Do I have to Hone?

[Tarkington]

I'm seriously considering buying my first straight razor.... DOVO Best quality 5/8... the basic kit from VintageBlades with the strop...but I have one important question.

Do I have to buy a waterstone and hone it? It comes 'shave-ready', and I'm keen to believe the edge will be satisfactory... so will the regular stropping keep it good for the long run? If not... how long until I need to get it honed? I anticipate shaving every other day.

I can't seem to get a good answer on this... most information is focused on which stones to buy and their grit....but I'm assuming those are for razors that need restored or have not been given a shave-ready edge. Your answers/opinions are appreciated.

 

[noahpictures]

No you don't have to get a hone now. You can maintain an edge for a long time with proper stropping. The problem is that most beginners ruin their edges quicker due to bad form during the shave and stropping. Once the razor arrives shave with it for a while and if you like shaving with a straight then get a coticule. That's all you need, IMO.

 

[ladykate]

I'm not a coticule fan but I agree with noahpictures in principle. I wouldn't buy a coticule as my first stone but YMMV.

To answer your primary question, "Do I have to buy a waterstone and hone it?". No (that is the direct answer you were looking for, I believe). However, you will likely want to do so (noah's answer and mine). Get a whippeddog kit and get the Dovo. You can practice on the kit razor and get good and keep your Dovo running smoothly.

 

[shamelin]

I've been shaving with straights for about 3 months now. I got a honemeister to give me an edge and haven't needed to re-hone yet. You may want to consider buying CrOx on balsa for touch ups; we all start off with poor stropping technique and unless you're very careful or just a straight shave savant, you'll roll the edge at some point. I've touched up the edge up a time or two with CrOx and it brings it right back to life.

 

[jpcwon]

Just don't do what I did & try to teach yourself how to hone and shave with a straight at the same time...it's too much to learn at once IMHO...

 

[ANeat]

Just don't do what I did & try to teach yourself how to hone and shave with a straight at the same time...it's too much to learn at once IMHO...

That worked for me You get to learn what a bad sharpening job feels like right off the bat.....

Actually my first few were pretty good, (marginally acceptable) but then I got cocky, or ran out of luck Got a good taste of what tugging and eye watering dull feels like

 

[Doc226]

Do you have to? No, but most will.

You can always send out your razors when needed and have them back in a few days. With good stropping and shaving technique you should be good for some time.

 

[American1911]

I bought a shave ready SR from a reputable company and when I received the razor all it needed was strapping. However, I soon felt that the edge could be better so I bought a 3000 grit Chosera, 5000 grit Shapton, 12000 grit Naniwa Super Stone, Jnat Ozuku and a block of balsa wood (12x3x3) with chromium oxide paste and finally a DMT flattening plate. All stones and strops were 3" wide so all I had to do is hone in a straight path. No need for the easy to destroy your razor X pattern, that does need to be done by an expert. Result HHT 5+. Don't fear honing (other than the coast, Google is your friend).

 

[Luc]

No you don't have to. The edge would normally stay shave ready for 15-20 shaves. It depends how you strop in between, what you use to strop your edge, if you kill the edge or not due to technique and finally, how do you shave (1 pass shave versus 3 pass shaves are not the same end result, you cover more whiskers with 3 passes).

 

[Obiwan]

Another vote for no. Many of us started honing for function and it quickly explodes into another hobby in itself. Not needed, but many of us say "do I get to hone"

 

[Kentos]

It's like saying do I need to pump my own gas if I drive a car. Unless you live somewhere like Jersey, you will save money in the long run doing your own. Now it is easier to learn to pump gas than hone, but it isn't rocket science either. IMO you will need to learn eventually if you stick with straight shaving

 

[shakin_jake]

No need for the easy to destroy your razor X pattern, that does need to be done by an expert.

~~~most of my hones are 40mm in width and I do x strokes with them each outing. I've been honing my own razors for two years now and I most certainly do not count myself as an expert yet myself and many others easily, successfully hone with the narrow stones, and have not destroyed any razors. I respectfully deplore your assertion that doing x strokes will destroy a razor. You are casting aspersions on a relatively benign task, thus providing false impressions to the uninitiated



@ the OP...where you queried-

so will the regular stropping keep it good for the long run? If not... how long until I need to get it honed? I anticipate shaving every other day.



~~~if you shave every other day, one of these days your razor will need more than stropping to keep it 'shave ready'. May I suggest you purchase an economical *narrow* coticule, or coticule bout and slurry stone (well under a $100 investment) and become one with it's inherent goodness...

here's your best guide on how to use the coti for razor sharpening, including <gasp> x stroke honing-

http://www.coticule.be/unicot.html

http://www.coticule.be/strokes.html



Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

 

[Tarkington]

Thanks all for the info. I like the idea of picking up something cheap to practice upon and keeping my noob hands away from the daily shaver until I get acceptable results.

 

[RADisorder]

I recently picked up a 6/8 best quality. I've got another from whippeddog as well, but I'm new to this and also considering the honing question. You may want to search the lapping film threads. I ordered a set for less than 6 bucks shipped from a B&B member and just need a flat surface to try it out now. I'm considering other options as well, like a dmt lapping plate and a finishing stone. I just like the idea of being able to tune the feel of the razor to my own preference - although I don't want to sink too much money into honing right away.

 

[shakin_jake]

I recently picked up a 6/8 best quality. I've got another from whippeddog as well, but I'm new to this and also considering the honing question. You may want to search the lapping film threads. I ordered a set for less than 6 bucks shipped from a B&B member and just need a flat surface to try it out now. I'm considering other options as well, like a dmt lapping plate and a finishing stone. I just like the idea of being able to tune the feel of the razor to my own preference - although I don't want to sink too much money into honing right away.

~~~~good luck with that



Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

 

[Thomas Martin]

Yes. You need to hone. Only doc has the eternal edge.