Thread: Don't really want to hone a razor, just maintain an edge so can I...

As far as naturals I would agree with Doorsch. BUT Based on what your intentions are re. using a SR sparingly, I would pick up a relatively inexpensive Barber Hone. There are many ( a Swaty for instance ) that will accomplish what you want to accomplish, and if you find one in good condition it will last a lifetime.

A good Barber Hone along with a good linen and leather strop ...and learning how to use them properly...would be all you would need. Millions of folks over many many years have done just that.

Any stone that can finish a razor can also maintain one indefinitely. In the last three or four years, I have never taken a stone back past the finisher, anything less fine is used only for the first set up of the razor (I don't use abrasive strops).

What other hones do you have? I only ask in case you may have something that might be easier than the Zulu for maintenance.

Like DaveW, I never end up needed to go below the finisher for maintenance.

Thx. all for the comments.

Yes, the razors I have are all professionally honed.

I have these stones: Norton 220/1k, Norton 4k/8k, Chinese 12k, Coticule and soon the Zulu Grey. I also have 4-5 flavors of SiC powder too! Since the straights I keep will see very limited use and should last a long time with just touch ups, I do not want to hone so I don't need all these stones.

@DaveW - My thoughts of touch ups/maintaining are what you are saying. Just looking for one stone and a strop!

Thx. all.

Depending on the individual hones, either the Chinese hone, or the coticule, or the Zulu can serve as your maintenance hone. I suggest that you try touching up a few of your razors successively on each hone and compare how the shaves off of each one feel for you. The shaves will tell you which hone, or perhaps hones, you will keep.