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I rotate seven razors and they always seem to need to be refreshed after two months. That is only 8 shaves per razor. I've read that is normal and have also read of people being able to go months and months. I think my shaving technique is good and I think I am stropping correctly but am disappointed with how often I have to refresh my razors. what do you think?
David
In general I have too many razors in rotation to be able to tell you how many shaves I can get out of a blade before needing a refresh, however i recently went on holiday for three weeks and took one razor with me. At the end of the three weeks the razor is still shaving well. You hit on two of the things that can dull an edge quickly, the other I can think of is whiskers. I also wonder about how far you have pushed the edge. I have gotten the edge on a few razors refined too thin and they just don't last. They shave well to start and go down hill fairly quickly. That is also a possibility. When you go to refresh what does your edge look like with a loupe and how much do you have to put into getting our edge back.
I don't know if eight shaves is too short an interval. Whatever schedule suits your comfort level is a good one. In time that may change, but may not. It's unlikely that you'll wear out your razors throughout refreshing them. :)
Try refreshing one or two and shave with just those razors for as long as you can.
Are you treating the razors after the shaves with any oil? If you can maintain two for longer than 8 shaves each you may have rust stealing your edges. If you only get 8 shaves rotating just the two your whiskers or stropping may be dulling the edges.
How are you refreshing the razors? What are you stropping on and how much? It may be that your stropping is just not keeping up with edge degradation.
I refresh them on a coticule followed by a thuringian and then chromium oxide. I then strop 20 on felt and 40 or so on leather. Daily I strop about the same.
I might try doubling your stopping efforts. Do you check the edges with a loupe?
I have a loop but can't see much through it and don't know what i'm looking for anyway.
I was about to say the same thing.Quote:
Originally Posted by JTmke
I find that after a couple shaves I need to double or triple the stropping. I don't think one can strop too much
Stropping, 40 laps is not enough and you may be using too much pressure.
It does sound like you edges are not that well established.
Stropping with too much pressure on Chrome Oxide is also a common problem.
A good edge should last a lot longer than 8 shaves.
I just reset the bevels on my razors and honed from there. I was thinking it had been so long since that had been done it might be part of the problem. I will also strop more with less pressure. What should I be looking for with a loop?
Ive been shaving w/ my 2 red imps the last several months.... as long as i strop well, they both shave just fine. Im not really sure when i honed them last, probably 5-6 mo back, but Ive also only been shaving with JUST those 2 for the last 3 mo or so. In the meantime, between the 2 of them, Ive done a quick 5 pass touchup on my Thuri and 5 on CrOx, MAYBE once or twice.
All in all, as long as you strop well and have a good edge set to start with, a sharp edge should be able to be had for longer than just 8 shaves (i think thats what OP mentioned)
Look straight down on the edge, looking for shiny spots that are chips or rolled edges or lack of a complete bevel set.
From the side look for chips, micro or larger and any deep stria, they will end in a chip at the edge.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZYFsOP7rBc
Before you touch up the edge look at it with the loup. Are there micro chips or missing spots on the edge or is it a straight clean line?Quote:
Originally Posted by dcaven
I have two razors I shave with every Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday I only have leather but wipe the blade off with tissue and micro cloth, then 40 before use & 60 - 80 after depending on my mood. I will give them 5 - 10 passes on Crox & Irox once a month and then a touch-up every six months on welsh slate. Having said that I am pedantic about my edge, it has to be bang on for me, I could reasonably go without the pastes and just touch up every 6.
Razors do differ and some could very well need more frequent refreshing while some can go for months. In general I think you should be able to get at least 20 shaves before you notice the slightest deterioration. I would check those edges carefully.You might reevaluate your stropping and refreshing regime.