Thread: Did our grandfathers shave with blunt razors?

I bought a pair of Arks, a 12” Washita and hard Surgical Black from AG Russell in 1975, at a Gun Show. I still have those stones and they have honed many knives and razors since then.

Likely you have a Washita (the Brown one) and a fine Black Ark. Washita’s are hard to fine now and claim premium price.

I learned to hone on Arks 46 years ago and though I hone on synthetics, I finish on naturals, Jnats and Arks.

“Are there much better stones available for sharpening?” No, not really. Jnats can give an equally smooth and keen edge, but Arks are hard to beat.

@STF

I’m glad that barber hone has worked out for you. Some folks are able to maintain a shaving edge for a long time using nothing more than good stropping technique, a barber hone and a pasted strop.

It is easy to fall down the honing rabbit hole and HAD can be a serious and expensive (but fun) condition. I’m pretty sure I went through a stage in which I honed my razors excessively, just because I wanted to try out a new stone or a novel honing technique and because it was a very relaxing, meditative activity.

Now I’m more pragmatic and hone a razor only when I think it needs it. Unless I have a new stone or learn a new technique

Thinking about frequent discussion of how much individual face/beard characteristics vary, and how that super sharp razor that's great for someone with a coarse beard and tough skin may be hell on someone else's face... many people would have be shaved by barber. Did some barbers maintain razors with different profiles for different clients? Probably not, right?