Straight question

[kosby]

I don't know anything about straights but have wanted to ask how do you sharpen them and how often is it required if you shave daily and what are the additional requirements of maintenance? I remember razor straps when I was a kid and have a straight that belonged to my granddad but it's not sharp enough to cut butter.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't know anything about straights but have wanted to ask how do you sharpen them and how often is it required if you shave daily and what are the additional requirements of maintenance? I remember razor straps when I was a kid and have a straight that belonged to my granddad but it's not sharp enough to cut butter.

First off, if you have never sharpened or shaved with a straight razor before then send your first one out to be done by a professional. Do not attempt to hone up an old razor yourself and then shave with it if it is your first.

Secondly, there are a number of ways you can sharpen a razor depending on how much work needs to be done and what your personal preference is. For touch ups or keeping a razor sharp you really have three choices: Pasted strops (made of leather, fabric, or balsa) finishing hones (these can either be synthetic hones like a naniwa 12k or a natural hone like a coticule) or barber's hones. Any of these methods should be used as soon as a razor starts to show signs of dulling. As for heavier work, you really need either lower grit synthetics (a norton 4k/8k is a good start) or a coticule with slurry (not recommended for beginners.) There are many different ways that these sharpening tools can be used and the best way to find out how is to read and watch the various videos on the internet demonstrating methods for whichever one you decide to use.

And finally, as to how often honing needs to be done: that really depends on your beard, how many passes you do, if you rotate razors or not and if so how many different razors you use, and how you choose to refresh the edges. Tougher facial hair and more passes will obviously wear a razor edge out faster, whilst rotating between two or more razors will help you go longer between honing sessions. Regular usage of a pasted strop, like the one sold at whippeddog.com, can keep a razor shave ready for months. Of course, the steel of the razor itself will also have a lot to do with how long it holds an edge, some razors are made of tougher (and just plain better) metal than others.

For now, if this is your first attempt at learning how to use a straight razor, I recommend getting your granddad's razor sharpened by a professional (if it's in good enough condition that is, if you are unsure about that then post pictures on here and I'm sure the members will tell you if it is restorable or not) and get a second shave ready razor and strop kit from whippeddog. For about $50 you will get a razor and everything you need to keep it in shaving condition for a long time.

Good luck!