Thread: Honing start

My methods are as follows if the razor starts pulling:

Strop on leather (daily use) = If I use the strop exclusively it will maintain my razor for about a month with a useable edge if I am not satified with the edge

Crox & Irox Pasted balsa = usually I do this once a week but that is because I like the razor fresh every week if still pulling

Finisher as required = this can replace the balsa above depending on if you are happy to shave straight off the stone.

If still pulling something is up and I need to analise my technique on the above assuming this is a razor that has a set bevel.

I successfully lapped my 12k plate using the pencil grid trick. Nice and flat now. At least I will be able to maintain my edge with a few passes each week.

I also ordered a cheap but decent used SR from eBay and a Norton 4k/8k stone from SRD so I can work on technique without risking my shaving razor. I expect that I'll do more harm than good at first, but that will be the real test, if I can get the technique down to bring the edge back to shave ready.

It’s a lot like car maintenance, if you change the oil, check the tire pressure and do all around maintenance, you can avoid costly repairs, catching small things, before they become big things.

A 12k or a Barber Hone and proper stropping, can keep you shaving well, for a long time. As can a pasted strop… assuming you can strop, which is where most new guys have a problem and cause more issues than they solve.

But, all of this is Normal, and eventually you will learn to strop…properly and many of your issues disappear. The only way to learn to strop, is to strop. Learning with a mentor will improve your edges and be a lot easier on your strop.

Edge maintenance, with good lighted magnification, is a great way to ease into honing. The 12k is a great stone, stay on it as long as you can.