Thread: Is there honing guidelines

I have a Parker Shavette SR because it's easier and more economical for me right now. I'm dying to get a hold of my first straight razor but haven't due to the significant investment, I.E. knowledge and purchased maintenance equipment. I am happy to say based on information almost solely from this forum I would be confident to start honeing myself with the expected rookie errors to follow. I know honing relies on the metallic make up of the SR, the individuals beard growth and the shave technique. The person utilizing the straight razor needs to gain a personal feel for his/her equipment and when it needs to be honed. However the military in me does not like that explanation, I want a guideline, a rule of some sort; such as, dovo recommends stropping every 5-15 shaves depending on circumstance. I like that, it might be very broad and general but dovo just translated feel into simple military instruction for this ex MP. I would appreciate similar guidelines for honeing if anyone can offer them. Thank you.

You're probably not going to like this answer then...there are no strict guidelines that are going to give you the same results everytime with regards to honing.
It does vary on the razor steel, what stage of sharpness/dullness it's at, grind of blade etc.
And as far as Dovos recommendation on stropping goes, you should actually strop every shave as it cleans and aligns the blade.

Edit: I should also add that results will depend on the stones being used as well, as different stones even though approx. the same grit vary in cutting speed.

I think you'd be ok if you interpreted the Pyramid technique as a guideline. But I don't think you're gonna find a section on honing in A.R. 350-1. I did find this though.

Soldiers may have to spend time in independent study to fully realize the benefits of training and education
started in institutional and operational venues.

Keep the blade flat
Learn how to make a consistent stroke
Learn sharpness tests
Move up in grit
Reduce pressure as the blade gets sharper
Examine your work on the bevel as you move up
Move up and down in grit
Be patient, the higher grit the longer the timeframe
A razor that can chop down arm hair is pretty sharp
A pretty sharp razor needs smoothing
Use 10 strokes at a time, review the work in some fashion (test, bevel examination) the repeat
After 10 iterations of 10 strokes either you should see some improvement, or you should reevaluate your tactic
Repeat, repeat, and repeat
Work up in grit and strop often, sometimes you're finished but the razor doesn't have a loud enough voice to tell you and the only way to know is to finish, strop, and shave
When in doubt between two actions, choose the least destructive one first
Always use light pressure first, before you use heavy pressure, it works better
If light does nothing, then go with a little pressure
Don't put your fingers down on the blade. If you must apply pressure, do it evenly

Read this (especially the section on hones and honing):

Practice and science of standard barbering; a practical and complete course of training in basic barber services and related barber science. Prepared especially for use by barber schools, barber students, barber apprentices, practicing barbers in pre

Easy Peasy..

First off you strop before every shave 25 linen and 50 leather

Second every single Sunday you take out your trusty Quality barber hone and touch up the edge with 5-8 laps on the hone using Lather... Do this every week whether the razor needs it or not..


This is a "shavers" system, not the fanatic compulsive way of doing things.. If you simply want a good solid shave from a SR every day of the week this will do the trick..
It is simple and easy...


Barring any mishaps this will only work for 20+ years, at least in my experience...