Good maintenance on a single hone.

Hi Guys,

So I have been shaving pretty regularly with my Dovo singing blade. I've manager to keep a pretty comfortable shave for about 3 1/2 months with just an old belt for a strap until it finally started to tug. I was fortunate to receive a brand new Norton 8000 from a friend.

My question is- Can I maintain my razor with just an 8000 and a strap? (I am purchasing a real strap).
I know that eventually I will be chasing finer finishing stones/pastes but for now can I get a good shave with just the two? My fear is that the 8000 will be too fine and not properly sharpen the edge.
If the answer is no, what can buy to get a nice edge on this extra hollow blade?

On a side note, any tips on flattening the 8000 before I use it? I am thinking along the lines of wet sandpaper or something I can purchase near by and not have to wait for it in the mail. I guy gotta get a good shave in before the new year.

Thanks in advance and a Happy Holiday for everyone!

In theory you should be able to maintain your edge with the 8K. There are several variables though, one of the things is many people have had mentors show them the ropes. If you look for someone in your area it would be better, just meeting with someone and getting pointed in the right direction is priceless I hear. When I look at the cost of hones and the cost of honing I can't help but think, If you live near someone that can hone for you it's a viable option. I am well aware that it is not always possible.

That sounds Like a great idea. Where can I go to find if there's anyone in my area?

I say, if you where able to maintain the razor for 3 1/2 month with the belts as a strap, then it works. How well? Only by buying a proper strop with a nice backing that you be able to tell.

The 8000k norton should, in theory, work fine to maintain your razor. I say in theory, because if the edge is to far gone, or you mess up the edge trying it on your own (highly probable), then you going to need a courser stone (4000 or even a 1000k).

Best thing would be to get together with someone that hone his own razor and have him show you the ropes, if unable, I recommend you to watch all the videos on honing here, also read as much as you can on the topic then try it on your own. However, be willing to have it sent out for honing if you fail to get a comfortable shave in the first few tries (don't ruin your good razor trying to hard).

Good luck! Double O

Rezdog gives you gold. Those one on one sessions can't be beat. Also, the regional meet-ups.

Can it work w/ those tools? Heck yes.

Most of the issue is getting through the initial learning curve to get the feel in your hands & fingers as to what 'normal' should feel like. Do you want to do that on two nice new razors?

Ideally, a low-cost but sound razor would be a better learning platform so all your mistakes are made on that - rather than on more costly blades. Emphasis on the 'sound' part of the learning blade. A fleabay or antique store blades does not qualify.

Part of the answer is that to maintain an edge means not letting it go too far before maintenance. At some point, the edge needs something more coarse than an 8k. Let it go too far and the 8k won't be that helpful. If maintained at the first signs of the edge going south - the 8k will bring it back to satisfying levels.

There's some additional benefits to becoming proficient with honing or touch-up w/ the 8k. No matter how many or what types of rocks you buy - unless you can get a comfortable shave from an 8k, there's no point having a higher grit rock. I thank Jimmyhad, who credited the honorable Randydance with this observation. Like most guys struggling to learn the stones, I found this to be very true.

Should you need a hand w/ touch-up, a number of guys would likely volunteer to help, including myself for just the cost of return shipping.

Local Help - Straight Razor Place Wiki
you can also check the classifieds member services page for people in your area that hone.

Thanks for all of the help guys. I guess I will try to just use the 8k for now and see how it goes. Any tips on flattening the stone in the cheap? Maybe something from homedepot? I really don't want to wait for a flattening stone.

Pretty much any very flat hard surface and wet dry sandpaper will work just fine

Wet dry sand paper on a piece of flat granite (tile or slab) or glass. I would start on 200 at the courser end, and finish on 800 grit wet dry paper, rinse and give it a go!

Yes, it can be done even with the old belt and an 8K stone… by and experienced honer and stropper.

Can a novice do it? Yes… Maybe...

As said, your odds of success improve with a proper strop and more so with hands on instruction with the stone. But it can and has been done with what you have with patience and instruction. Watch videos, ask questions, seek one on one instruction.

Before you put your razor on a hone, purchase some inexpensive magnification and inspect the edge for damage, there are many threads and video on this.

Lacking major damage, purchase some razor quality Chromium Oxide and paste your belt or another and first try to revive the edge with Chrome Ox. If the edge is not too far gone it can be revived and maintained indefinitely with a Chrome Oxide strop.

You can lap your 8K with 220 grit Wet & Dry or drywall screen on a hard flat surface, then 400 wet and dry paper and lots of water, do not forget to bevel or round the edges. Wash the stone well in soapy water to remove any grit.

The problem as you will find, is learning to strop and hone. Chances are you will have to send it out for honing before you learn to strop and touch up hone.

Try the Chrome Oxide on leather, a cotton, nylon belt/ piece of webbing or a 3X12 inch of cardboard, inside of a cereal box.

You seem to have done ok maintaining an edge for 3.5 months on a belt so keep it up. Makes sure to keep the spine on the strop surface as you hone, even pressure is more important than speed.

With an 8K edge, Chrome Oxide and plain leather strop, an edge can be maintained for a long time… indefinitely in the proper hands.