Thread: should you wait until the next shave before honing some more

I would think that the shave test is the ultimate test and everyone says less is more so what are everyones thoughts about shaving and then going back to honing some more. If so, then how would you judge whether to try a few strokes on 12k or 1 stroke on 4k, 4-6 on 8k and then 4-6 on 12k, fabric and then leather.

So one of the techniques commonly employed here is to start with a pro sharpened blade. Save it for occasional shaves and make it your benchmark. Grade your edges by that one. Not even close and barely shaving goes back to the 1K. Not even close but shaving goes to the 4K. I think you see the pattern. The important part is the benchmark, without it you don't real have an end game.

Following with RezDog's advice, I've got a pro-honed blade that I use only rarely: it's left out of my usual rotation, though I use it occasionally for sheer pleasure.

My "rotation" razors get linen & leather before each shave (and a few laps after for cleaning). When a razor starts to pull noticeably, I give it a few laps on a pasted balsa strop. At some point, the shave test tells me that's no longer enough; then it gets laps on my finishing stone plus the pasted balsa strop. At some point later, the shave test tells me that's not enough, and I do a conservative pyramid on the 4k/8k, shave-testing that 8k edge to satisfaction before continuing on to my finishing stone (shave-test again) and balsa strop (shave test).

For me, that's when I break out the pro-honed blade for comparison. My own efforts still fall short of that razor's shave, but it's my benchmark.

Originally Posted by gfro

I would think that the shave test is the ultimate test and everyone says less is more so what are everyones thoughts about shaving and then going back to honing some more. If so, then how would you judge whether to try a few strokes on 12k or 1 stroke on 4k, 4-6 on 8k and then 4-6 on 12k, fabric and then leather.

It's perfectly fine to hit the stones after a shave test shows you that it's not quite dialed in. However, you shouldn't need to do a ton of work to an edge once you think it is shave ready, so this visit back to the hones would probably not go past about a 4k. All of the other gauges like TPT, TNT, shaving body hair, etc. will let you know if an edge is in the ballpark of shave readiness.

I don't know about all the details I just keep it simple. When an edge pops arm hair near the tops it's ready. I can fuss and muss more but it's diminishing returns from this point. Strop it on linen then leather and ahhh the benefits of honing your own razors.....PRICELESS!