Thread: time to rehone

I have a DOVO that Lynn honed for me last month with great results. He pointed out some mistakes that I had made honing it and that really helped with honing my other razors. I first want to say a big public thanks to Lynn for his time and help.

The DOVO gave me really good shaves when I got it back. A friend at work wanted to try straight shaving so I let him borrow it. He bought a strop and I showed him proper stropping technique. He used it for a couple weeks and returned it bragging about great shaves. When I tried to shave with it tonight it just scraped the lather off not cutting anything. Stropping and strop pastes havn't brought the edge back.

I have never touched up a razor only honed to shaving from dead dull. What is the best progress; start with my 8K norton, or should I start with the 4K and work through my 12K. All help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks Chris

It depends .
At first you need to find out what condition your blade is at the moment.
You can start with 8k norton and see if it brings the edge back .
if not then you can move 4k then 8k check the edge. You may use Lynn's pyramid too. if this wont work then go head start all over.
1k,4/8k,
Now there another options are available.
there are to use different grit pastes( i don't know what you have or don't have)
Next could be a try barber hone etc.
depends on your choose and what is available to You.

I think your edge shouldn't be so bad. if he just dulled by stropping.
may be couple strokes 8 k will do the trick.
hope this helps

If your razor is cutting nothing at all, just removing lather as you say, it sounds to be more dull than a simple "touch up" will fix. If I had a razor that dull I would surely start on your 4K, until it shaves arm hair, and then go through the progression. I'm sure others will be along to give you more advice.

It sounds as if your "friend" has done some mischief. It needs to be rehoned.

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

I think your edge shouldn't be so bad. if he just dulled by stropping.
may be couple strokes 8 k will do the trick.
hope this helps

Thanks. I do believe that bad stropping was the culprit. There are no chips or flat spots on the edge, that I can see through my loupe. The edge is smooth across my thumbnail with a light bite. I was just unsure if the 4K would remove enough metal, and I didn't want to put more wear on the blade with a 1K if I didn't have to.

Thanks Chris