Thread: Edge life before more than stropping is needed?

How long should a quality pro-honed razor's (Thiers-Issard "Le Grelot") edge last with only stropping before more measures (i.e. pasted strop/high grit stone) are usually necessary? Consider novice user with almost daily use and avg. beard.

I have been advised that the razor likely won't need to be re-honed until about 2 months of use. I have been at it for just under (2) weeks so I think I'm alright with just stropping for now. However, I want to have the appropriate gear on hand to keep shaving lest I have to return to that loathsome Gillette.

I know that there are differences in opinions, but for the novice is it generally recommended to get a 4k/8k Norton combo stone or a Chinese 12k to freshen up the razor? I have no present intention of fixing up antiques or ebaying and for the time being intend to leave the real honing to the pros if required.

So far so good Gentlemen, I haven't lost an ear or too much blood and truly enjoy the process and result. My grandfather and great-grandfather were old time barbers with a shop in Queens, NY...too bad I never got the opportunity to learn the techniques from them. Thanks for your wisdom.

I wouldn't recommend a full set of hones unless you are just into it.

I would think you could last a long time with razor, strop, and perhaps a pasted strop, or small swaty style touch-up stone.

I think that is how they used to do it in the "olden days".

I have built up a full set of hones just because I find it interesting, and like the "do it your self" part of straight shaving. I've been considering breaking out the Dremel and attempting a minor restore of a local antique shop straight if I find one.

I can see my interests progressing rapidly towards becoming self-sufficient in razor maintenance but for now I'm more concerned with trying to make sure I'm shaving with a good edge so that I can determine whether or not my technique is improving.

But as a wannabe wood worker and home improvement enthusiast I certainly do not need too much of an incentive to get more into the "do it yourself" aspect of straight razors. Thanks for the input.

If your just concerned with the short term needs and you catch the razor before it really starts to dull the easiest is probably a pasted strop. probably some CrO would serve well. Eventually you'll need the hone but that could be way over a year away.

10 laps on some Cox, 30 laps on strop and you should be good..hopefully, unless you really screwed up on your stropping.... I found SRD's strop paddle ... "forgiving". With that said, I have a 5/8/12 set from SRD to touch up.....

I shaved with a Dovo Bismarck nearly every day for nearly three months before it started to lose it's edge. About every week and a half, I did ten laps on the pasted strop and it brought it right back. I have a feeling that you'll be equipped to hone it yourself after that time based on your original post. Soooo...for right now, focus on shaving and begin to dig in a learn as much as you can about hones. In a couple months, you'll have an idea of what you want in the way of honing gear and then pick up a couple beater razors and begin practicing so that by the third month, you'll be confident enough to give your expensive razor a whirl.

Originally Posted by DPMaltese

I can see my interests progressing rapidly towards becoming self-sufficient in razor maintenance but for now I'm more concerned with trying to make sure I'm shaving with a good edge so that I can determine whether or not my technique is improving.

But as a wannabe wood worker and home improvement enthusiast I certainly do not need too much of an incentive to get more into the "do it yourself" aspect of straight razors. Thanks for the input.

Be careful give it some time. I went hog wild with honing gear and found out I don't need half the stuff I purchased. I would recommend the SRP modular strop with felt pads using 1 micron and .5 micron diamond paste or CrxO. Go slow.

Originally Posted by ShoreBird

Be careful give it some time. I went hog wild with honing gear and found out I don't need half the stuff I purchased. I would recommend the SRP modular strop with felt pads using 1 micron and .5 micron diamond paste or CrxO. Go slow.

Funny, I was strongly considering the SRP modular strop. I have read good things about it. I will probably end up buying it soon. For my initial foray into refreshing the edge. I wanted to stay on the inexpensive side even though I understand the modular strop to be a good value. I fully intend to go as slow as possible and to take my time. Thanks for the advice.

Hello Fellow Long Islander,

I have been at SR shaving for a little under a year and bought some hones to maintain my edge. What I found out is that I have a hard time honing, so I leave that to the professionals. What I now do is refreshing the edge once a month on a paddle/balsa strop with chromium oxide. I made the paddle exactly as specified under the wiki tab and clicking "maintaining SR". Look under "making a pasted balsa strop". You will see how to make a home-made strop for only a few dollars. It works great. I wish I knew the person who published it because it does the job very well. Just buy some chromium oxide and you will be able to always have a sharp razor. If ever you need honing, maybe once a year, you can send it out to a professional. This will save you time and money. Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by DPMaltese

How long should a quality pro-honed razor's edge last with only stropping before more measures (i.e. pasted strop/high grit stone) are usually necessary? Consider novice user with almost daily use and avg. beard.

I have been advised that the razor likely won't need to be re-honed until about 2 months of use.

I have to admit it, I feel sorry for newbs asking this question. The reason? The conflicting answers they receive.

One of the main problems is the fact that some do not consider the use of pastes as "honing" or touching up. Therefore when asked how long between maintenance the answer is months or even years. This can be true for the pros who have been doing this for decades (thinking of the "stropping is king" thread), but is completely unrealistic for new guys. They feel like failures if their edges do not last as long as the guys on SRP told them they would in the Beginners Section. I feel that it would be more responsible for senior members to advise them that edge longevity comes with advanced skill; a comfortable shave from a optimally sharp is definitely preferrable.

BTW - for the OP, DPMaltese:
It wouldn't be out of the ordinary for a daily shaver in the hands of a novice to be in need of some form of touchup (paste, barber hone etc) anywhere between 5 and 15 shaves.