Thread: Please help ! I have a honing question

Originally Posted by Splashone

I found a GREAT method of prolonging the edge on my Mach III. My last cartridge has lasted 7 months and counting. Of course, I haven't picked it up since switching to a Straight! No regrets and no more money down that rat hole.

Word. I have heard about palm stropping but, c'mon. You might as well ask Rembrandt's ghost for tips on how to get better results from your Etch-A-sketch. Save money? Grow a beard. What the? In less than 10-months I have become a straight razor codger.

Still, if you insist -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-4bhVpfxJM#t=128

before i switched over to straight razors, I used the skin stropping method on cartridge razors, and was able to get something like 6 to 8 months out of a cartridge. the shaves weren't smoothest, but it was enough to get by. what inspired me to do that was a thread started somewhere on reddit describing what mistermoo posted on stropping on jeans, then someone posted this video on stropping with their forearms:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhvDB-8v8k8

. reason why I switched to straight razors is I found it silly to try to extend the life of something that wasnt meant to be extended, whereas straight razors are meant to be reused many times.

I'll admit it. i'm a handstropper. Not exclusively, though. Mostly, between passes when shaving, if I remember.

Originally Posted by ecks

before i switched over to straight razors, I used the skin stropping method on cartridge razors, and was able to get something like 6 to 8 months out of a cartridge. the shaves weren't smoothest, but it was enough to get by. what inspired me to do that was a thread started somewhere on reddit describing what mistermoo posted on stropping on jeans, then someone posted this video on stropping with their forearms:

reason why I switched to straight razors is I found it silly to try to extend the life of something that wasnt meant to be extended, whereas straight razors are meant to be reused many times.

I did the same before switching to a dubble edge and half a year later to an actual straight razor, stropping your cardridge razor makes sense, I don't know about sharpening, I would think this would be futile but who knows...

my tip to the OP skip the dubble edge and go to straight razor right away

I strop single edge razor blades, exacto blades and utility/razor knife blades all the time, usually because they get dirty and the bevel rusty. I buy them in bulk but, often it is much easier and quicker to strop an edge than replace.

You can dramatically improve an edge with Chrome Ox and or Diamond paste and leather or craft foam and a fine diamond hone if rusted or chipped. I use Diamond Sticks like these that I get from a tool guy at a local swap meet for a couple of buck each. They are great for chip removal and heel correction also. Then strop on a small leather strop with chrome ox and .50 and .25 diamond paste.

For what you want to do, I would use 2mm craft foam glued to a wooden paint stir stick, chrome ox and diamond paste or spray. The paint stick would be about the right width, you could take a 5 gallon sick and cut it to the width you need. This is similar to Diamond Nail foam buffing blocks women use for polishing nails, craft foam glued to a block of ridged foam, you might try one of those they sell for a dollar to two.

I make polishing sticks with Coffee, Popsicle and tongue depressor sick (craft store) with craft foam and various diamond pastes for polishing. A coffee stir stick clipped straight, craft foam and diamond paste works great for cleaning a tang without unpinning a razor.

The only problem I see with a cartridge is you can only polish one side of the edge, I do not have a cartridge to look at but, perhaps you can thread a strip of foam or Tyveks with some diamond paste through the blades.

You should be able to extend the blade life, how long I don’t know, but if you were to strop a blade and just remove soap and skin to prevent oxidation, post shaving would go a long way to preserving an edge. That, I suspect would deteriorate an edge more than dulling by use.

Interesting project.

Originally Posted by Siguy

I'll admit it. i'm a handstropper. Not exclusively, though.

I beg your pardon?! This is a family forum.

The "what is" and " how to" thread for the Rolls Razor | TheShaveDen

Let me introduce you to the rolls razor and most everything you need to know about it.. It shaves somewhere between a single edge razor and a straight razor on a stick... Hones and strops it self with the use of a built in mechanism.. Read the link.. Learn what to look for in buying one and you will never need to buy another razor or learn the delightful art of straight razor shaving.. It's not quite a mach 3 but it is a complete system..