Thread: Edge condition issue?

I suppose this belongs in the Honing section?

I have two straights in my rotation. I have a vintage Morley Clover left to me by my great grandfather (more info here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ey-clover.html). Then I bought a nice Blue Steel with real ivory scales from a user here. I used them for a couple months about once per week. They dulled up pretty quickly. They pulled badly when shaving, and it makes a tear come to my eye. I haven't used them in many months as a result. I'm not real sure if it's my stropping techniques or the result of the original honing, or if this is typical. Before every shave, I was stropping on the leather a good 40x before each shave. Eventually, I got some diamond spray and I stopped on the fabric strop. That did help, but only for one or two shaves.

I certainly don't want to spend too much money keeping my blades sharp but would rather learn how and make that part of my routine/maint schedule. My goal is to use straights 100% of the time. I switched to safety razors of late though.


I ended up buying a pretty nice (in my novice opinion) Swaty Barber's Hone. I don't know the details but it was listed as a barber's hone. I got it today after it was missent and ended up in the next town over for a few days. I touched up both blades on this hone using this guide: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tP-GUeN_yBs