Need some general information please

jrp · Jan 25, 2010

Just got my first straight razor, so I could detail myself up a bit.
So how would I clean it after a shave? How often do I strop it? How many times do I slide the blade on the strop? How often should I get it honed?
I will not be honing it, I will most likely be sending it away "depending on how often it needs to be honed"

I just need some general knowledge on how to take care of it.
I am "NOT" a shave freak or anything, I am most likely not going to shave my whole face with it, but use it just to give me outlines and clean myself up at parts.

Thanks!

Luc · Jan 25, 2010

jrp said:
Just got my first straight razor, so I could detail myself up a bit.
So how would I clean it after a shave? How often do I strop it? How many times do I slide the blade on the strop? How often should I get it honed?
I will not be honing it, I will most likely be sending it away "depending on how often it needs to be honed"

I just need some general knowledge on how to take care of it.
I am "NOT" a shave freak or anything, I am most likely not going to shave my whole face with it, but use it just to give me outlines and clean myself up at parts.

Thanks!

All right

1-I clean the blade after I shave, make sure the blade is dry and clean from any lather. I rinse the razor, shake it in the shower (I hold the blade between by thumb/index and scales between my index and middle finger), then dry it with a towel.

2-When to strop? Before every shave.

3-How many laps? A lap is defined by the blade sliding on the strop, flip and slide back. That's one lap. I have a canvas strop and I usualy do 60 laps. I then do 60 laps on leather. This might be a bit overkill... But the leather bit, essential.

4-How often to hone? Mmm, I read that a straight should be good for an average of 20 shaves. However, your stropping technique, how many passes you do, how you maintain the razor will make it vary.

azmark · Jan 25, 2010

Luc said:
All right

1-I clean the blade after I shave, make sure the blade is dry and clean from any lather. I rinse the razor, shake it in the shower (I hold the blade between by thumb/index and scales between my index and middle finger), then dry it with a towel.

2-When to strop? Before every shave.

3-How many laps? A lap is defined by the blade sliding on the strop, flip and slide back. That's one lap. I have a canvas strop and I usualy do 60 laps. I then do 60 laps on leather. This might be a bit overkill... But the leather bit, essential.

4-How often to hone? Mmm, I read that a straight should be good for an average of 20 shaves. However, your stropping technique, how many passes you do, how you maintain the razor will make it vary.

+1

Take it from Luc, he's come a long way from reading his stories and has passed down his wisdomness :thumbup:

To add to #2
As a newb, the more passes the better. Since you're learning, you may only actually strop correctly 50% of the time if you're lucky. You can't over strop but you sure can strop enough to increase your chances and nicking your strop. So practice and practice some more. I feel very comfortable stropping but I think it was from practicing with a butter knife to get the "feel."

#3
Excellent point. Depending on your maintenance and your stropping technique will depend on how often and how much honing you need to do. The blade quality plays a role too. But if you have good steel, good technique, you should not have to touch stones for many months. Just a touch up on some chromox every so often.

Remember less is enough with stones IMO

SliceOfLife · Jan 25, 2010

1# Same as luc approximately.

2# Same

3# I tend to do 20 - 30 canvas and then 40-50 leather. At both of these stages I notice a change in the draw. I usually do 5 or 6 more strokes once I notice the change to be sure.

4# I have never had to rehone.... of course I wind up doing it every few shaves because I get new stones and want to test them against a baseline (That razor off 8k and/or that razor off my Jnat usually).

LaughingAtFate · Jan 25, 2010

I'd add the suggestion of stropping after every shave also, just ten or twenty passes, Just to make sure that the razor is dry and free of soap scum on the edge

Of course, extra practice on the razor stropping is always a bonus

leighton · Jan 26, 2010

Its a steel tool. It wants to rust. You can't give it the opportunity. Keep it dry and away from moisture.

Other than that, it is a tool. Just be good to it, don't treat it badly, keep it clean, don't drop it... basic stuff.