Thread: 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?

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.

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.....

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.

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