How best to start honing with shave ready razors?

[MajorEthanolic]

At some point I'm going to have to start honing... the question I've been struggling with is how best to start. If you have a truly shave ready razor, is it best to start with something like a 12000 to just provide a minor touch up, or do I need to do the 1k, 5k, 8k, 10/12k total package?

[Substance]

Personally for a pure touch up, a 12k or pasted strop should do for a fair while,
For a bit more tugging blade I would drop down to a 8k maybe
Any lower and your talking a rehone not a touch up
1-4k is for full bevel re-set on restored or blunt razors

[MajorEthanolic]

@Substance... this is kind of my question. I'm already using CrOX occasionally, and am wondering how often you need to reset the bevel on a shave ready razor. Would something like a 12k touch up in addition to CrOX get me through for a year?

[HNSB]

If it's shave ready and maintained properly, you should never have to reset the bevel.

While you're learning, there is a chance you'll do enough damage to the edge to require bevel work.

If you're looking at purchasing stones and money is tight, you can definitely start with just a finishing stone.

[MajorEthanolic]

@HNSB - this is what I'm thinking as well. I dinged a razor on the sink and had to send it to Lynn for honing, but I'm now thinking that just something like a 12k might be a good starting point for touch ups, say, every 6 months or so. Seems like that plus CrOX would keep me going for quite a while - and it's a lot cheaper.

[Substance]

I think you are heading in the right path there,
My nephew (30) shaves once a week sometimes twice he has used 1 srt8 exclusively since December, 8 months nearly with nothing but steady stropping on linen & leather,
I made a chrox & ferox balsa paddle strop for him but he hasn't needed it yet as it still shaves like new.

[MajorEthanolic]

@substance ... the only catch for me is that I'm active duty military, so I shave every 24 hours, 7 days/week.

[BobH]

If you want to be on the safe side add a 3K/8K Nani combo stone to the 12K and Crox and you should be good to go. That should cover everything from small dings/chips and bevel reset on up. That is assuming your honing skills will allow you to handle chips and bevel resets.

Bob

[tcrideshd]

major you could just get a 4/8 k Norton , lap that and your ready, as long as you know you are experienced enough to know that your razor is shave ready an 8k will give you a great shave ,, with some CRoX after and then leather tc

[MajorEthanolic]

@BobH... considering I have NO honing skills, thus the question. Looking to dip my toes into the water before jumping in. Having bought 3 razors over the last 3 months, my wife is going to use one of the razors on me if I spend too much more.