Thread: Keeping the razor sharp....

Greetings,

This has probably been asked a thousand times over, but:

1.: I didn't check the Wiki thouroughly enough, or
2.: Could not make heads nor tales of ALL the wisdom here on the forum.

Basically it's this: a new (shave ready) straight razor. HOW do you KEEP IT shave ready?

With a sharpening stone? (and if so: what kind?) or:
With a strop? (and if so: What kind of strop?)

Your input is greatly appreciated, and thanks in advance for putting up with THIS newbie......

Regards,

RazorBack

P.s.: dumb questions perhaps, but (years ago) i have already failed once, i don't want that to happen again. Really want to learn shaving with a straight......

Stropping is the answer I think you're after. Honing is for the more experienced or the experimenter of razor restoration. As for what kind of strop...It's personal choice really. I have heard that the 'Filly' is a cheap starters strop. Others from your part of the world will be of better assistance in that regard. SRD strops seem to be all the rage for those who are beyond the strop destroying stage. Good stropping technique will maintain the edge of your razor for some time. Eventually you will need to send it out for re-honing or take the time to learn. Basic kit is all that required, maybe a set of Norton stones up to 8k grit and a double sided strop.


Mick

Proper stropping is a key part of using a straight. But even with good stropping technique your razor will eventually start to pull and won't cut as smoothly as it does when it is freshly honed. At that point you need to touch up the edge with either a high grit hone or a special strop that is treated with an abrasive material.

The most traditional (at least the oldest) method is to use a Barbers hone and give the razor a few laps to freshen it up. Currently many of us substitute a fine grit hone or hones for the Barber hone. Something like a Naniwa 12, Shapton 16 or a Chinese 12K are common choices.

Another alternative is a paddle or hanging strop treated with an abrasive material. Some choices here would be leather, hard felt or linen. The most popular abrasives would be diamond spray, diamond paste, CrOx spray or CrOx paste. There are lots of other alternatives including boron oxide or even ashes.

I like to use a stone followed by diamond spray on felt, but there are many differences of opinion here. Experimentation is advisable. If you are looking for a specific recommendation I would go with a modular paddle and spray from SRD. You can expand on that as you progress, but that will get you started very nicely with a ton of flexibility.

It's easier to keep your razor sharp than to re-sharpen it and you can keep it going for quite a while by doing so. Eventually, however, your razor will need re- honing by someone that knows how to do it. You can either learn yourself or send it out to a Honemeister.

Gents,

Thank you for the quick and kind replies.
a few more questions:

1.: with a strap, you'll also need paste or sprays. This is for (periodical) maintenance??
2.: When a sharpeningstone is mentioned, does the (for instance) "12k" stands for "12000 grit"??

Once again many thanks for your input; much appreciated!!

Cheers,

RazorBack

Like most guy's you are not reading the instructions. Who need's instructions.... you do, that's who. I am not being an ass, just re-focus, you do not want to waste your money. Strops help with maintaining the razors edge yes. You are getting ahead of yourself with the pastes and sprays. Don't worry about that stuff yet. You are correct about the grit on the stones. Ol BeBerlin had a start up list somewhere. It is imperative you do more research.. Check out the Wki section, I hope this helps.

Originally Posted by MODINE

I am not being an ass,.

Hey, that's my job!

Anyways, a good strop with decent leather as well as linen/canvas and a barbers hone is all you need. Learn how to use them, plenty of vids around here demonstrating each, help yourself and remember; practice, practice, practice!

Originally Posted by RazorBack

1.: with a strap, you'll also need paste or sprays. This is for (periodical) maintenance??
2.: When a sharpeningstone is mentioned, does the (for instance) "12k" stands for "12000 grit"??

1. For day to day use you need a standard strop. These usually have a cloth element and a leather element. No pastes, sprays or other additives needed. The abrasives are only applied to a dedicated surface like a felt hanging strop, a paddle strop or even the back of your main strop. The comments about these items apply only to your question about keeping your edge sharp over time, not to every day use. Glen posted an interesting thread here about keeping your edge usable with a pasted strop. Perhaps a bit more than you want to know right now, but it illustrates an important point.

2. Yes. 4k, 8k, 12 k refer to 4000, 8000 and 12000 grit, respectively.

What you need right now is a plain leather hanging strop or paddle strop. This should be used just before each and every shave. Use it by stropping for 30-60 roundtrip laps.

The info you have received regarding abrasives is correct but is usually used only when your razors edge starts to pull.


Hope this helps,

Originally Posted by MODINE

Like most guy's you are not reading the instructions.

Yes Sir, i do. But unfortunately my knowledge of PROPER English isn't too good....... i'm working on THAT as well.

Regards,

RazorBack

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Hey, that's my job!

No Sir, unfortunately I'M the one that always seems to fulfill THAT part
Already (unwillingly) stepped on someones toes.....
But i'm working on that as well to fix it.....

Regards,

RazorBack