How to keep blade shave sharp?

**AusTexShaver** · 10-17-2008, 10:31 PM

It depends on how much you want to spend and how involved you want to get with the art of keeping a razor shave ready.

The gamut runs from a handmade balsa pasted strop for under $10 to a full set of Shapton ceramic on glass stones or a set of natural stones for several hundred dollars.

For the cost of everything you need to properly hone a very dull razor you can sent yours out to be professionally honed for several years.

**kaptain_zero** · 10-17-2008, 10:41 PM

For keeping an already well honed razor sharp and comfortable, it's hard to beat a Coticule in my book. I've got Shaptons, the norton and a few other hones but I end up using either the Coticule or the Shapton 16K and between the two I'd have to say the Coticule is more flexible... it can't quite match the Shapton for ultimate sharpness but it's almost as sharp and, for several of my razors at least, makes for a much smoother shave. I like to finish on a chromium oxide pasted strop but even straight off the Coticule the shaves are nice. I find about 40 to 50 strokes on the Coticule with plain water about every 7 to 10 shaves keeps my razor in peak condition. I do like my razors *sharp* and prefer to do a weekly honing rather than try to drag things out to the point where I have to start thinking about doing a true honing job rather than just a simple touch up.

Regards

Christian

**netsurfr** · 10-18-2008, 12:24 AM

Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

For keeping an already well honed razor sharp and comfortable, it's hard to beat a Coticule in my book. I've got Shaptons, the norton and a few other hones but I end up using either the Coticule or the Shapton 16K and between the two I'd have to say the Coticule is more flexible... it can't quite match the Shapton for ultimate sharpness but it's almost as sharp and, for several of my razors at least, makes for a much smoother shave. I like to finish on a chromium oxide pasted strop but even straight off the Coticule the shaves are nice. I find about 40 to 50 strokes on the Coticule with plain water about every 7 to 10 shaves keeps my razor in peak condition. I do like my razors *sharp* and prefer to do a weekly honing rather than try to drag things out to the point where I have to start thinking about doing a true honing job rather than just a simple touch up.

Regards

Christian

+1 I would go with first a pasted hanging strop or paddle strop with Cromium Oxide to maintain a final polish about once a week. If the CrO is not quite getting it, then the yellow Coticule is one of my favorites. Beyond that you may want to send your razor out for touching up for a while.

**kaptain_zero** · 10-18-2008, 02:58 AM

Steve brought up a good point about a pasted hanging strop but seeing you are starting out... pasted hanging strops can do more damage than good if used incorrectly and it's something you need to develop a feel for more than simply follow instructions.... Personally I have one pasted hanging strop and it just hangs there........ I never use it. I do use a couple of plain leather strops of course, a rough side Illinois 827 (my favorite) and a super nice Latigo from Tony Miller but I leave the paste for a bench strop (leather glued to a 12" long block of hardwood). All roads lead to Rome, but they don't all look alike!

Regards

Christian

**xman** · 10-18-2008, 04:33 AM

Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

Steve brought up a good point about a pasted hanging strop but seeing you are starting out... pasted hanging strops can do more damage than good if used incorrectly and it's something you need to develop a feel for more than simply follow instructions....

+1 on that.

I used a simply strip of suede coated with chromium oxide stick and laid it on the counter. It worked well till I got a paddle strop and that worked great for me starting out. I can use a barber hone now and I prefer that these days, but I had to hone on a Norton for two years to learn how to do that.

X

**ronnie brown** · 10-18-2008, 05:08 AM

i think thes men gave it to you as straight as it gets, it aint rocket sience it is shaving at it"s best. the main thing is to have fun at it. when you start out you will have bad shaves and good shaves and the longer you shave the better they will get. i got a lot of good advice from thes pepole over the past two years. and have had some real fun learning to shave and all the stuf that goes with it. i have even learned to type. so have fun with it no mater what and you will get a good shave every time.

**hi_bud_gl** · 10-18-2008, 03:32 PM

this is 2 stones i use regularly.
they are barber hones and very easy to easy.you need only 4 strokes and that is it.don't do more then that it will brake down the edge.Now there is so many different barber hones are available you will need to check it out yourself and find out how many strokes will do the job.Usually 4 -5 stroke after leather up the hone.
i did put up picture and you can see it does have 2 side 1 is for sharpening another side is for keep edge sharp.hope this helps.

**netsurfr** · 10-18-2008, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

Steve brought up a good point about a pasted hanging strop but seeing you are starting out... pasted hanging strops can do more damage than good if used incorrectly and it's something you need to develop a feel for more than simply follow instructions.... Regards

Christian

Christain is absolutely correct. His suggestion about the potential for damage goes for any kind of strop. The most common beginner problem is applying pressure while stropping and rolling the cutting edge creating a blade that feels like it is ripping the beard out of your face. This goes doubly for a pasted strop since it will be removing metal in small amounts as opposed to a plain leather strop where the edge is being aligned.

So, regardless of the type of strop you are using (pasted or plain), keep the strop taunt and only use the weight of the blade during the strokes on the strop. Resist the urge to push down on the blade and use the same amount of muscle power that you are using to keep the strop taunt.

**chee16** · 10-18-2008, 06:55 PM

"So, regardless of the type of strop you are using (pasted or plain), keep the strop taunt and only use the weight of the blade during the strokes on the strop. Resist the urge to push down on the blade and use the same amount of muscle power that you are using to keep the strop taunt."

i wholeheartedly agree, as i rounded the edge of my first razor and didn't realize it until i found this place. i just figured i needed more practice with the angle (which i still did) but once i used another razor with a nice edge it was night and day. it doesn't take much pressure.

**Bruce** · 10-18-2008, 07:09 PM

I thought you were just supposed to get a new shave ready razor when they didn't work so swell any more.

Could it be that I have been mis-diagnosed and don't really have RAD after all?

And I have URP instead? (unnecessary razor purchases)

Ain't that swell?

I wonder if Josh needs any Le Grelots and Pumas to test?

I just checked my pulse and temperature; I have RAD. Sorry, Josh

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