Thread: @cudarunner honing.

Originally Posted by MajorEthanolic

I've been getting really good results with a Friodur I've been using for a few months now by doing 6 or so on the canvas, followed by 50 on the (roo) leather. Based on @razorfeld's stropping mentorship, that razor is going on 3 months with only one CrOX wakeup.

Thanks that will help a lot I have not giving them enough time on the strop. Once mine get back from cuda I will practice more.

Originally Posted by KingHooper

Thanks that will help a lot I have not giving them enough time on the strop. Once mine get back from cuda I will practice more.

Ha... I'm waiting on another razor from Cuda today! Took me about a month of conversations with cuda and razorfeld to really figure out what I was doing wrong. I'm still having some issues with getting good stropping on my smaller/lighter blades, but thank God I'm at least to where I can get 2-3 months on my larger blades between honing.

Major, I'm bothered by that one line - - at least 2 - 3 months on my larger blades between honing. We need to review your stropping. You should be able to go many, many, more months before even thinking of re-freshening a razor's edge. I have several that have been shaved 10 months and still won't see a stone for a few more months. I may not be the best stropper around, but I can get eight months before I think of re-freshening an edge.

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

Major, I'm bothered by that one line - - at least 2 - 3 months on my larger blades between honing. We need to review your stropping. You should be able to go many, many, more months before even thinking of re-freshening a razor's edge. I have several that have been shaved 10 months and still won't see a stone for a few more months. I may not be the best stropper around, but I can get eight months before I think of re-freshening an edge.

I don't know for sure how long I can go yet - I'm approaching 3 months on the Friodur and it's still going strong. I'm hoping I can get much longer! Hell of an improvement however from when we first started talking and I was thinking I need honing after 2 weeks!

Then there's hope. But the thought occurred to me as I finished my shower this morning, what is your beard prep like before razor touches face? You said you have a heavy?, wiry? beard? Tell what you do to prep and I bet there is something that can be added or changed to give a little more longevity to the razor's edge.

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

Then there's hope. But the thought occurred to me as I finished my shower this morning, what is your beard prep like before razor touches face? You said you have a heavy?, wiry? beard? Tell what you do to prep and I bet there is something that can be added or changed to give a little more longevity to the razor's edge.

Right now I do shampoo plus conditioner on my face before shaving. I strop and get my brush soaking before showering so that I can shave directly out of the shower. I do kind of a 50/50 scuttle and face lathering - get the cream warm, add some glycerin, and then after applying the lather I add a bit more hot water to the brush to make sure it's as warm as possible. I don't really have a "wiry" beard because I shave every 24 hours, so it never gets beyond more than stubble.

Conditioner good. Don't rinse it off, leave it on your face. Try, before lathering, rubbing a small amount of Cremo or Kiss My Face into your beard for a little extra pre-conditioning and softening of your beard. And then there is the area I always, and am getting known for, harp on. What is the right temperature of your lather/shave that benefits your face the most. I am no longer harping on a pure cold water shave, but one where the temp gives the most for your dollar. Requires cooling your water by 10 - 15 degrees, seeing the result and then, if necessary, lower it another 10 - 15 degrees till you find your sweet spot. My brain is working on why the edge isn't lasting as long as I (and others, I'm sure) think it should before touch-up or full honing.