Thread: honing a used razor bought on Ebay

Hi folks, I am new here and to straight razor shaving. I bought two very old but good condition razors on ebay, it came with a hone and i can hone a good edge to shave good with but the blade doesnt stay sharp, I have read you dont need to hone every shave, could these be to dull to bother with, or have I over honed them. I have had several nice shaves but not consistant with it yet. Any advise???

what kind/grit is the hone?
To make a razor shave ready, assuming it does not need a touch up, you need a progression of stones.

I am not sure its dark gray on one side and clay redish orange on the other both sides very smooth I am used to more abrassive for knives. it does work I have had a few very nice shaves but I think the blade should not have to be honed each time. could it be I need to strop more, I give it 50 round trips.

A properly honed razor should last for more than a few shaves without the need to touch up on a stone. You have to strop before every shave, 20-40 on linen 50-70 on leather, keep in mind those numbers are just for general reference.

If you are truly getting it to shave after each honing, your stropping technique is likely dulling the blade.

I can get the the Truefit & Hill in Chicago but afraid of thier prices since I am a beginner. I guess it wouldnt hurt to get some info there and buy a good set then learn how to use it. thanks for your help.

thanks I was starting to think that may be it. I also got a strop on ebay when i got it, turned out to be kind of a cheap strop but was still leather so i used what i had. I will buy a new good strop and continue on the journey. thanks for the tip.

Thank you both for your fast replies. I really like the feeling I get from reading some of the other posts and comments. lots of very friendly people sharing thier info and enthusiasm for straight razor shaving. I look forward to being a member here.

SRP is one of the friendliest places on the Internet.

Welcome to SRP Karl.

Hi Karl, I posted a link to a honing tutorial in your other thread. Check that out. Are these full hollows you bought or stiffer grinds ? What brand is stamped on the blades ? Your hone doesn't sound like a razor hone from your description. Best bet is to have at least one good razor honed by a pro (see member services in the classifieds) and then you have something to shave with and compare your own efforts to when you hone your other razors. Post photos of the hone and of the razors and maybe we could better advise you.