Thread: Re-Freshing, Touch-Ups, and Time to Re-Hone

I've had pleasing results due to the advice I received with posted questions on honing when I first dived into that effort. Still rather new to razor maintenance...I'm probably to the point where I will soon need to touch-up my razors and beyond that, I suppose re-hone. Realizing the information I'm seeking is in various locations, rather than hunt an peck, would a few of you take a moment to address these questions with your method/opinion, and I will thank you in advance:

First, I realize that there is no exact answer as some of it depends on the steel the razor is made of, heavy, average, light beard, etc. But...

Generally, I have been re-freshing my razors with a Cro Ox treated strop once every 5-7 shaves as in round terms, this seems to be where the razor may start to tug a bit. Is that about what your experience is?

My honing equip. is: 1000-Naniwa, 4000/8000 Norton, 12000 Naniwa w/350 Diamond Lapper

I haven't had to touch-up a razor yet, but, know that is around the corner. Not wanting to do anymore than is necessary, where do most of you start...4000, with a modified pyramid; 8000, or finer and what if so, suggestions on number of strokes (15-30 on a 12000, 8000, etc.?)

Finally, on down the line, what number of shaves in very round terms is going to bring me to where it will be necessary to re-bevel/hone the razor.

Thanks for you time.

I'd say start with 10 passes on the Naniwa 12 and see what that does. If it gets you close, try 10 more. If it doesn't get you close, some time on the 8k or maybe conservative pyramids on the 4 and 8k and then up to the Nani 12.

It really depends on how far from "shave ready" you are.

everyone seems to have a different idea on this, so really its a find out when your razor starts tugging kind of effort then begin...i agree with a previous post start on a high grit stone then adjust as necessary, i know some people think re-honing has to be done regularly however i have found that a few laps on a pasted strop does me, some of my regular razors have gone months without honing, i just use a good stropping technique as that is essential...this is what i love about this obsession...so many ways to skin a cat....
if it were me , id go for the pasted strop first, hones as a last resort...you will know what works best for you.

good luck...simon

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I'd say start with 10 passes on the Naniwa 12 and see what that does. If it gets you close, try 10 more. If it doesn't get you close, some time on the 8k or maybe conservative pyramids on the 4 and 8k and then up to the Nani 12.

It really depends on how far from "shave ready" you are.

+1 from me but may really like +50---- meaning I don't think you could damage your razor if you rubbed it on that 12k for a month. I like a little lather or dishwash detergent on mine, and lots of strokes, mixing up circles and x's.

Its been said that the use of paste caan round the edge. If thats the case you may find you have to start at 4k. Best to try finer grits first like the above coments say. I no lynn recomended a pyramid of 3/3 1/3 1/5 to 7. this way you won't over do it. you can repeat untill your shaving again.

I too would agree with holli4 to start at the 12k or highest grit with 5 to 10 strokes and try it. If you have to you can always go to a lower grit and work back up.

I have found that pasted strops tend to round the edge a bit, requiring more aggressive honing when honing is finally required. For this reason, I use pasted balsa and pasted leather on wood backing for touch-ups. Using these for touch-ups, I'm able to get by with a less aggressive honing technique when honing is needed.

Interesting viewpoints.
I'll chime in with my .02... and yall can tell me how wrong I am!

I don't have a 12k stone... my steps are 2k sandpaper on a glass hone, 4/8k Norton, then CrO leather hone (leather glued to a board), then cotton strop then leather strop.

I'd like to have an intermediate step between the 8k and CrO, but the funds haven't presented themselves, AND I can get a good shave (I'm sure it could be better, always, but it works).

I also have 4 razors of which 3 are my standard shaving razors and the other is much smaller and I use for tight areas like mustache and chin.
My usual steps are.. if the razor starts to hurt/pull then I go a few rounds on the CrO strop then canvas then leather. That usually brings it back up for a while. When that's no longer enough I retire that razor until I have time to get out the Norton... then I usually just go ahead and start back at the 2K, as I just feel like it gives me a "new" edge. Realistically I know I *should* start back at the 8k, and go down to the 2k only if needed, but I typically lack the patience and time required. and I KNOW if I go 2k, 4k, 8k, CrO, Cotton, Leather that I'll get a good shaver.

Originally Posted by bbshriver

... then I usually just go ahead and start back at the 2K, as I just feel like it gives me a "new" edge. Realistically I know I *should* start back at the 8k, and go down to the 2k only if needed, but I typically lack the patience and time required. and I KNOW if I go 2k, 4k, 8k, CrO, Cotton, Leather that I'll get a good shaver.

When honing is required, that's what I generally do also -- just start with the very coarse and work my way up. It may not be the best way; but, for me it's the surest and the fastest way.

This is difficult stuff indeed.

I have the Naniwa SS 5k, 8k and the 12k.
I also have that SRD paddle thingy, with the exchangeable felt/leather stuff.

The 12k is my goto fix. I get really good shaves off that.
The pasted felt, with diamond spray 0.25 and 0.5 dulls my edge in like 2 strokes flat. (I must be the worst stropper of all times)

Honestly, I'm 6'7" tall and weigh 240 pounds, and i could do the conga bare feets all day long on the edge without any problem after like 4 strokes on that thing.

So, What I have learned is that stropping is really difficult, the 12k is a sure thing.

It's friday. A shave and a stout is next