Quote Originally Posted by Ryan82 View Post
A disclaimer up front: I don't have access to a SEM or high power magnification, don't use trigonometry formulas to calculate bevel angles or have the time to conduct tightly controlled scientific experiments while shaving and honing. What I do have is well over 5 years experience using and maintaining straight razors. Here's a few observations from me:

1. I've found the best most comfortable shaves happen once the edge has "settled in", meaning after a few shaves and stropping on linen/leather only.

2. When you use pastes you're out of the realm of stropping and into the realm of honing. I respect Glen's experiments and opinion and I'm not calling the shaving comfort factor into question. But when this question comes up I do question the amount of metal being removed by using pastes every shave. If you use the same razor every day and strop on pastes 40 times every shave I guarantee you'll see some metal removed over 365 days. It might seem negligible but give it years or decades and the lifespan of that razor will be reduced.

3. With experience and proper stropping the use of paste daily becomes unnecessary. When I first started I read posts from senior members saying that they hadn't touched up a razor in months or even years. I flat out didn't believe that you could go more than a week without doing a paste or hone touch up. And now? I'm one of those guys that has several razors that haven't been touched up for years, they've been maintained with nothing else than linen/leather stropping and are still shaving close and comfortably. Yes it takes several years to get to this point and it happens gradually but it is possible.

When I first came on the scene the mantra here was LESS IS MORE, which is Lynn's saying and was previously quoted by Glen in this thread. But lately it seems that guys are starting to think the opposite is true, that More is Less maintenance. This might appear to be true in the short term, but by putting more wear and tear on your razor than necessary you're actually reducing the life of your blade while not improving your stropping skills....

I'm sorry if I come across as preachy as that's not my intent, just my 2 cents. But at the end of the day these are your razors guys, and if you feel what you're doing is the best then keep on keepin' on.
Those are great and valid observations. I am sure you are correct in that there will be some steel lost over the years but between my $70 dovo and my Gold Dollar that was....well.... A lot less,Hahaha, I am ok with purchasing new razors down the road. Especially since I only have 2. Less is more and I am sure the greats here along with yourself have very valid experience. I don't think anyone here is trying to offend or go against sound advice. I think people are just having fun experimenting. All of this can add to the knowledge base here too. Lastly, I don't think you are "preaching" but rather trying to offer your own experience and I, for one, appreciate it. Thanks.