Thread: Keen Kutter and an unknown

Hello All!

I just got my razor back from Maximilian - and the edge is freakin perfect!! I had forgotten about how smooth a shave can be with a fine edge. Sooooo, I'd like to do more in the way of touch ups. I have a Premium II from SRD with the default canvas 2nd strop. I also have a filly from DonRupp that has a "splat" of green on the back - I assume it's a splat of CrOx. They do a good job considering that I'm still learning. I want to learn to do a few touch-ups without screwing up my razor. I just picked up a Keen Kutter #15 from eBay - it appears to be in good shape. No dents, or cuts but there is some kind of patina on it. I also have an unknown hone that I got from one of my dads friends a long time ago - it's a big cylinder about 1.3" tall and a diameter of about 3.5". It's heavy and I've used it to keep an edge on my pocket knives. I'm including pics below.

1) Does the Keen need to be lapped? Hell, should I even use it on my razor? I cheated and rubbed one of the sides of the Keen on the round side of unknown - just to see if it would shine up. It did! I wouldn't call it a mirror finish, but I only rubbed about 6 times. Can I lap the Keen on this bad boy? Should I just get some fine grit sand paper, or nothing at all?

2) The green splat is on the rough side of the filly. Should I go ahead and order more and apply it to the smooth side?

I've read through the wiki and a lot of the forum posts regarding the usefull/less-ness of a barbers hone. I will eventually purchase something more substantial - either a coticule or a naniwa 12k. I really don't want to mess my razor up


Here's the Keen on top of the unknown. I tried to get a reflection of the sunlight in the picture so the patina could be seen


Here's the whole group.


And just for fun here's a pic of my blade

The Keen Kutter barber hone looks to be in great shape. I wouldnt lap it. Just use it for touch ups on your shave ready razor. Maybe 5 very light laps when it begins to feel like its loosing its keenness or starting to pull a little, and then see how it feels.
Cant tell you anything about the round one though.

P.S. Nice razor too BTW