Thread: Razor edge maintenance while traveling

I have a question about honing (and perhaps stropping) and I hope to tap the vast pool of knowledge and experience that resides here. I am new to straight razor shaving and while I have searched both the forums and online, I am still uncertain about this topic. It doesnt seem like it should be as difficult as it appears to be made to sound (so I am confused).

Here is my situation: I will soon enter a job that requires me to travel a great deal (3 – 4 months out of the year). It seems to me entirely reasonable to suspect I may need to hone my razor while I am away from home.

Can someone here suggest a good hone they use, or maybe one that is suitable for use, while on the road? I have considered the Norton 4000/8000, but it seems rather bulky, heavy, and I would hate to break something that expensive. Is there something perhaps smaller and less expensive I could use?

Thank you so much. I really look forward to any suggestions that may be offered.

If you really can't get by with a pasted paddle strop (or two), you might look into Tilly's beginner set of barber hones. She's at www.redtrader99.com. It's the best bang for the buck. You will have to lap them before use, though.


HTH,

Wayne

what a great question! I too travel often. I travel 3-5 days a week every week, right now I use a DE, but I really hope to use a straight on the road, I am just not sure how I am going to be able to do it.

I am home every week, so my situation isnt the exact same as yours and hopefully I can get away with just a regular strop during the week. It will be interesting to hear any responses!

I got a pocket paddle and a regular paddle strop from Tony. A little 0.5 paste on one side and clean finishing leather on the other would do the trick nicely for you. The barber hones can take some getting used to as honing does in the first place. Since you need to learn how to strop anyhow, why not make good use of one of your first skills. With a 4 sided paddle(mmmmm balsa), you might never need anything else! Not as compact for travel though.

X

You should be able to get several months out of a razor without honing it. You will need to strop them every time before shaving. Packing a hanging strop isn't much different than a belt.

Glen

A hanging strop does work well for travel exspecially if it is one of the small, lightweight ones we probably all started with....... 1 1/2" - 1 3/4" x18" or so.
A leather only version would roll easily into a bag as the linen typically makes them rather stiff.

Tony

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. My main concern is if I manage to nick or in some other way damage the blade in such a way I need a hone.

Wayne, do you have experience with Tilly's beginner set of barber hones?

When I travel now, I roll my Strop (thanks, Tony!) up like a belt and put it in my suitcase or dopp bag. People claim a paddle is easier to travel with, but this isn't my experience - I find them hard to fit in anything, especially a shaving bag. Though I guess you could put it easily in your suitcase.

As for the nicks thing... Probably easier to pack an extra razor in case of accidents than to haul around a bunch of hones, or even one hone. Then you can hone out nicks when you get home.

Thanks JL,

Getting ready today I was thinking it may just be better to take two with me. Which strop did you get from Tony? Does your strop have the two peice leather and canvas combo?

Thanks for your reply.

I have the Heritage #2, with the leather and linen, yes. I didn't have all that much trouble rolling it up, and it went right back to shape afterwards. Might get an all-leather one if I see a lot of travel in my future, though.