Thread: What's your toughest razor to maintain?

Originally Posted by Sticky

My wedges usually take more time to put the first shaving edge on them. I don't think it's any harder to do.

For maintenance, I think the wedges are easier.

My toughest to maintain is an unbranded "made in USA", 7/8", 1/4 hollow.

Good point, I unintentionally went off-topic thinking "hardest to hone" rather than "hardest to maintain". Different questions.

For me, ease of maintenance boils down to how good an edge I got in the first place when initially honing the razor. I seem to get my best edges on 6/8 - 8/8 full hollows. On 5/8 full hollows I get good edges, but they don't last as long or maintain as easily because I tend to unconsciously use more pressure on smaller razors, dulling them more quickly. On wedges, I don't think my edges last long because I'm probably just not able to get them as sharp to start with.

I have an 8/8ths Friodur that seems to get sharper every time I shave with and strop it, it's just fierce. About the same with my Filarmonica #14, and a Gold Bug I have in 7/8s. The Gold Bug is paper thin and precise, the Filly is a big, smiling, friendly monster. So for me, a wide hollow ground blade seems the common factor in being easiest to maintain. The smaller(?) hollow ground I have that is an exception is a Kinfolks Blue Steel Special in 11/16ths, which responds to stropping beautifully. That Kinfolks also took maybe the best edge I've ever gotten to start with, which I imagine helps out a lot.

"[QUOTE=FatboySlim;419055]Good point, I unintentionally went off-topic thinking "hardest to hone" rather than "hardest to maintain". Different questions.

For me, ease of maintenance boils down to how good an edge I got in the first place when initially honing the razor. I seem to get my best edges on 6/8 - 8/8 full hollows. On 5/8 full hollows I get good edges, but they don't last as long or maintain as easily because I tend to unconsciously use more pressure on smaller razors, dulling them more quickly. On wedges, I don't think my edges last long because I'm probably just not able to get them as sharp to start with. "



One reason that wedges may not hold up for some may also be the temptation of plowing through the beard verses using better techniques that are used with lighter blades. When I first started shaving I found that wedges got through my wiry beard easier as my technique was not so developed. i have learned better teqnique with my smaller wedges and found they hold there edge as good as any other razor more or less.
Mike

All about the same to me; but then, they are all vintage carbon steel blades.

Sheffield wedges get my vote too. Great thread, by the way. Lots to think about.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

In my very humble opinion the difficulty of honing is directly proportionate to the prior users honing ability

I think that Lynn makes a valid point when he talks about honing wedges, he has always said first you have to work around all the previous bevels down to a new even one....

I have honed a couple of old heavy wedges that had little to no hone wear and they were almost as easy as any hollow ground razor...

The easiest razors to hone and maintain IMHO are undamaged DD's, sorry but consistency counts in my book

I would say the closer to NOS or New the razor is, the easier it will be to hone and maintain.. Since you will be setting the bevel and maintaining that same bevel....

OK thats 2 pennies worth


Hmmmmmm just re-read my own post, and boy can you tell I hone a ton of restored razors hehehe add that grain of salt to my opinion

Har Har my friend. Obviously you have never honed a TI Damascus.

In general I agree with you but there are a handfull of razors that really are difficult.

Thanks to everybody for your input - I'll be going back to look at my wedges with a different eye, and taking a new look at my shaving technique as well.

Vive le SRP!

goshawk

I have a Dovo Carbon Steel that is real easy to maintain. 10 strokes on the 8000 grit will usually bring it back to life.

I could not maintain or hone my Wapi for anything.

Originally Posted by scruffy

I have a Dovo Carbon Steel that is real easy to maintain. 10 strokes on the 8000 grit will usually bring it back to life.

I could not maintain or hone my Wapi for anything.

Wapi's are genrally easy to hone unless they're warped , have you tried using a rock n roll stroke aka rolling X pattern - have a search about for that .. Heavyduty ( i think ) did a nice vid demo on the stroke somewhere .. tbh I can do it but I've not mastered it as yet
hope it works for ya

Cheers Garry

Far and away, hands down the hardest razor to maintain is a custom that was made for me by AaronX. The scales are lovely and were made by him, but the blade is very corroded and will not find a good edge. Bart was the kind gentleman who did what he could with it but already it is beginning to wear down again :'( I may end up selling it to any honemeister that is up for the challenge or trading it for something easier to maintain.

Seriously guys, this one is sooo difficult to handle.

Edit: Have just found out Bart has been Banned Would somebody please let me know why (in a PM if needs be)? I would have liked to offer him first dibs on the razor as a free gift because of his kindness but apparently thats not possible now. Any reason?

Originally Posted by sidneykidney

Far and away, hands down the hardest razor to maintain is a custom that was made for me by AaronX. The scales are lovely and were made by him, but the blade is very corroded and will not find a good edge. Bart was the kind gentleman who did what he could with it but already it is beginning to wear down again :'( I may end up selling it to any honemeister that is up for the challenge or trading it for something easier to maintain.

Seriously guys, this one is sooo difficult to handle.

Edit: Have just found out Bart has been Banned Would somebody please let me know why (in a PM if needs be)? I would have liked to offer him first dibs on the razor as a free gift because of his kindness but apparently thats not possible now. Any reason?

Next time yir hairy erse is over on the mainland let me know and we'll see if we can get an edge on it -- you know I don't claim to be a honemiester but I've sharpened most of my razors to a very happy state

greetings from 'oer the clyde ... Gee