New at straight razor and liking it! Help with honing question.

[riooso]

I like the straight razor shaving but wonder how long can I shave without having to hone a razor? Should I have 2 razors and just send one in when it needs honing? I really do not want to get into honing I just want to shave. I don't want to spend a lot of time messing with honing, is DE the answer with a straight being the answer a couple times a week. BOY pretty demanding huh? Just feeling my way.

Thanks,
Richard Adams

[Limey]

Richard - If you won't be honing and must send out your razor to be honed then I would definitely recommend having 2+ razors. There is the justification you were probably looking for anyway!

[professorchaos]

According to the more experienced straight shavers here, and verified by my brief experience, you can greatly extend times between honings by using a pasted paddle strop to maintain the edge.

[riooso]

What about filling in with a DE, good or bad idea. The send out to hone thing, is that a viable solution? I have a heavy beard, how long can I expect between hones just using a regular strop? I am sure that I can learn to hone, I been doing knives for decades, but it is a time thing with me. How much to send out for good honings and what are the turnaround times?


Thanks,
Richard

[Limey]

What about filling in with a DE, good or bad idea. The send out to hone thing, is that a viable solution? I have a heavy beard, how long can I expect between hones just using a regular strop? I am sure that I can learn to hone, I been doing knives for decades, but it is a time thing with me. How much to send out for good honings and what are the turnaround times?


Thanks,
Richard

Richard - I also have a heavy beard and generally get 3-5 shaves before touching up the blade. I think filling in with a DE can be a fine solution as I use both straights and DEs. Sending out to hone is fine but as pointed out above you can do your own touch ups with a pasted strop. A 4-sided one would probably be best for needs. I have seen pricing at around $20 US for honing and as for turn around times your probably looking at a week to ship out, honing and return shipping.

[riooso]

You mean that you can only get about 5 shaves before a touch up honing is needed or can it be done on a regular strop and canvas? I was hoping for more but I do like the straight. I might have to learn to hone.

Thanks,
Richard

[TENroaches]

You mean that you can only get about 5 shaves before a touch up honing is needed or can it be done on a regular strop and canvas? I was hoping for more but I do like the straight. I might have to learn to hone.

Thanks,
Richard

I can't imagine he has to hone after 5 shaves. But I'm new to straights. Maybe a touch up on a very fine pasted strop?