Do I just need to touch up

[tree1]

I've noticed a real reduction in the sharpness of my razor after about 2 months of use. I want to touch the edge up.

1) Should I send it off to be sharpened?

or

2) Will I be able to bring the edge back with a forgiving hone?

If I buy a hone to touch it up which should I pick, a Chinese 12k or a BBW?
If I buy either of the above they will be from here:
Razor Hones

----------------------------

If I buy a slow cutting hone, and keep on top of the edge will the razor still eventually dull down to a point where I will need a more aggressive hone to bring it to the peak of performance?

[PhatMan]

tree1,

As a first off, I would try and touch the razor up with a CrOx pasted strop.

As this uses a stropping action, you will be comfortable with this.

If you haven't already got the gear, you can get suitable materials from Mr Neil Miller at www.strop-shop.co.uk.


If you are unsure about doing this, and the razor is your only razor, I would be tempted, on this occasion, to send it out to be re-finished. It all depends how degraded the edge has become.

We have some very fine honers in the UK (Misters Miller, Dempster & Haywood).

Are you experienced in honing ?

A stone in the 12k range would be good to touch up with (I use a Naniwa 12k).

I haven't used the Chinese 12k, so cannot offer any useful observations on it, save that opinion indicates that it is a 'slow' cutter.

Both the Chinese 12k & the Naniwa 12k can be had from Mr Dempster at the link you mentioned.

WRT edge maintenance in the long term using the 12ks, I touch up weekly with CrOx, and monthly on the Naniwa 12k; so far this has kept my razors in fine order, and I have not had to drop down to a coarser stone yet.

Other more experienced honers will chip in with sage advice

Good luck !

Have fun !

regards

Russ

[eleblu05]

the 12k stone is great touch up stone bbw is to low of a grit to use as a touch up stone

[MODINE]

+1 on what PhatMan said, maintain with CrOx treated strop, paddle etc first. You have resources available in the U.K. that can provide all you require. Regular maintenace with a pasted strop will increase the edge longevity between honings. You can learn to hone your own razors too. Hope this helps.
MIke

[tree1]

Ok, just to clarify:

I should buy a new strop, treat it with Chrome Oxide Powder, and use that once a week to touch the edge up? Then once a month or so use a 12k grit stone.



I've been puzzling over this for ages. Should have just seen you guys. Thanks!

[tree1]

Sorry guys, I'm stuck again, a need a little more advice.

I've been looking for a new strop and since I'm still in the high risk category for slicing and nicking my strop I want cheap quality. Also I'm in the UK and my best options are from The Invisible Edge.

This is what I plan to buy:Dovo razor strops

DOVO 15240001 Hanging strop

This is what I have at the moment anyway, they are one sided cowhide. Am I right in thinking this is fine for use with the CrOx?

[nun2sharp]

What you need is a good barbers hone, it is the right tool for this particular job.

[Scipio]

Sorry guys, I'm stuck again, a need a little more advice.

I've been looking for a new strop and since I'm still in the high risk category for slicing and nicking my strop I want cheap quality. Also I'm in the UK and my best options are from The Invisible Edge.

This is what I plan to buy:Dovo razor strops

DOVO 15240001 Hanging strop

This is what I have at the moment anyway, they are one sided cowhide. Am I right in thinking this is fine for use with the CrOx?

I wouldnt recommend any of the Dovo strops. Ive used them before and think they are poor quality compared to Neil Miller's at strop-shop.co.uk.

He sells far better strops for similar prices.

[Deerhunter1995]

Get yourself a good barber hone and do 3-5 passes on that with lather on the hone and you will be back in bussiness, This is what the barber hone was made for.

[PhatMan]

tree1,

I have a spare Neil Miller double sided paddle strop you are quite welcome to have.

I can coat one side with CrOx powder for you.

If you PM me with your address, I will get it sent off

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ