Thread: Honing and Sharpening

Ok men simple question. How long does a hone and sharpening job last on a razor that has very little use ( 2-3 ) times in a year?
Razors have been stored in a cloth sleeve , blade also oiled.
Thanks all..

I have razors I'm using same honed edge for nearly two years. Leather stropping only, no pastes or sprays. No fuzz on this face, 58 year old wire.

If you're talking about razors coming out of storage, give a good leather stropping and shave. If more required, move to finishing stone. If still more needed, work backward in honing progression.

I hone my own, ones I sell and customers razors. I recommend Theirs Issard strop paste from The Art of Shaving on the canvas Strop. I Strop canvas first and finish on leather. I use it and with proper Strop technique an edge lasts at least a year before refresh is needed. In some cases the edge improves over time.

I think the crux of your question here is whether or not time has a material impact on a blade. the short answer is: as long as it's stored correctly time should not be a factor.
You theoretically should be able to go years between hones at that rate.

Edge degradation is a very variable thing. Obviously the more you use a razor the shorter the lifespan of the edge. For me so many factors are involved like grind and hardness of the steel as well as the type of honing job put on the razor. Some very high grit synthetic edges might degrade faster as the edges are super sharp but may be fragile compared to some natural edges that seem to hold up much longer albeit less keen to begin with . Grind also comes into play somewhat, a heavier grind may last longer than a very thin shallow angle extra hollow, same thing with steel, harder steels may be a bit more difficult to make a great edge but once achieved will outlast a razor that is is softer in nature. I usually expect a few months at least on most razors and some of my harder ones like TI's or Friodurs can last seemingly forever with just stropping. There does come a point where you want that fresh edge feel again and you probably will take back to the hones probably before its time is due.

Originally Posted by hasstar

Ok men simple question. How long does a hone and sharpening job last on a razor that has very little use ( 2-3 ) times in a year?
Razors have been stored in a cloth sleeve , blade also oiled.
Thanks all..

My first razor I bought is a Dovo Best Quality, I honed it 8 years ago and rarely use it. When I do I just strop it and it's good to go. I've bought maybe 3 razors from antique stores that were still sharp enough to just need a good stropping. If cared for the edge will last a really long time

That's a question with no answer. Depending on the bevel and condition of the edge, it could last forever. I have picked up Genco's over 100 years old that with some minor honing on a 8k or 12 k and stropping and it was ready to go. If stored correctly, you could pick it up in 10 years, strop it and have a really good shave. If you aren't going to use it, I suggest a fine machine oil coat the blade and pins. Then put it in the cloth sleeve. I found sewing machine oil does an amazing job and is easy to remove.

Originally Posted by jkatzman

That's a question with no answer. Depending on the bevel and condition of the edge, it could last forever. I have picked up Genco's over 100 years old that with some minor honing on a 8k or 12 k and stropping and it was ready to go. If stored correctly, you could pick it up in 10 years, strop it and have a really good shave. If you aren't going to use it, I suggest a fine machine oil coat the blade and pins. Then put it in the cloth sleeve. I found sewing machine oil does an amazing job and is easy to remove.

+1
I've also had good luck with a super light gun oil like Barricade. I use that on any of my long term storage razors

The most important factor is the bevel. If it is set correctly, then you are 90% there. Also depends on the quality of the steel, the honing ability, and stropping. If you only use it 2-3 times a year and the previous were done correctly, it should be shave ready.