Thread: straight razor, edge retention during shave

I am sorry if I offended. Honing a razor is much different than a knife. I have use a straight over 20 years and hone my own. Had to learn to transition from knives to razors. Find myself still learning still today.

oh you didn't offend me man, it could very well by my honing, or the honing of what I received. I'm open to interpretation. It just surprised me that hearing a razor I got from Larry was not honed properly. Honestly when I felt my first 1 of the 3 razors I got from him, I thought right away "I guess my honing is not so bad" because they came out almost the same, if not keener.
I sent him an email asking if its true that he does not hone his razors...
Overall though, compared to double and single bevels knives, I feel like razor honing is a bit more simple. The hardest part of knives is keeping the angle right, razors have a built in angle! The hard part with razors is of course knowing when the bevel is set, but also making the strokes very even, and getting the edge uniform.

Having owned Bokers, Austs, Dovo's, Genco's Ontario's, Livi's and more, I found each have their own personalities. Honing techniques for one doesn't work as well as for another brand. I use the circular, Murrey Carter and Axe honing on razors and some work better then others. Also the metal and grind may not be the best for your beard. Have you tried other brands? What is the grind and steel on your Dovo's? I have 3 Mastro Livi's and they all shave great but differently. Try another make that is professionally honed and see what happens. I purchased a modular strop coated with chromium oxide on leather and it works great for a quick touch up. 3-5 laps and your good to go for weeks.

What I'm about to suggest may seem counter intuitive but just strop after the 12K and skip all sprays and pastes. I've totally abandoned sprays and pastes because #1, I'm still new to honing and trying to cut down on variables and #2, stropping right after a finisher will tell you what that 12K and strop is capable of in and of them selves.

I don't think having a tough beard should mean that your razor's edge won't hold up for one 3 pass shave, I don't think that's right at all, whatever the reason might be that shouldn't be happening.

you know after reading the comment about the different styles of edges on the razors, I did my shave today with my vintage Zimmer razor, which is a ratler grind. The edge is much thicker than my dovos and I must say... the edge did in fact hold up a lot better.
I'm starting to think that perhaps the wear i'm feeling is normal for how aggressively I shave. I go for BBS almost all the time, and I have a coarse beard. Generally stropping on flax linen or webbing, followed by the SRD latigo brings it back, but rather frequently it needs chromium boost or even a fine hone. I guess I need to do more facial research.

PS: I loooove this SRD latigo strop. The prep side is about the same as a cheap guitar strap you would find at guitar center in feel, but man the leather is awesome. really smooth for latigo.