Time between honings?

So I've been shaving with a SR for over a year now and had a question.

I started out with a Dovo from SRD honed by Lynn that has served me well this entire time. It has been my primary razor since day one. I have used a few other razors occasionally (no more than probably 10-20 times) but mainly just the Dovo.

All I have ever done with the Dovo is strop it before use. And it still shaves the same as day one (A little better as my technique has improved)

I was wondering, how long has anyone gone between honings? Whether that be a touch up with pastes, finishing stones, or full bevel reset.

When I first got into this I was expecting to have to have it rehoned at least twice a year or do it myself, yet this hasn't been my experience.

I've heard things ranging from a few weeks to a few months. You should only need a touchup, be it on a pasted strop or a finishing hone. Full bevel resets would only be necessary after edge damage (ding/chip/roll/etc).

You will also probably find that as your technique and prep get better, you can go longer between touchups.

So a full year of nearly daily shaving with zero touchups is unusual? Is my beard really that pitiful? :D

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I've heard things ranging from a few weeks to a few months. You should only need a touchup, be it on a pasted strop or a finishing hone. Full bevel resets would only be necessary after edge damage (ding/chip/roll/etc).

You will also probably find that as your technique and prep get better, you can go longer between touchups.

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It's very unusual. Good technique and good stropping. This whole "I've got a tough beard" stuff you here from some guys is non-sense.

You've done very well, although its not really an important issue. It's not necessarily a soft beard. But, it might be hard to convince you to learn to hone.

I hone once a month but I have no idea when I would need to hone.

I've honed a few razors already, figuring I would have to learn eventually. I haven't touched my dovo though. If it ain't broke.....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

It's very unusual. Good technique and good stropping. This whole "I've got a tough beard" stuff you here from some guys is non-sense.

You've done very well, although its not really an important issue. It's not necessarily a soft beard. But, it might be hard to convince you to learn to hone.

I hone once a month but I have no idea when I would need to hone.

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As often as necessary is the only answer I can come up with. How often that is depends on too many variables per the individual razor and user to make a definite blanket statement. I would say getting that long out of a daily driver indicates you're doing something right. :)

I have wondered the same thing as the OP, but for the opposite reason: I get the best shaves if I do about 20 strokes on a 12K about every two weeks, and of course I wonder if I'm doing it too often!

So far, I have shaved with my stainless Dovo #41 for two and a half years without ever honing on a stone. On the original factory edge. Respect the strop!

This may help, Straight Razor Place - Beginners Tips: November 2012