A few sharpening Qs

[Johnny Boy]

A few questions involving a straight razor, stropping, and the sharp maker.

I'm planning on getting a straight razor shaving package with strop included. Not sure which one but, a DOVO more than likely. Already on order is the sharpmaker with ultra fine stones and diamond hones.

OK first question is, does anyone do any stropping of their knife blades? Is it worth it?

Second question. After doing a little research I've discovered that straight razors out of the factory no matter how sharp should be honed before use. I'm wondering if I should attempt to hone it myself with the help of the sharpmaker or if I should have it done professionally. The main reason I ask is because the people that are saying that the razor needs to be honed conveniently sell, hone and very much recommend themselves. As I'm sure you can tell I have no idea so any insight would be appreciated.

[spoonrobot]

I don't think the SM hones are going to be fine enough for a straight razor. Face shaving and arm/leg hair shaving are worlds apart. I would think a strop would be the way to go for a straight razor.

My Stretch 2 get's stropped in lieu of touching up with the SM and it gives a significantly different edge finish. It's much more smooth and polished and will shave face hair with a little grabbing, not good enough for a full shave but it's fairly close.

One of the reasons you want to strop a straight razor is to remove any corrosion, you can even strop a disposable blade and see a noticeable difference. The Razor section over at Bladeforums is an absolute treasure of knowledge, I'd pop over there as well.

[Johnny Boy]

Thanks man. I will definitely check it out.

[swanseajack]

Hi. I suggest you head over to www.straightrazorplace.com BEFORE you do anything with your new straight razor. If your new razor has been at least set (bevel created) and factory sharpened you will still need to hone it on a stone of about 8000 grit and strop it well. I use a strop with CrO2 before a plain strop, you might get away with that if you don't have an 8k hone.
Very few razors are keen enough to shave with from the factory.
I'm littlesilverbladefromwales at the straightrazorplace. I haven't posted much there recently though.

[Johnny Boy]

Thanks Swanseajack. Now that I hear it from someone that's not trying to sell me something I think I will just have it honed when I buy it. I am hoping to be able to maintain the blade from then on.

Haha I'm also hoping to get good at straight razor shaving. That way I won't have to spend so much on disposables and will have more money for my budding knife collection.

Thanks again guys. Of all the forums I use for various things this one is populated with the most mature and helpful members by far. I don't even have 50 posts and I can already tell that this is a real community.

[swanseajack]

If you do get someone to hone it for you, you could maintain it for a while latter on a paddle strop that you would use for your knives. One side plain the other with a very sparing amount of Autosol or a fine buffing substance. be very sparing with it though, just a small amount and very very little pressure on the razor when you strop it or you'll deflect the edge or maybe even wreck it!

[Ookami]

Honing a straight razor is actually not that difficult, since the spine acts as an angle guide. Just lay the blade flat on your stone and start honing.

That said, the fine benchstone might be a good way to start your edge. If you also get a 6000-8000 Japanese water stone, you'll have one stone for quick removal (the ) and one for finishing.

Combined with the strop - one side loaded with compound the other plain leather - you are set.

It won't hurt to do a bit of reading before you start, though, just to make sure you don't mess anything up.


Ookami
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HALF-BAKED