Maintaining edges myself

[mark3d]

Part of the appeal to me with straights is self-sufficiency (i.e. soap is the only consumable), so in that spirit I'd like to do my own blade touchups. I have 2 razors that are probably due a touchup, however I have 2 more razors on their way, which will buy me some time. A new linen/leather strop should help extend the time too (I currently only use the filly strop with CrOx touchups).

I am considering getting a finishing stone, e.g. Naniwa 12000, to give me a process such as:

12k -> CrOx -> linen -> leather

Would this be enough for me to keep the edges sharp, forever? (assuming no blade damage etc.)

I like the idea of getting into honing, but realistically will probably leave restores, damage repair etc. to the experts. Having said that, I am open to buying a 4k/8k or something in the future if i need to (or if i decide to get into honing).

thanks

.

 

[Leon]

I suppose that's a good setup to keep the edge sharp.
There's no need to have lower grits than that.

 

[mainaman]

If you have shave ready razors then your set up is fine. If the razors are not shave ready, you will need more hones.

 

[kadett]

If the blades have already been out to a honemeister, I'd say all you need to maintain them almost indefinitely is a good barber hone and strops.

 

[Luc]

If the blades have already been out to a honemeister, I'd say all you need to maintain them almost indefinitely is a good barber hone and strops.

That's what I have, barber hone.

One of my straight didn't feel as sharp, I tried the barber hone, the straight seems to be back to where it was (sharp).

As mentionned already, a finishing hone won't restore a dull edge.

 

[r0ckrat]

One other option would be a Coticule. This would alloow you to do a more in-depth honing if needed, as well as just a touch up on blades in need of such.

 

[richmondesi]

you don't really need anything more than a barber hone and strops to maintain an edge. If you think you want to have a full range of synthetics, the Naniwa 12K is a good choice to start by all accounts of members who use it (for my purposes, I wouldn't just get a synthetic finishing stone that was as expensive as that unless I planned on getting a progression). You could even get by with a Norton 8K if you were so inclined. If you would like the to have the versatility to do a little bit more than just touch up an edge, Coticules are a tremendous option...

The thing about this kind of situation is only you can really decide what works for your situation. I have the full set of Shaptons up to 30K and I use my coticule most of the time despite the fact that it takes significantly more strokes... I just like the edges the best (plus it's cool to take a dull razor from bevel setting through finish on the same stone )

 

[Kelly siefkas]

I used nothing but a barbers hone for years without a hitch.

 

[leighton]

short answer: yes.

 

[mark3d]

Thanks for the replies!

Some food for thought. Glad to hear I'm not being wildly unrealistic.