Thread: Can You Get A Straight Razor Too Sharp?

Originally Posted by bookdoctor

Is there a way to get a really good shave from a SR that would be easy and not so involved with all this work with different stones, different pastes, different methods of honing, films, glass, marbles. Does anyone have any simple ways of getting this back to basic's? What did our forefathers do when they didn't have access to all of this high end expensive garbage.

A barber's hone...

Originally Posted by bookdoctor

Is there a way to get a really good shave from a SR that would be easy and not so involved with all this work with different stones, different pastes, different methods of honing, films, glass, marbles. Does anyone have any simple ways of getting this back to basic's? What did our forefathers do when they didn't have access to all of this high end expensive garbage.

In ye olde days, you either lived someplace with really appropriate rocks close by, or you didn't. So if you were a warlord of the Belgae, a Thuringian king, or the emperor o' Japan, you sharpened with the one (singular) variety of rock you knew about. If you were, say, a hottentot, you shaved using a stick freshly plucked glowing from the fire.

Neither the Hottentot nor the Ottoman Emperor suffered from brain dazzle resulting from an excess of choices. You don't have to either.

Solve your problem this way. Go to the top ad on this page. Send that vendor an email requesting 1 razor, 1 rock, 1 strop, 1 brush, 15 pucks of soap all of the same variety, 15 bottles of aftershave, all the same variety and let the vendor know you'll take whatever he picks. Then elect never to read any threads in the 'equipment section, or click on any ads ever again. Problem fixed!

Originally Posted by bookdoctor

Is there a way to get a really good shave from a SR that would be easy and not so involved with all this work with different stones, different pastes, different methods of honing, films, glass, marbles. Does anyone have any simple ways of getting this back to basic's? What did our forefathers do when they didn't have access to all of this high end expensive garbage.

Well...no.
I guess first define what is too much work for you. You can always send your razors out.
Typically; pastes/ sprays/ compounds are used to freshen up an edge. Forefathers used barbers hones. Some used abrasives on linen strops like we do today. I've heard of chalk on a strop.

Film/ stones are just two different tools to do the same job. It's a preference or whatever you may have.

If you are honing a blade from the ground up it's going to take some work and time. As you get better the time shortens but still takes time. There are some very minimalist ways to do this. Cheapest I would think is film, however that's 4 different steps or grits. Next to that could be setting a bevel and working through a progression of pastes.
The least amount of steps, by steps I mean different grits to go through, is probably the norton 4/8k. Only two grits, can get a nice shaving edge. But it's probably the most time consuming.
So it depends on what you're after.
Several factors; time, portability, ease of use, cost.

Originally Posted by bookdoctor

Is there a way to get a really good shave from a SR that would be easy and not so involved with all this work with different stones, different pastes, different methods of honing, films, glass, marbles. Does anyone have any simple ways of getting this back to basic's? What did our forefathers do when they didn't have access to all of this high end expensive garbage.

They went to the local barber once a week and paid for a shave.

Originally Posted by bookdoctor

Is there a way to get a really good shave from a SR that would be easy and not so involved with all this work with different stones, different pastes, different methods of honing, films, glass, marbles. Does anyone have any simple ways of getting this back to basic's? What did our forefathers do when they didn't have access to all of this high end expensive garbage.

My thought is that if you want something that is simple, uncomplicated, easy, etc, why shave with SR in the first place? All that stuff is part and parcel of the game. Send it off to a pro if you don't want to do it yourself, you'll get the results with none of the effort and a fraction of the cost.

I disagree. I started using straight razors about 5 years before finding SRP. I got about 10 old razors (I could have gotten by with less), two barber hones, and a strop to start straight shaving. I had been using a brush and soap for lather for about 20 years already. That was all I needed and all I used.

It was "simple, uncomplicated, and easy."

SRP made it complicated (by my own choice) and a lot more fun.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I disagree. I started using straight razors about 5 years before finding SRP. I got about 10 old razors (I could have gotten by with less), two barber hones, and a strop to start straight shaving. I had been using a brush and soap for lather for about 20 years already. That was all I needed and all I used.

It was "simple, uncomplicated, and easy."

SRP made it complicated (by my own choice) and a lot more fun.

I love stories like this. You come here and find out what else you "need". Nah, you get things because you want them. They're fun. For me, it's the challenge of learning a new stone or method.

For my own test purposes, I have created a bevel on a 1K and shaved with it. Done the same and went to pastes, decent shave. I've shaved off my 3k. It was just a personal test for me and opened my eyes that if I had to I could get by with less.

Utopian, did you set the bevels on your b.hones? If so, just a longer process?

Recently a member sent me a couple of razors to check out. He just started honing. I've read about it here, but have not tried it. one he did I couldn't say a thing about. He used only norton 4/8k.. These were antique store finds, so likely needed some work, too.

So, yeah...you've got real life proof from a member above that you can survive off less. Barbers hones are cheap, too.

To the OP...are you wanting to hone your own razors? Are you wanting to save money or steps or `both? If you're looking to save money, a barber's hone or lapping film is cheap. But, like I stated earlier, film is step-lengthy. If you'd like to try it, I'll send you a set of the film. This will last you a while and will hone up your razors, no problem. If you'd prefer less materials, maybe that's not the way to go. if you want a set to try, let me know. I'll send it to you. no charge. just give you something to play with. you may hate them, you may love them. At least you'll know.

Yes, I absolutely love the opportunity to play with, and experiment with, the wide variety of hones and methods I've discovered after joining here.

Yes, I set the bevels (such as they sadly were back then) and did all of the honing with a Swaty and a Carborundum 102. It took hours because I never thought to use any significant pressure. Now I can get a decent full hollow razor shave ready (ish) in about 10 minutes on a Swaty.

Looks like I stirred up a hornets nest here, all of your reply's are great and I must agree with them. I am a dedicated SR shaver like most of you and have tried most ways of honing a razor. I should have been born 100 years ago where most shavers make most of their razors and found most of there stones for sharpening and probably got pretty bad shaves. We are very fortunate to live in a time where shaving items are in plentiful supply. My point was not to criticize but to find a way to take a shortcut to accomplish razor honing, which there is none. Either you must spend the money to do it right or like a reply stated, send it out. I for one am so independent that I could never send anything out as I was taught if you want it done rite you do it yourself. I will keep spending money on shaving supplies just like the rest of you, because I enjoy it so much. Happy shaving all

I got by fine for a few years with 2 razors (one new, one vintage), a strop, a Norton 4/8k, a brush, and some Bigelow cream. Kept them sharp until I screwed them up, had Lynn fix them, then got good enough to get good shaves from them myself. Lapped the hone with wet/dry paper. No fuss, great shaves (by my standards), and a fine tall feeling of accomplishment.