Hones and Magic Elfin Blades
Thanks for the reply.
That's really the info I was looking for.
So in other words it's how you look after your blade not how much you pay.
I am pretty sure my blade was not forged by the German elves of Solingen.
I have a small simple paddle strop, pasted on one side, I do a few passes on the pasted side and then twice as many on the leather side; the result is a fine shave.
I learned pretty quickly that blade care cannot be underestimated. My barber is from the old school of hair cutting and has given me a lot of tips - he even tells me not to wipe the blade, just clean in it hot water because they are so delicate.
Just as a point of shaving trivia, I always thought is was a myth that old school barbers learned to use straight razors by applying lather to balloons and shaving them - this happens to be true - my own barber loves to talk about the old days and happened to mention this training method one day.
Anyway - thanks again - I guess I will have to hone at some point but I will wait until my eyes are watering during my shave before I make an attempt at that.
Cheers.
Ubert