Thread: Newbie question

I'm brand new to straight blades and I keep hearing about "refreshing" the edge. Is that the same as having it honed or is it something I do myself? I have a strop (linen-no paste and leather) I'm only 2 shaves in but I want to understand so I'm always taking proper care of my blade
thanks all
chuck

Welcome. You can "refresh" with pastes, spray, or barbers hone. Refreshing only needs to be done if you can no longer get a smooth shave after stropping. How long that takes depends on the edge, technique, etc.

Refreshing is a very light honing done to bring back an edge that began to no longer shave as well as desired. Refreshing an edge is a relatively easy honing task that can be accomplished with a single hone. I remember a phrase commonly used when I began here--"it is easier to keep a razor sharp than it is to sharpen a razor."

That makes sense. Thanks fellas. So if I were to purchase a hone for refreshing what hone would I need, is it called a finishing hone? Or is it better to get a balsa strop and use paste?

So, you got 1 shave from a freshly honed razor?

Did you strop it before shaving?

Did you purchase your razor from a Straight Razor dealer, not a cutlery shop, in other words, are you sure it was properly honed?

Before you do anything, look at the edge with magnification, to see if the edge is still shave ready, does not sound like it. But you won’t know until you look at it. It could be as said, your technique.

If it need a touch up, it may be something you could do, if you had the proper hone and instruction.

Find a local mentor that can help your hands on, before you do any honing or further stropping on the razor.

Here is a video, of looking at the edge to ensure the bevel is fully set.

Yes I stroped before shaving
I bought it from a reputable shave shop, it's a Portland razor co siren 1/4 hollow and they honed it in front of me. There is no problem with the razor, I'm just trying to understand for future planning and understanding so I can properly take care if f this bad ass piece of steel. It's working great for me so far. I just want to know how to refresh and how often( which utopian and chug arch answered) still just curio use to know what exactly to use to refresh. Unfortunately I live in a smaller town so no mentors that I know of.

As long as your straight razor don't pull your facial hair when shaving, you do not need to refresh it. Meanwhile you can star looking for a Swaty hone. They are not expensive and they are very ease to use: two or three passes on each side of the blade and it'll be ready for months again.

Have you even searched for a local member, need to take the initiative. If you strop properly and learn how to shave, your razor will stay sharp for a long time. A pasted strop is cheap, just make sure you buy razor quality paste, then if you don't make any mistakes your set. Also a hone job is only as far away as your mailbox. Tc

Fair enough, how do I search for a local member?

Get a good barbers hone. A few strokes when the razor starts pulling and you'll be good to go again.