Thread: Touching up too often?

In order to get some practice I've been touching up my razors every 7 shaves, whether they need it or not. I do 10 laps on a Naniwa 10k and 10 laps on a Naniwa 12k followed by 7 laps on Chromium Oxide. I know the Chromium Oxide alone would be enough but I really need the practice on the stones. Am I doing any harm to my razors by touching up so often?

There is the argument about excessive metal removal. The reality is that the amount removed may or may not be negligible, no one can tell for sure. In the end they are your razors, so the decision is entirely up to you.

Now, IMO, your goal should be to see how long you can go WITHOUT honing, by refining your stropping and shaving techniques. If your goal is to simply improve at honing go and buy some ebay specials or antique store pieces. Touching up edges (what you are doing currently) is an easy process and in the end won't teach you that much about honing

Originally Posted by Ryan82

There is the argument about excessive metal removal. The reality is that the amount removed may or may not be negligible, no one can tell for sure. In the end they are your razors, so the decision is entirely up to you.

Now, IMO, your goal should be to see how long you can go WITHOUT honing, by refining your stropping and shaving techniques. If your goal is to simply improve at honing go and buy some ebay specials or antique store pieces. Touching up edges (what you are doing currently) is an easy process and in the end won't teach you that much about honing

Thanks for the advice. I saw a bunch of old razors for real cheap. I think I'll buy a few and give my 5k and 8k a little work out. I have a feeling I'm going to end up buy a 3k and 1k

Anythings possible in this sport

IIRC the Naniwa 3k and 5k are somewhat interchangeable, meaning that if you have one you don't really need the other. So if you already have the 5k get a 1k bevel setter and you're good .

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Anythings possible in this sport

IIRC the Naniwa 3k and 5k are somewhat interchangeable, meaning that if you have one you don't really need the other. So if you already have the 5k get a 1k bevel setter and you're good .

The Chosera 1k seems really popular around here but it costs a little over 2.5 times more than Naniwa 1k. Is it 2.5 times better? BTW I'm going to buy the 3k just because of my OCD

Actually, Your fine with the Naniwa 1k. It's very close to the Chosera. The Chosera became popular with the guys that do a lot of honing, due to it's speed and feedback. So, like most things on this forum, it started a frenzy. It happens.

It is a good hone. Consider the Naniwa 1k it's little brother.

Ryan gave you good advice. I know how you feel, and the temptation to take your razor out to practice on can be great. Do yourself a favor and get some old junker's to practice on.

If your razor is degrading to the point where your shaves are no longer comfortable (don't wait until they get really bad or you'll have more work to do & lots of irritation to boot; do it as soon as you notice a drop-off) & stropping no longer brings the edge back, do a touchup & see if it helps.

If you find that happening pretty soon, you might want to reevaluate your stropping or even shaving technique & see if there's another way to get the closeness you want w/o putting such a strain on the blade.

I don't think that 20 touch up laps a week will wear away too much metal. Perhaps the razor will only last 50 years instead of 100 years.

I've found my honing improves the more I hone. I apply Ryan's advice on some razors, how long can I keep them going between honing, and others are slowly being sacrificed to the honing gods. Daily, or close to, shaving and stropping worked wonders for my technique and I think the same applies to honing.

I do feel a slight tinge of remorse wearing away vintage ebay beaters that are in a sad state, a $3 gold dollar is completely guilt free. I couldn't really care if someone thinks I'm putting undue wear on a few cheap razors by repeatedly taking them through grit progressions or dilutions.

I'm sure I recall some of the old barber manuals, and experienced posters here, saying it takes years and hundreds or thousands of razors to really become proficient at honing - career change or lottery win aside I'll be doing the death march for perfection wearing through a few cheap stones and razors.

I'm sure I'm not alone in not learning from others mistakes so much as putting them into practice and then going "ahhhhhh, now I get it".