Thread: How often do you hit the stones?

I am still new to honing and was just curious how often everyone hits the stones, be it combos, cuticles or barbers... I seem to be having to go back and touch up almost bi-weekly on the norton 4k/8k. (I had only one razor until a few days ago). I have a barbers hone in the mail that I'll resort to soon, but the middle of my blade always gets dull quickly. I know it's because of my chin. The whiskers are relentless there even with turbo-prep! I do use all parts of the edge but mainly the center while shaving the tough areas. Anyway, what about you all? Anyone have the same issue?

Just an observation from an old cook.

The tip of a knife is sharper than the middle and is used for fine cuts.

The middle dulls quicker cause it does all the cutting.

The heel get practically no use except for cracking things and is therefor the dullest part of the blade.

Point is this. For fine tasks that need a sharper edge, use the tip or first 1/4 to 1/3 of the blade.

What do you mean by turbo-prep?

As soon as my razors start to pull a little they get a few swipes across the stone.

X

Originally Posted by Chimensch

What do you mean by turbo-prep?

By turbo-prep I mean really good prep. "Shower, hot water splashes, good hot lather".

I started with a Dovo carbon, and I think you may need a finer hone. The chinese 12K is the best finishing hone on the market for the money in my humble opinion. Although I don't like Dovo that much, I was able to shave two months with before and after stropping without needing to hone. And Dovo makes a great product and I have not read about any quality issues from them on this site. I ordered it from Classic Shaving pre-honed and whoever did it did a great job. I have since sold that razor to a friend who wanted to start shaving with a straight. I honed it before he got it, but in truth it was still sharp. Just a thought, when I started using a rotation of three razors I find that honing is not needed but about once per year (4months/razor). I know its expensive, but you don't have to buy a new Dovo, but giving blades time to rest I found makes everything smoother.

I voted once per year, but in truth, the selections in this poll were too limited. The correct answer for me would have been "only as needed". I have six razors in my rotation, and I typically only have on Monday-Friday mornings and Saturday night. Thus, each razor only gets used once a week. The edge on a well honed and properly stropped razor should last 30-50 shaves so once a year is the closest of the choices available to me. But I don't go by time, I go by my assessment of the performance of the edge.

I have only 2 shave ready razor's at this time, am working on 3 others to help out the cause. hoping str8's will last longer if not honed to much.

I can't help but screw around with my hones. To me, it's worse than RAD.

Originally Posted by xman

As soon as my razors start to pull a little they get a few swipes across the stone.

X

I with X, when they need it. There's no set time or anything like that. It depends on the steel, use, etc...When it's pulling or dragging on my face, It's time to hit the stones. And as always, Less is More. Each time you take your razor to the rock or Diamond paste for that matter your leaving metal behind.....