Thread: I just want something simple to keep my straight sharp

I'm thinking about going for the Heirloom 4 Sided Vintage Style Paddle Strop Combo (3 sides for paste, 1 side leather). I want to keep my one straight sharp w/o having to send it out. I don't intend to buy any other razors or stones etc. I'm pretty simple. Will this do? If not, what will? I'm just going to make one purchase in this area and I want it to be good.

What 3 grits should I get out of: 3.0, 1.0, 0.5, and 0.25

Thanks!

That will do it for a shave ready razor. I'd go with the smaller numbers (higher grits) since the 3 micron is about 8K grit IIRC. Just keep in mind that if you put a nick in the blade (drop it, hit it on something, etc), you will have to send it out.

All I want to do is keep a shave ready razor, shave ready.

Sounds like the pasted strop with 1, .5, .25 and plain leather would be the way to go then, in my opinion.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Sounds like the pasted strop with 1, .5, .25 and plain leather would be the way to go then, in my opinion.

This should do it, but eventually (yearly?) your blade will probably need a touch up by a pro, If you watch for an inexpensive barber hone to go with this, you can do the touchup yourself, and forgoe my services.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Sounds like the pasted strop with 1, .5, .25 and plain leather would be the way to go then, in my opinion.

+1 Agree completely...

I went with the 4 sided 3.0,1.0,0.5,0.25 and an DMT 8EE. The 8EE doesn't need to be flattened and you can do a lot of the smaller honing jobs. Some people are telling me that Chromium, which is 0.5, gives a way smoother shave than diamond. That is what they recommend for the 4th side of the strop instead of leather. I have been at this straight shaving thing about 4 months and the above setup is really nice and simple and fast. I am getting great shaves.


Take Care,
Richard

My setup is pretty simple. I have a D8EE, a bench strop with .5 micron CrO, and a hanging linen/leather strop.

It's worked to get my brand new DOVO in shaving form, and it's worked to clean up, re-bevel, and hone an ebay razor into shaving form. The D8EE actually cuts pretty fast, and for a while I didn't have the CrO, and the edge from the DMT, followed by 200 passes on the linen and 100 on the leather produced a good shave. The CrO makes it noticeably better so I'd definitely recommend that.

I would skip the 0.25 paste and go with your remaining 3 choices. Skipping the 3, instead, would also work o.k.

Bear in mind that you might actually be one of those who, eventually, simply do not like the shaving edge from a paste.

Try shaving from a non-pasted edge (10k to 12k hone) at least once to check it out. I am another big fan of finer barber hones for finishing.

This is some fantastic information. Thank you, gentlemen! I've been looking to do the same thing.