Thread: How long between touch ups?

I use a 4k/8k, a coticule, and a strop on my razor and can get a BBS shave after going through my honing procedure. However, I start getting some irritation after 7-10 days that I can't seem to strop out. I have to go a few laps on the coticule to get back to the best edge that I know how to create.

Based on what I read in some of the other posts, it seems like I should be getting more longevity out of the edge before having to go to a stone. I'm confident that my stropping technique is OK. Any ideas on what's going on and/or what I can do about it?

Thanks in advance.

I wouldn't even worry about how many shaves you get between honings.So many factors are involved-everything from the steel to your beard.

You have the hones and apparently have it figured out enough to get BBS after your honing -it really doesn't matter.Getting a good shave EVERYTIME is the goal. Its easier to go back and touch up an edge than let it get REALLY DULL and have to resharpen.

Using linen and leather? Just leather? How many round trips on each/just the one?


What brand and size/grind razor?


Inquiring minds wanna know!

-Rob

You must be stropping correctly or you wouldn't get a good shave at all. That said, how many laps are you doing. I do 50 linen and 50 leather based on a post my mparker that steered me in that direction and it works great for me. OTOH, I never use the same razor twice in a few weeks so I don't keep track of how long they shave before touch ups. If you are only using one razor I guess it depends on how many passes and how tough your beard is. You might look into getting some chrom ox or diamond spray. SRD has a new felt strop made especially for pastes that looks like it will really get them sharp. I just got mine in the mail today and haven't tried it yet.

In general I get about 15 shaves before needing a touch up. There are exceptions though. I know some guys seem to be able to go for months shaving with the same razor without touchups. Maybe they have peachfuzz for beards or maybe they don't mind a little deterioration in the comfort level or maybe they are the best honers in the world or maybe its evil spirits.

I'm in the 3 to 10 category, it really depends on the razor and how well I did the last touch up. I've been experimenting with the linen to extend the time between touch up honing (not a full hone session, just 20 to 50 laps on a finishing hone like the coticule or the 16k Shapton) but it's not that effective for me so when I feel a razor is just about gone, I'll give it 50 linen and 50 leather and get another bearable shave out of it, but it's rarely any better than the last so at that point it gets chucked into the hone pile. Perhaps I could go on, but I don't like sort of sharp razors... I like perky sharp but smooth so that I can enjoy the shave.... not just shave.

So, to me it sounds like you are doing great!

Regards

Christian

I really don't know, some of my razors go out as a fast as 10 to 20 shaves, my best couple never seem to need anything. I do do 10 laps on a linnen with ash rubbed in every few shaves though, that sharpens it just a tiny bit I think. Thne when they edge does start to go about three to six laps on a barbers hone brings it back for a while. I end up actually honing the majority of my razors after about sixty shaves or so.

Originally Posted by sicboater

Using linen and leather? Just leather? How many round trips on each/just the one?


What brand and size/grind razor?


Inquiring minds wanna know!

-Rob

DD Goldedge spike 6/8 full hollow grind

30 laps linen/50 laps leather daily plus 20 laps leather between the two passes, WTG and ATG; much more after honing or touching up

Hello Lawman. I have become spoiled with the edge on my blades and when I feel the slightest difference I touchup on the hones. That comes after 3 or 4 shaves so your 7 shaves doesn't seem unreasonable. It also depends on the blades themselves on how hard the steel etc. I have a few that go longer [My Mystro Livi for one]. Just 20 strokes on my 30K shapton then a light touch on the CrO brings it back.

bj