Thread: Questions About Edge Longevity & Honing

Enjoy reading and learning from all of the above, but will also note that in the time I spent doing so, I could have refreshed a handful of razors on a barber's hone or naniwa 12k.

Originally Posted by MinniesMate

Are we talking exclusively carbon steel or are the razors that last for months, etc., stainless steel?

Both. My Heljestrand that is up to ~140 shaves is carbon steel.

The difference in the number of shaves between stainless and carbon isn't really that great and where say a stainless seems to be longerlived I think its just a specific razor. I've seen carbon razors that way outlived any stainless so this stainless-carbon thing really isn't an issue I would even give a second thought to.

I have a dovo stainless with the MOP and its an exceptional shaver and very longlived between touchups. My TI Damascus I have probably 4 years now and it has never been touched up and shaves as good as the day I got it shave ready and I'm talking well over 100 shaves here. My two Williams Razors can seemingly go forever between touchups too and they are carbon steel. So there are alot of variables to consider here.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

I'm not doubting the claims members are making...

Originally Posted by mparker762

Your resistance to believing that the edge really can last for months or years is understandable. I believe this skepticism is what is causing your confusion over Sham's post - because you really don't believe (despite giving us the benefit of the doubt) that the edge really can last for an extended period of use without appreciable wear.

Originally Posted by Lynn

I still very much believe that you should be able to get between 2-3 months with a razor before re-honing if used daily with good stropping technique. Some folks may get a little less and some a little more. This belief is from actually experiencing this, doubt or not.

Alright,

I'm really getting the feeling that at this point I have done a shoddy job at making it clear that I DO NOT doubt what members are saying about edge longevity. These results may not be wide spread among all members, and my edges are certainly not lasting 182.5 or 365 days without pastes or honing. This does not mean I don't believe you guys. That's why I called this thread "Questions about edge longevity" instead of "bulls**itters bulls**ting about edges". And yes, that was an attempt at humor.

So, it HAS been established that more than a couple people are getting years from an edge. Instead of just talking about the number of months or years these edges are lasting why are we not focusing on how to achieve this feat? I have read portions of the Stropping is King thread (and I will finish it eventually, I promise) but this thread is almost 4 years old already and isn't exactly front page news around here anymore.

I for one would appreciate a more thorough discussion on this in the future, as the main focus is usually on honing and attaining the sharpest edge in town instead of maintaining said edge.