to worry about rust.

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Not quite.

So what do we mean when we say that stainless steel is stainless? Does that mean if we spill our coffee on it that it won't stain? Not exactly. The name gets it origin from the fact that stainless steel corrodes or rusts less easily than ordinary steel.

True, but I hope we consider normal explatation :)

Jump in, but I warn you...SR shaving is addictive & the RAD is tough to cope with some time;-)

What these guys said, except I have no experience with stainless...but no interest either. The first SR you put to your face should be one that is truely "shave ready" from a honemeister. There are a handful offering their services in the classifieds. This way you will know what a good edge feels like.

IMO, stropping is something that you need to learn before you consider honing & polishing an edge. Most of us have rolled an edge when first starting out stropping.

If you plan on jumping into touching up the edge on your SR, start with a higher/finishing stone. If you buy a 4/8K stone, use the 8K side first. Less damage that way.

When I finish shaving, I dry my SR well & give it a few passes on the strop & put it up. I'm up to a weeks worth of SR's & no rust. If I were to really put one away for more than a week, you bet your tail that I would oil it up.

That's my two cents FWIW...

when using mineral oil i have a small 2oz bottle i got from walmart with a flip top. the mixture is 1/4 mineral oil and the rest with isopropyl alcohol and mix well before coating the blade. the alcohol will evaporate and leave a thin layer of oil on the blade. straight mineral oil is a little thick and messy IMO. be sure to wipe the blade clean before stropping or shaving with it.