The tune-up.

[Cannis]

So my Frederick Reynolds wedge just doesn't seem to be cutting it as close as when I got it. Maybe a dozen shaves into it. It is stropped 25 linen and 50 leather before each shave. What would be considered a minor honing. I have a 1K,4K,8K and 12K stones. Should I just give it some 8K then 12K work or should I start with the 12K. It just needs that little somethin-somthin.

[rmalak]

I would say that 30 laps on the 8K and 30 on the 12K would be sufficient.

[ace]

I'd start with the 12K, strop and test it. Only if that didn't do the job would I go lower.

[onimaru55]

Moved to "Honing" forum.

[ccase39]

I would start with 50 on the cotton and 100 on the leather first , before I put it to a stone. If that doesn't work go to the 12k and work your way down if you need too. I have a couple of FR and they are very hard steel and can take a bit to get shave ready, but once they are they are awesome. They hold an edge for a very long time too. 12 shaves in should not dull the blade at all unless you may have rolled the edge on the strop or something. Did it come shave ready?

[Johnus]

Wedges trouble the ba-gee-bees outta me. I don't know why I keep buying them? Some day one of mine will be shave ready; and I'll have no idea how it got that way!

[Cannis]

It did come shave ready. It was said to have been honed by Lynn. At least thats the story I got.

[ccase39]

It did come shave ready. It was said to have been honed by Lynn. At least thats the story I got.

Lynn is the best in the business. I have more than one honed by him and have used them dozens of times and they still shave like the day I got them. My guess is that you rolled your edge and will need to send it back out. I would send the wedge back to get honed and buy an ebay razor to practice honing. As stated above I would try not to learn on a wedge. Get a full or half hollow for that.

[thebigspendur]

Once a razor needs refreshing I've never been able to do that with just a plain strop either leather or linen. I would just do some strokes on the 12K and see what happens. That should do it. Maybe 30 strokes and test since it's a wedge. if it was a hollow grind I'd say 10 strokes and test.