Thread: Edge that only lasts a few passes

This is not meant to be derogatory in the least, but it almost makes me feel good that some experienced honing people are experiencing an issue I had with a couple of razors. It really hurts your confidence when you successfully hone a few and then all of a sudden you can't bring one around that "everybody" says shaves like a dream.

The advice I received is pretty much the same as I'm reading here. When in doubt and have tried everything that has worked for you in the past, start over. That's what I ultimately did with two problem razors. One of the two still didn't respond after that. It was a Red Imp, which seems to be universally liked. Finally I bought two balsa strops, one covered with chromium oxide (the green paste) and the other with diamond slurry spray. The seller of those two balsa strops (Ron at Star Shaving) said to do 30-40 laps each with those, then 80-100 laps with the leather. Finally, the Red Imp came around. This morning I sent Ron a thank you email.

I think this is the reason I remain interested in straight shaving and other people think I'm nuts for being excited about such a mundane daily ritual. They use disposables and cartridges and I can understand in that context why they think I'm crazy. Once you feel like you've earned your stripes, a curve ball is thrown at you and you seek resolution from a community of shavers.