Thread: How often do you "refresh" your blade?

All:
Thank you for the responses! For those that maintain their edges into the months/years with only stropping could you elaborate on your technique? Do you strop leather only, or linen then leather? And how many passes? I'm beginning to think I'm not stropping enough...current routine about 20 on the linen and 40 on the leather (A SRD 3 inch for those who are interested). Maybe I should up it to about 50 linen 50 leather? I tried that this morning and got a great shave (but the blade was just honed about a week ago so this is only it's third or fourth shave).
Greg

I don't think technique will tell you much as I will bet you will get a variety of answers but for what it's worth, I've always just used leather... I suppose on average 50 passes. My preference is horsehide but I reckon that's not essential.

I have quite a few razors, and generally keep 8 or 9 out in rotation. It's funny because they rarely need touching up. I attribute this to my Swaty. Of course I strop, I use a Red Latigo followed by Kenrup's Paladin, I use his as a finishing strop. Maybe my stroping helps, I don't know. I do 5 passes on a Swaty before I use the blade. That seems to keep them going for quite a while. I actually miss honing to be honest.
I too, would go to my Nakayama or Escher if it started to pull. They both leave such a smooth edge. SRD's hard pressed wool felt with Diamond spray is awesome too, but you can't keep refreshing the edge on that, Eventually, you'll have to hit the rocks...

I keep mine in the fridge...... they stay fresh! Don't panic Ill be in town all week.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

I keep mine in the fridge...... they stay fresh! Don't panic Ill be in town all week.

Never thought o' dat

Zib,
Your response is what I've been looking for. I guess I should maybe have clarified my original question a little bit...when you say you use the Swaty a few passes is that before every shave or every couple? What I'm trying to figure out is how often "should" I go back to the Chinese 12k or a CrOX strop as a touchup....not a full rehoning (although I think my original post might have sounded that way). Thanks to everyone so far...I one day hope to be a

Hello Greg. As you can see there are a lot of styles that each one gets into and it isn't the same for every one. I for one refresh every 4 or 5 shaves and I think it is so often because I have a pretty tough beard and like my blades in top form. I say do what ever suits you best.

bj