Thread: Barber honing advice - blade still dull

Hey Guys,

I picked up a barber hone a while back to use for touching up edges that are starting to pull without having to do a full honing (i.e. sending it out for someone else to do it). I know everyone here loves the gritty details so here they are:

Started out with a new Dovo that was plenty sharp and has been a great shaver. Did about 8-10 x-pattern laps on my barber's hone with some watery lather on it. Then I moved on to a suede bench strop (8"x2") coated with CrOx for about 15 laps of the same x-pattern (this got the edge really smooth). Then 30 x-pattern laps on bench strop with unpasted suede. Then 30 laps on my standard strop, only the leather side. I used almost no pressure on the barber's hone and the bench strops, normal (minimal) pressure on my hanging leather strop.

I shaved with the razor and while the shave was really smooth, it was also really dull. I got through it, and it cut the hairs, but definitely not the closest shave I've ever had. I know since I'm new at this I'll probably improve with practice, but I'm wondering if anyone has any tips to accelerate the process?