does the edge "wear down"

[brewer]

just a question that Came to mind yesterday.

I have a few straight razors that I use mostly during the weekends and holidays when i can make the time to use one.
I have 3 older ones that I picked up at flea markets and one new model my wife gave me as a birthday gift a few months back.
The two I most use are my recent dovo carre and an older tennis which usually performs great.

I've given both a touch up with green and red paste around the same time (my new one only with red i believe) and both came out shaving like new.

A few shaves down the road however my newer razor is still going a charm while the tennis is feeling that it needs to be given another touch up.
Can any one tell me if this is due to age or use and at what point would it be wise to actually hone the razor with a stone.
I haven't honed one before but it doesn't seem like rocket science either but a coticule is not in the coming months budget so some info would be thankful

 

[Slash McCoy]

Film is cheap and easy to learn and gives scary sharp edges early in your learning curve. A Coti is a lot of fun. A Nani 12k is a good finisher. But I think you need film.

Different razors are different. Duh I can't believe I said that. But it is true. Don't be disappointed when one razor out performs another in some aspect. But it could also have something to do with your technique or the geometry of the edge. FWIW I hit the pasted balsa after every shave. I am currently using .1u diamond paste. I haven't seen one of my blades need re honing in a long time.

Make sure you aren't letting the shoulder of the razor ride up on the balsa.

You could have a bit of a fin edge. The cure is to go back about halfway up your honing progression and rehone. Keep the pressure light. But first drag the edge over a bottle lightly. You can also strop on linen about 30 laps with the spine slightly elevated to roll off any fin. Either way you get rid of it and hone on like a 4k or maybe 5u film until you got your edge back and then run your progression to the finish. Ta da. No more fin. Fresh edge.

 

[hillbilly]

Film is cheap and easy to learn and gives scary sharp edges early in your learning curve. A Coti is a lot of fun. A Nani 12k is a good finisher. But I think you need film.

Different razors are different. Duh I can't believe I said that. But it is true. Don't be disappointed when one razor out performs another in some aspect. But it could also have something to do with your technique or the geometry of the edge. FWIW I hit the pasted balsa after every shave. I am currently using .1u diamond paste. I haven't seen one of my blades need re honing in a long time.

Make sure you aren't letting the shoulder of the razor ride up on the balsa.

You could have a bit of a fin edge. The cure is to go back about halfway up your honing progression and rehone. Keep the pressure light. But first drag the edge over a bottle lightly. You can also strop on linen about 30 laps with the spine slightly elevated to roll off any fin. Either way you get rid of it and hone on like a 4k or maybe 5u film until you got your edge back and then run your progression to the finish. Ta da. No more fin. Fresh edge.

+1 Slash you are quick with good advice. Brewer With the amount of work you plan to do(upkeep on a few razors) film is a good deal for you. I got a sample pack of film from a member and a granite tile from Home Depot. For a quick touch up on a razor you cant go wrong. I like my razors scary wicked sharp and you can get that very fast and foolproof with film. Not messy, no lapping and user friendly.