Thread: How many shaves between hones

Thank you gentlemen who have replied so far! Geofatboy mentions a couple of times that he re-hones every 6 or 7 shaves. That seemed excessive to me, but what do I know since this is all new to me. Your answers make more sense!


Jim

Originally Posted by jgthomas11

Geofatboy mentions a couple of times that he re-hones every 6 or 7 shaves. That seemed excessive to me, but what do I know since this is all new to me.

I don't know Geofatboy socially (just from his videos), but he seems to be more of a DE guy. You have to have years or decades of dedicated experience with a straight before you get 6 months-year use before a touchup. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Originally Posted by Theseus

Most of mine are in the 15-30 shave range before needing touched up. I have one particular razor though(J. Wostenholm, Sheffield)that needs touched up after about 7 shaves. Really soft steel but shaves fantastically.

I seem to be accumulating a lot of Geo. Wostenholm & Sons razors - do you have any history with them? And how old is the J. Wostenholm? Thx.

Originally Posted by jgthomas11

Thank you gentlemen who have replied so far! Geofatboy mentions a couple of times that he re-hones every 6 or 7 shaves. That seemed excessive to me, but what do I know since this is all new to me. Your answers make more sense!

Touch up every 6-7 shaves is ok, ie few strokes on a finisher.

Rehone at same time interval, ie bevel set from scratch, something's really wrong.

At the other end of the spectrum it's said a japanese barber shaved 1000 customers with an Iwasaki using just linen & leather.
If you want an average add 6 + 1000 & divide by 2

Just my tuppence worth- as a newbie I have managed 20 shaves on my carbon steel Dovo ( I understand stainless last longer ) just with stopping before each shave, I'm hoping to slowly extend that as my techniques improve, I have just rehoned it myself, not really a hassle just need a hone stone, I'm also hoping the stainless razor lasts a little longer.
Oddly I did not want to get involved in honing but having just done it, it is a good feeling to have done it and self reliant.
Skip the shavettes! Get a straight, it's great!

Another version;

I currently have 3 in the rotation. Did the bevel / 4k-8k-12k in late Jan or thereabouts. Shave 3-4 X week, with 40 linen / 60 leather after. I've hit the CrOx maybe twice since Jan. Haven't needed anything else.

Far be it for me to deny anyone their "thing", but it's entirely possible to avoid all but the most basic maintenance for a considerable amount of time.


Not much fun, but possible.

I hone only when my strop just won't get the job done, that "when" is dictated by how my face feels through the stroke -v- hair removed. The duration of time in between honing is subjective, am I lathering WELL prior? How were my preps? Did I strop well? Am I pressuring through a stroke? (Distracted shaving) Times between? 30 to 60 days "average", sometimes longer. Excessive honing really is counter productive and shortens the life of your razor. Many have expressed a minimalist approach to honing, I believe it to be good advice.

I want you to consider something though as you ponder on your own question, many people who begin using a straight razor who also take up a hone will find themselves using that hone way too often, and, excessively(Passes). If you feel the need to sharpen your razor, practice stropping. You'll be glad you did as you develop the muscle memory in stropping, you'll become faster and efficient over time.

As to honing, when the razor has become useless, hone. That is "when" or "how often".

how long between honing will depend on a few things. As you start out it will be more often until you have mastered the art of shaving with a straight. bad stropping, poor shave angle or presure can dull the edge.
Also some razors hold a edge better than others.

I think this depends on too many factors and it is pretty hard to give an exact measure for that. Not all the razors are the same: their ability to hold a good edge depends on the material used for their construction. Not all the steel is the same, of course.
Moreover, not all beards are the same, as the "hardness" of hair also counts. It is said a beard hair is as tough as copper wire. Just imagine cutting a copper wire with a razor: I guess no one here would do that, however they say it takes the same amount of strength to to that.
Then we should also consider how the blade was honed and how the blade is used, including shaving angle.
My personal experience does not give me an exact measure for that: a Henckel's Friodur can hold an edge for a truly longer time than, like to say, a Dovo 101.

Again, thanks to everyone for their response! I was wondering whether to take my SR shaving to the next level and invest in a real SR. After your input I have decided and now have one on order.


Jim