Thread: KEEPING RAZOR SHARP

I bought a strop (cloth and leather)...besides this, should I get anything else to keep the razor sharp until it needs to be honed? I have read I could go a couple of months before it needs to be hones, what should I do between?

You could get a barber hone and/or some CrO on balsa.

These 2 items would keep you going for awhile providing you do not do anything catastrophic to your blade.

I bought the razor shave ready....what course is a barber hone? If I just bought one to keep it going for now....10k, 12k?..........I have several hunting knives, could I sharpen them with the same stones?

Barber hones are about 10k grit and you can pick them up on eBay for around $25. I would advise keeping your knife and razor stones separate because the knives will wear the hones far more than a razor.

Barber hones are also probably a bit small to use with knives, being about 5"x1.5".

Different edge requirements for a knife than a razor. My method for blade maintenance is as follows:

1. Daily stropping
2. CrO pasted paddle strop every 5-6 weeks (YMMV)
3. Norton 4K/8K every 2-3 months (YMMV)

The time to put your razor on a pasted strop or hone is really dictated by the edge, i.e., the razor begins to tug when you shave. The time between the pasted strop and hone varies depending on your usage (how many razors in your rotation), shave techniques, etc... Unless you damage your edge, you will not need to redo the edge for a very long time.

Thanks guys....i think i will buy a set for my knives....and just buy a 10k for the touch ups every couple of months...I think that should cover me.

CrO on balsa works the best for me

Originally Posted by spechobbies

CrO on balsa works the best for me

I have the same quandary about buying a hone. I'd like to be able to afford a set, or even the 4k/8k norton for now but this seems the most cost effective. I've read various things about making your own balsa hone/paddle. One thing in particular that I wonder about is whether you need to lap the balsa or not. Some say its soft and pliable where it doesn't require it and others say it is necessary.

Originally Posted by Stubear

Barber hones are about 10k grit and you can pick them up on eBay for around $25.

There's dozens of "barber hones" listed on eBay, with more listed every day. How do you separate the good from the bad?

Originally Posted by C0ckRobin

There's dozens of "barber hones" listed on eBay, with more listed every day. How do you separate the good from the bad?

Mostly from the physical shape they are in.

Most are finishers though there are afew that are lower grit. Unless you are familiar with them you just have to assume it will be a typical finisher.