Thread: My one razor month or more

I'd like some input into my plan to shave with one razor exclusively for a month. Since I'm contributing to stroptober I figured it would be good to do this at the same time to see how long I would be able to keep the edge shave sharp by stropping alone. I honestly don't know if its a week or two or more because I am guilty of RAD and have around a dozen razors shave sharp. So last weekend I touched up my Dorko 7/8 (i really like this razor) and am going to shave with it exclusively for the month of october. If anything, I will become really familiar with it and get a feel for when it needs touching up on a hone or paste... So how long have you guys kept a razor going with just stropping on leather?

I have been shaving with the same razor for around 7 months or so (Dovo Master's), I do have 5 others, all shave ready, but just got into the habit of leaving the Dovo in the bathroom. I do three passes nearly every day, sometimes skip one day a week when I'm not working. Seems to be good for a couple of months stropping just on leather.

I would add that the Master's is a stainless blade, I do only use plain leather, no fabric and do around 100 laps before a shave and 10 or so when finished. I do also put what I consider to be a fair amount of pressure (very subjective) on when I strop.

I do hone before I feel any pulling, it sort of gets to the point that I can't believe it's still shaving OK and just decide to hone, (I have been very lucky with the honing, it just seems to work for me so far, but to be fair all of my razors were bought new and professionally honed before I got them, so are nice and straight and have bevels already set)

I am on a one a week bent right now. But a couple of weeks ago, I started using a vintage blade that I so enjoyed that I am just beginning to creep past week two. So far so good (other than the rust that's showing up from leaving it in the Den), but I can definitely feel the difference today vs two weeks ago. I am going to venture a guess that I would want to home after three weeks or so of dedicated shaving.

I am sure I could go longer... but why lol? I love running my blades over my rocks.

Interesting thread. I recently set my personal one razor record - 20 days - when I was trying to master a Feather non-folding clone (CJB) for a week and then taking it on a trip.
No issues with the blade since I could change it, but it was an eye opening experience that made me want to try it with a "Regular" SR. Since my last trip I've been shaving with one Razor, a Robert Williams Purist, every day. I've just learned that for me when I try something off the reservation (Feather & Purist are not like any of my "conventional SRs") I'm better off using it every day until I'm comfortable with it.
Do either of you use or plan to use anything to "refresh" the edge? (Pasted Strop of some kind)

My plan is to just use leather to see how long I can go.

I have used my TI Damascus for years before it needed much of anything but it's an unusual razor.

Just keep in mind if you use the same razor day in and day out often times as it starts to deteriorate you aren't aware because it does so very gradually so it can start giving crummy shaves before you realize it. When you switch to another razor then you realize what's going on. Of course some razors seem to deteriorate very fast so you know but for many it's a very slow process.

Originally Posted by Scookum

I'd like some input into my plan to shave with one razor exclusively for a month. Since I'm contributing to stroptober I figured it would be good to do this at the same time to see how long I would be able to keep the edge shave sharp by stropping alone. I honestly don't know if its a week or two or more because I am guilty of RAD and have around a dozen razors shave sharp. So last weekend I touched up my Dorko 7/8 (i really like this razor) and am going to shave with it exclusively for the month of october. If anything, I will become really familiar with it and get a feel for when it needs touching up on a hone or paste... So how long have you guys kept a razor going with just stropping on leather?

What a great topic. I am really interested in your final results.

My Dovo Ivory Micarta, 5/8 is just hitting the point where it could use a hone. It's be running on just canvas/leather for about six or seven months now.

I'm only shaving about three times a week though and it's a stainless, not a carbon steel.

After I get the Crown I'm restoring repinned and in shave ready condition I may join you in this trial.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Just keep in mind if you use the same razor day in and day out often times as it starts to deteriorate you aren't aware because it does so very gradually so it can start giving crummy shaves before you realize it. When you switch to another razor then you realize what's going on. Of course some razors seem to deteriorate very fast so you know but for many it's a very slow process.

Would this be a case for a once a week "check shave" with an alternate razor?
Or do we just keep driving until we go off the cliff?

I don't have much of a choice...not going to put my RW Purist in the checked luggage to be part of the TSA supplemental income fund & grab-bag.
So I get to return to the very known quantity of a Feather Pro when I hit the road.

I have a Geo Wostenholm that I have shaved with everyday for 40 + shaves useing just linen and leather. My suggestion if you reach a point where you feel that it needs a touch up on a hone or paste. Do an extra stropping session first I found that to bring the edge back alot of the time.