What a difference a paste makes...

...or I could call this Honemeister Lynn to the rescue. I'm not sure where this should go, but since it came from a honing problem and it relates to razor sharpening, I thought I'd put it under honing.

I'm new to honing and after trying to hone my first razor using the Unicot method on a coticule, I was getting a comfortable but not very close shave. Lynn suggested a couple more laps with just water and a few laps on CrO. Luckily, I still have my pre-pasted practice Filly strop. Heading Lynn's advice, I've cleared another straight razor hurdle. While I wouldn't say I've reached perfection, my frustrations are resolved and my razor is definitely in the realm of shave ready.

So, first, big thanks to Lynn for your efforts building this site, for all of those who maintain this community and specific to Lynn for your advice to get me going again. Second, this raises a couple more questions for me.

1. How long should I expect a pasted strop to last (i.e. when do I need to think about refreshing the paste)?
2. I know this will generate many, many answers and my mileage is likely to vary, but in my quest for the perfect shave, I'm looking for a few new things to try to dial in my honing. What is your razor maintenance routine?

Thanks.

When i first started out honing i was using 4k/8k i then tryed several higher grit stones. The results were not much better. I then got my self a 4 sidded paddle. Boy i could not believe the differance cr.ox made. When i first got my coticule i was getting some of the worst edges ever. Then with barts advice and srp i started to get better results. After sticking with it and learning how to master the coticule i now get the best ever edges consistantly with out paste. So you need to practice with your coticule, and i asure you you will see big improvmants. Your cr.ox will come in handy to improve if you need and you can touch up on cr.ox . There will come the time when you will have to rehone. One of the easiest ways would be to hone on a milky slurry untill your razor is shaving arm hair easily then you could do 50 laps on water and then finish on cr.ox . Take a look over at coticule.be in the sharpening acadamy.