Thread: How often do you need to freshen up the edge ?

I seem to need to freshen up the edge on a pasted strop (.5 micron) about every 7-10 days to prevent irritation. I keep the SRD Latigo strop flat, and strop with very light pressure (The sound is the same as the stropping Wiki video for the SRD Latigo strop). I think I probably have a coarse beard (the hair ends are thick enough to be easily visible after I shave, even though everything feels smooth to the touch).

I've read many places that I shouldn't need to hone for many months. Does this mean I shouldn't need to freshen up the edge for many months, or that after several months, most people will need to "rehone from scratch" (ie: go back to the 4K stone) ?

Thanks.

JohnG10,

Whatever it was you read about not having to hone again for months is generally for the experienced guys. Beard prep, stropping technique, shaving technique etc all come into play when it comes to edge longevity, and all these skills are developed with much practice. Don't feel bad about touching up after 7-10 days (is that 7-10 shaves?), that's pretty decent for a newb, assuming you are a newb. Hey, at least you're not rolling the edge!

The general wisdom is if your razor needs it, hone it. Don't put up with any pulling or discomfort, it's just not worth it. The edge longevity will come in time. Just be aware that if you let the edge "go too far" it will require additional honing rather than just a simple touchup.

I hope this helps.

Ryan

When you feel the razor starting to pull.

There are a lot of factors that determine how often you have to touch up the edge - from beard growth, to technique (pressure, angle), to properly using your strop, especially the linen, to differences in the steel. Going to paste every 7-10 shaves isn't bad. And it is always better to do it sooner rather than later. It is easier to keep an edge sharp than to sharpen an edge.

I'm the same as RayG. Once the razor starts to pull I'll give it a few swipes on the CrOx pasted strop I have in the bathroom. Once that stops being effective I'll use a barber hone to touch up.

I stop mine every time I use it...I keep a pasted balsa below the sink for when it starts to pull..and when that does does the trick I also have an old Enders Hone under the sink and I just do a couple of lcks to get it going again...As for frequency I find that it is Razor dependant...My Vintage Timor needs it about once a year...My Griffin needs it once every two months..My Engels will need it when my son inherits it..

JohnG10,

Depending on the razor, my blades need a brief (5 - 10 laps) touch up on CrOx every 5 - 15 shaves; so, not dissimilar to yourself

Have fun !

regards

Russ

I do barber's hone touchups probably every month, but my touchups are two laps, and ONLY two laps... And I'm probably going to stop that soon... that's just how I've been playing with my razors lately

For me it's about every 4-6 weeks. VERY thick/course beard hair combined with a little excess pressure now and then tends to dull the edge just enough that it starts to pull a little after about a month's worth of shaves.

As others have said, it's all about comfort - don't worry about how frequently/infrequently others need to do refresh the edge. Do it when YOU need to do it. Then, it reaches a point where it still pulls after a CrOx refresh, it'll be time for regular honing on the hone set.

As time goes by and you're skill continue to improve even more, you'll suddenly discover you've had to refresh your blade less frequently.

Thanks for posting this question - This is good to know. I'm a newbie and I find myself wanting to refresh with the CrOx after 4-5 shaves. I think my stropping sucks, so I just can't maintain the blade like the guys who have lots of experience.

I get close, but uncomfortable shaves with my Bismarck most of the time, but its fairly nice after I use the balsa strop.

Part of my learning curve was to figure out when one razor needed some time on the pasted strop vs. others. Its all in the feel and performance of the razor and what you see fit.

One straight I have performs well, but needed a few passes on the straight after every third shave. Others could go much longer.

So no set rule, you just have decide for yourself what works best for you.

Good Luck,

Pabster