Thread: When to hone ?

Hi gents,

I just got my first clasic razor a month ago. Fortunately I was in a business trip next to Solingen and got a DOVO Pearlex 5/8, carbon steel.

I asked the seller if I need, besides the strop, also a hone. He said, the strop should last me like 20 years. Is this reasonable?

What are you're experienced opinion about honing?
How can I recognize when I should hone?
At a normal shave (once/2 days) after how much time do I need to hone?

Thanks.

There are differences of opinion here. Some people maintain their razors with nothing but pastes on strops indefinitely. Some do most or all of their maintenance on hones. Some do a mix of both, doing stropping alone until the stropping no longer does the job and then resorting to the hone. It really depends on the coarseness of the pastes used and the preferences of the user. The latter is affected by how the person learned to do their maintenance.

How was that for a non-answer?

Originally Posted by Utopian

There are differences of opinion here. Some people maintain their razors with nothing but pastes on strops indefinitely. Some do most or all of their maintenance on hones. Some do a mix of both, doing stropping alone until the stropping no longer does the job and then resorting to the hone. It really depends on the coarseness of the pastes used and the preferences of the user. The latter is affected by how the person learned to do their maintenance.

How was that for a non-answer?

Thanks for the answer, basically there are a lot of variables.

I saw a video on youtube some time ago and the guy said that you don't necessarily need paste.

In the end I need to see how it goes after half a year maybe.

Originally Posted by MDM

Thanks for the answer, basically there are a lot of variables.

I saw a video on youtube some time ago and the guy said that you don't necessarily need paste.

In the end I need to see how it goes after half a year maybe.

Thats a perfect way to handle it. Dont worry until its time to worry. Remember there are many ways to skin a cat. Paste, diamond spray, balsa There are a select few myself included that are lucky to own Lipshaw microtome strops that have two sides one that's diamond patterned thats impregnated with an abrasive. It keeps an edge in working order far longer then anything I've tried before or since. I.M.H.O. / Y.M.M.V.
Heres a link regarding the Lip.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...ml#post1531154

Remember you do what works best for you, and with that time and experience will give you that answer. If you ask 10 members what to do you'll usually get 10 different answers.
Good luck
Darl (Tarkus)

Did you get the razor honed or is it still factory edge. The factory edge will need honing to be shave ready. A strop is your basic maintenance. Have a good read and you will find plenty of ways to maintain a shave ready razor. Pastes, sprays, barber hone, high grit hone etc etc.

Originally Posted by eddy79

Did you get the razor honed or is it still factory edge. The factory edge will need honing to be shave ready. A strop is your basic maintenance. Have a good read and you will find plenty of ways to maintain a shave ready razor. Pastes, sprays, barber hone, high grit hone etc etc.

Thanks Eddy for your reply,

The representative from DOVO told me that the edge is shave ready because they already honed it previously in the factory.
I have read about needing to hone it after purchase but in my case the razor does its job. I need only 1 pass for WTG,XTG,ATG so i think it is shave ready as they say.

When i should hone it i will have concerns because i cannot send it to a professional (in Romania no one does this anymore).

You may be surprised at how much better the razor will shave with a hone. Try doing a search for members in your area. There are likely to be a few around that may be able to help. The classifieds may have someone you can send it to that isn't too far away.

The only other option is buy all the hones and a extra razor. Something far cheaper but in good condition and teach yourself to hone. Will take some practice but you would be truly self sufficient after and have a spare razor in case of accidents

Originally Posted by eddy79

You may be surprised at how much better the razor will shave with a hone. Try doing a search for members in your area. There are likely to be a few around that may be able to help. The classifieds may have someone you can send it to that isn't too far away.

The only other option is buy all the hones and a extra razor. Something far cheaper but in good condition and teach yourself to hone. Will take some practice but you would be truly self sufficient after and have a spare razor in case of accidents

Thanks Eddy,

Honing for myself is a very good idea. In the end this is part of the whole process and would be nice to do it

Welcome aboard,,,,,,,,,, Romania is a beautiful country.

Your factory edge will not do so well. Be sure & review these links before you purchase anything.

Straight Razor Place - Beginners tips: May 2015

Straight Razor Place - Beginners Tips: November 2014

Category:Honing - Straight Razor Place Library

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Welcome aboard,,,,,,,,,, Romania is a beautiful country.

Your factory edge will not do so well. Be sure & review these links before you purchase anything.

Straight Razor Place - Beginners tips: May 2015

Straight Razor Place - Beginners Tips: November 2014

Category:Honing - Straight Razor Place Library

Hi Hirlau and thanks for your reply,
I will get into reading your suggestions.

Romania is a very beautiful country. Have you had the opportunity to visit?