Thread: help me help me

ok, so do i need to buy both a honing thingy and a strop...? i've watched th videos and read th instructions on how do both so now i want to know if i need both.

also. does anyone know of anywhere in australia...preferrably queensland that you can get a straight sharpened?

If the razor is shave ready, a strop should keep it going for anywhere from a dozen to 50 shaves, depending on what kind of growth it will be used in. A strop is to be used before, and, optionally after every shave. In any case, a strop is a rather essential part of SR shaving.

When a shave ready razor begins to dull out and doesn't provide as comfortable a shave, it needs to be "refreshed". Suitable implements for refreshing are finishing stones (ie. escher, coticule, swaty), Barber hones, or a pasted strop. For beginners, I highly recommend a pasted strop. As long as ones stropping technique is fine, then there is no learning curve, just do the exact same thing.

If the blade is not shave ready and does not have an established bevel (as is the case with most ebay razors), then a more coarse stone may be needed. The defacto stone of choice around here is usually the norton 4k/8k combo stone.

ToxIk is right on the money.

With respect to honing your razor please send it to someone who actually shaves with a straight. The various local sharpening services usually do not have a clue about straight razors. Perhaps someone from Australia will chime in but if not then bite the bullet and post a request for someone to hone your razor.

Welcome to the group!

thanks guys!!
yes i would be incredibly reluctant to actually hone it myself!!!
the stropping i think i can handle, how often does a straight need to be honed??
and also if i cant find anyone in australia to do it would it be worth sending it to one of the members overseas to get them to do it?

Maybe I just have the knack, but I think honing is made out to be a lot more complicated than it actually is. I would give it a try, especially if you can get a lesson from someone who knows how.

I think Toxik said a razor needs to be honed every 12 - 50 shaves: obviously that's a broad range. How long the edge will last depends on how often you use it, the razor steel, your stropping technique, and the coarsness of your beard.

I havn't heard of anyone hear in Oz, I was told about one guy but he just sharpens everything on a bench grinder

I've replied to your pm withthe details of a guy I've bought a razor off in the US who also hones realy well

SAL

If you need a Razor honed I could do it for you, I do my own plus i've honed some for forum members here is Australia and some non forum members. PM me if you need help. Besides I live in Brisbane and the last time I looked it was in Queensland...lol

John

12-50 is for someone growing 3 hairs on his face. I refresh mine after about 10 shaves. Delicate grinds after 8-10 and more robust ones after 12-15. I'd never get anywhere near 50 or even half that.

FXR,

Good to hear of someone in Oz that can hone well. I have been doing my own with some success and some failures but I would't dare to hone anyone elses razors just yet, maybee in ten years or so.

ok ,well its for my partner...his beard isnt all that coarse and he only does a full shave about once a week or two and keeps it at bay with clippers th rest of the time.
i thought getting a straight razor would be a better idea than him going to the middle eastern ladies to get his beared threaded (khite)
i think we'll have a go at honing after i see how long th blade will stay keen before it needs honing again