Thread: Want to Maintain a New Razor

Hi folks,

I just placed an order for the following from SRD:

Dovo Imitation Tortoise Shell 6/8 Straight Razor
Strop Set Front Strop Variation: 2 Black Latigo Leather Back Strop Variati

I would like to buy necessary paddle, paste, diamond spray, etc. to maintain the edge. on an ongoing bases to avoid having to send the blade for professional honing. Could you folks point me in the right direction please?

Thanks,
Kopoly

The SRP classifieds have some great stuff. Check there for a Barber's hone, which you can use when your razor starts to pull. A couple of strokes on it, and you should be back in business.

Welcome to SRP!

You took a step in the right direction when you bought a razor from SRD, at least you know it's shave ready. A strop is used for daily maintenance, but for long term razor maintenance ( or what we call touch ups, for when your razor isn't performing as well as it should) there are several options available. There is the aforementioned pasted strop, applied to leather, balsa, felt - the list goes on. You could also buy a barbers hone, which usually gets your razor going again with 5 laps or more. You can also buy a high grit finishing hone, which depending on it's characteristics will either require few laps (synthetic) or many (natural). It's all part of the fun with this sport.

A good thing to do is make a hanging or paddle strop with some denim and then apply 0.5 micron diamond spray. Half a dozen swipes when the razor starts to pull will bring the edge back..!

The other thing you could apply is the CrOx spray (that would be my choice as I prefer CrOx to diamond) or make a balsa paddle strop and apply CrOx paste to that.

Any of these options can be made for a few pounds plus the cost of the paste.

You'll be well set up with a kit from SRD and you won't need to touch the edge up for a fair shaves, so don't fall into the trap of "I'll just try this paste out..." because it's easy to over cook the edge, especially if it doesn't need touching up..!

Good luck and keep us posted!

Thank you folks for your prompt and informative responses. A couple of other questions:

- Is there a difference between the barber hone and diamond spray/CrOx? Which one is preferable? Also, do barber hones have gradations in terms of roughness or they are all about the same roughness?
- What is the preferred surface to apply diamond spray or CrOx on for honing?

Please forgive my ignorance and excuse me if I am asking questions that you have already answered. Thanks again.

Barber hones are not all equal so until you know what brand to look for you should stay away from them. Your best bet is to call, again, SRD and ask them what they have available in abrasive pasted paddle strops. That will allow you to maintain your razors edge for a good amount of time. I prefer chrome oxide over diamond, it leaves a more comfortable feeling to the edge.

Hope this helps,

Thanks Randy for the tip. I have been reading up and looking at different vendor sites. I found a reasonably priced balsa wood bench hone on The Superior Shave web store. The balsa wood and some chrome oxide should do the trick for a while. If I am still as motivated in a few months, I might take the plunge and buy the 4K/8K Norton or a Naniwa.

I have noticed there are some cheap barber's hones for sale on eBay but there is no indication of the roughness or similar data. Are these stones any good?

Originally Posted by Kopoly

I have noticed there are some cheap barber's hones for sale on eBay but there is no indication of the roughness or similar data. Are these stones any good?

Thats the problem with Barber hones, there is not a specified grit rating for any of them. One that we have found to be good is the Swaty. But, be aware that they are nowhere near as fine as the chrome ox or diamond. The purpose of a barber hone is to use as a quick touch up when the razor starts to pull and the paddle strop is not available or no longer does the job.
Of the Swaty hones the best/most consistent are those with 3 lines of text imprinted in the hone.

Hope this helps,

Kopoly,

The Dovos Special ('Tortoise') & Best are very easy to maintain; the steel is just right, not too hard, not too soft

They respond excellently to CrOx pasted strops.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

That's a fine start for this venture of yours!
If you want a paddle strop, then look at the modular one from SRD.
That can be added to as necessary, they have several different options for making a strop for all your needs.
Be it your daily stropping, or your touch-ups once required.
I have that paddle, and have added different fabrics and leathers for stropping and various pastes and sprays.
It is good stuff!
Good luck!