Thread: Once honed, how ~long before blade needs to be honed again?

Just curious on how long the shaving-sharpness life of a blade is once you've had one honed to shave-ready condition?

Tom

That really depends on how often you use it, how well it was honed to begin with, your particular beard. The quality of the steel and heat treatment enter into the equation as well. It is good, IMO, to have a rotation of razors. I have quite a large rotation but two or three is probably adequate for prolonging your edges shaving quality. A lot of guys use a barber hone to touch up their edges when they are falling off a bit. A paddle or flatbed strop with chrom ox or diamond spray is good too.

Thank you JimmyHAD for answering my n00bian question. So basically, once the blade has been put back into service and honed, you judge it by the shave you get and redo accordingly. Is that a fair statement?

My perspective on this is that I am looking to restore some of the blades I've picked up and what to do after they are in use for awhile. I wasn't clear on the process and wondered if I had to send them out each time they dulled or, if I could deal with it.

Originally Posted by novice

Thank you JimmyHAD for answering my n00bian question. So basically, once the blade has been put back into service and honed, you judge it by the shave you get and redo accordingly. Is that a fair statement?

My perspective on this is that I am looking to restore some of the blades I've picked up and what to do after they are in use for awhile. I wasn't clear on the process and wondered if I had to send them out each time they dulled or, if I could deal with it.

Yeah, that is a fair statement. If it is shaving well it is fine. When it begins to fall off it needs a touch up or maybe , if it is too far gone, rehoning. Whether you can take care of it , or need to send it out, depends on your level of expertise. Keep practicing on the blades you've picked up but wait until you feel confident to work on your daily drivers.

Good, I am happy I am understanding this correctly. I appreciate your follow-up.

Tom