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

I have only been using a straight off/on for a month or two but just recently I went back to using a DE (Wolfman) and now I am not sure I want to stay with straights at all. The worst part is that I have some stones, SiC powders, etc. to use for honing. Now that I realize that my DE shaves are great and better than the straights, I do plan on keeping one or two straights and maybe just use them once in awhile but not full time so I am only looking to keep one stone like the Zulu Grey (once I receive it) to do touchups and maintenance along with a strop. Everything else will be sold off as I don't plan on doing any rehoning as they will not see much use.

My question is can I use the Zulu Grey for this touching up/maintaining a straight until it gets to a point of needing a rehone?

Thx.

I personally prefer thuringian Stones for touch ups....

But for sure there is a bunch of hones around which can be used for this....

Maintaining is honing,,,,,,,,,,

Straight Razor Place - Beginners Tips: November 2014

Originally Posted by SirMike

I have only been using a straight off/on for a month or two but just recently I went back to using a DE (Wolfman) and now I am not sure I want to stay with straights at all. The worst part is that I have some stones, SiC powders, etc. to use for honing. Now that I realize that my DE shaves are great and better than the straights, I do plan on keeping one or two straights and maybe just use them once in awhile but not full time so I am only looking to keep one stone like the Zulu Grey (once I receive it) to do touchups and maintenance along with a strop. Everything else will be sold off as I don't plan on doing any rehoning as they will not see much use.

My question is can I use the Zulu Grey for this touching up/maintaining a straight until it gets to a point of needing a rehone?

Thx.

First and Foremost/Yes the Zulu can be used for maintenance.

However I do believe that you are comparing Apples to Oranges by comparing the DE to the Straight. The DE is Much Easier to learn to use, the angles and technique of using the Straight are much more complicated.

Also, was your Straight Razor(s) actually honed, or did it(they) come with a Factory Edge? This makes a Huge Difference.

Please let us know.

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.