Thread: Strop or Hone?

Hi CC, I've read the guide to shaving from the Library of Congress and have read and watched the Stroptober thread all useful for increasing the knowledge base.

I decided to get another Shave Ready Razor and have an ERN Crown & Sword on its way and I hope to have my first SRS this week.

If that goes ok then I'll get the Rodgers Honed and leave the AMA and Carrera for Honing practice when needed.

I think I'm going to buy a Standard Strop as well and not take the risk with the Vintage one I got. I'd hate to ruin the blade of my Razor on something that's not suitable.

Originally Posted by mapleleafalumnus

Definitely have a skilled professional hone it for you! And I mean a person experienced in honing straight razors, not knives. Think of it this way: honing makes the edge, stropping maintains the edge.
Several members here market their honing services in both the classifieds section and in the vendors section. Check them out!

OK, so I am skilled in both honing razors AND knives...I should be avoided?

Great advice. I have worked with knives for many years and consider myself QUITE skilled at modifying/profiling/sharpening/polishing/honing blades, but only recently did I get into razor honing and can tell you from my perspective that there are similarities, but there are enough differences to warrant INSISTING on a razor specialist.

Starting off with a WELL honed and shave ready razor is a must. Too many people try to learn with a factory edged razor or worse...and this endeavor is challenging enough without substandard equipment.

Well had my first proper full SRS Shave and I think even the Crown and Sword isn't shave ready! I tried the HHT and it didn't pass unless it was moved quickly.

It felt like I had to put too much pressure on it to cut properly. My face feels hot and the Alum block stung all over when applied. It's not even particularly smooth 😞

Oh well off to the sharpening services go a couple of Razors to allow for experimenting with different blades.

Both Steve Dempster and Neil Miller (invisible edge & strop shop respectively) will do an excellent job of honing your razors. While I haven't used their honing services I have bought restored razors from them both and they were definitely shave ready.

Definitely sending them off, I think I did ok with how it is now, but I think it could be more comfortable with a truly keen edged blade