Where do I start. At what point

[Jeroenvanarkel]

Where do I start?

I have 5 straight razors. 3xDovo 2xTI. But I feel they need a revamp. I have sharpened them and used them but feel there needs to be done some sharpening. But from which level do I start? I have naniwa 1000, 2000, 3000, 5000, 8000, 10000 and 12000

But starting on 8k might be to high and 1000 to low. What is general the 6 month way of working?

 

[Christian1212]

Wouldn't stress it too much. Edges wear differently for everyone. I think the 3k stone is a good starting point. Let your results from that determine where you go next

 

[Doc226]

When I get a razor for honing, I kill the edge on the side of the hone, if the razor was shaving prior to me getting, a Shapton glass 4K is enough to get the bevel set in about 20-30 strokes. From there you can easily move up your honing progression.

Why do I kill the edge? I like to know the new bevel set is "mine", I have seen many razors with multiple levels of bevels.

IMO best test for a bevel set is the cherry tomato. Use it to check every mm of bevel, the blade should cut the tomato with minimal pressure and only a slice slice motion.

 

[Legion]

If you have to ask, kill the edge and start again with a 1k and a sharpie. Get that edge to pop arm hair and the rest is paint by numbers easy.

 

[Gamma]

There is no formula or recipe. Everything depends on the exact state of the existing edge.

The razors are 6 months old.
Who honed them before you received them?

You wrote that you sharpened them, when did you do that?
What exactly was your process? What was the result?

If you bought a razor, new, and honed, and it shaved, but then the edge wore out on you, then it's not uncommon to be able to refresh that edge with a 12k stone.
But if that edge was worn past the 'refresh' point, then it needs to see a lower grit first.

Stones should be flattened correctly.

Honing requires skill, practice.
Do a lot of reading about honing, watch a ton of videos.
learn about bevel setting. The bevel is the edge. No bevel means no edge.


I'd pick one razor and work on it till it shaves well, then do the rest.
Better yet, get a practice razor to beat up on to avoid unnecessary wear on nicer razors.