Thread: Trying to clarify my understanding

So, if I had a pro honed razor that I kept well stropped and, as required, used a pasted surface or barber's hone, when might I ever want to go through the sharpening stage? Or would that only be required for ebay type jobs?

Originally Posted by phunni

So, if I had a pro honed razor that I kept well stropped and, as required, used a pasted surface or barber's hone, when might I ever want to go through the sharpening stage? Or would that only be required for ebay type jobs?

I've heard of guys maintaining razors for years with a barber hone, and maybe a pasted paddle, but I didn't go that route. I wanted to learn to hone and did. So I can't tell you from experience but I've heard it can be done.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I've heard of guys maintaining razors for years with a barber hone, and maybe a pasted paddle, but I didn't go that route. I wanted to learn to hone and did. So I can't tell you from experience but I've heard it can be done.

So at what point did you decide your razor(s) needed honing? And did you set a bevel? Or just sharpen etc?

Originally Posted by phunni

So at what point did you decide your razor(s) needed honing? And did you set a bevel? Or just sharpen etc?

If your razor has been honed to shave ready you won't need to set a bevel. When it is not shaving as well as it was, does not improve through stropping, it is time to take it to a hone or maybe a pasted strop,

Originally Posted by phunni

So, if I had a pro honed razor that I kept well stropped and, as required, used a pasted surface or barber's hone, when might I ever want to go through the sharpening stage? Or would that only be required for ebay type jobs?

If you have a pasted strop, ou may never need a stone.
A friend of mine uses a pasted paddle (granted, it is a 4 sided paddle with 3 types of paste) and he hasn't had his razor sharpened in years.