would like to become self sufficient!

[JMP]

I have read Joels comparison for different ways to finish off a razor. I have a light beard and would like to purchase a stone that I can use to keep my edge sharp. I know a lot of people like the norton 4k/8k; I think I am more interested in something like the spyderco UF (no lapping!)I do NOT plan to restore any old razors with damage or nicks, I only plan to use this on a razor that is in good condition. I would like to just get one stone as I do not like to have lots of extra "stuff" (weird, I know).

If I just got a spyerco UF, how often is it recommended to hone with it to maintain a shave ready edge without ever having to go back to set the bevel? Does anyone personally do this with their razors? Thanks

[mparker762]

If I just got a spyerco UF, how often is it recommended to hone with it to maintain a shave ready edge without ever having to go back to set the bevel?

As soon as it starts to lose a bit of the edge. Don't let it go too long past this point or you'll need a coarser hone. How often this is depends on a lot of factors, it could be every few days, it could be every few months, it could even be every few years. More likely every few days when you're just starting out, don't be surprised if it needs touching up once a week until you figure out how to maximize the effectiveness of your strop.

You should never really need to reset the bevel unless you're restoring an old razor, or unless you chip it.

[JMP]

thanks, I was having trouble finding info on the bevel especially; I guess I read a lot of conflicting info. Some lead me to believe that using pastes eventually destroyed the bevel and it had to be reset. I guess that was part of the reason I am leaning towards the spyderco UF, unless I am wrong I think it will maintain the bevel and keep it sharp.

[azmark]

I loved my UF and used it for a long time but haven't touched it as of late. You will love the edge off of it though.

Quite honestly you can go a couple of months if the razor came honed properly and a good stropping will keep it up for quite a while. You can touch it up about 30 laps on the UF.

If you want to keep in minimal like I've come to do; a Norton 4/8K and the UF will do the job if you're buying shave ready razors.

[mparker762]

Some lead me to believe that using pastes eventually destroyed the bevel and it had to be reset.

That can happen if you're using a pasted hanging strop and let it get too slack. It used to be "common knowledge" that this was true for all pasted strops, but there have been a number of experiments over the last few years that have demonstrated that this isn't necessarily true for paddles and bench strops. While pasted paddles can dull the razor it doesn't seem to be due to the pastes but because of too much pressure - it's ok to use pressure when stropping on a plain strop, but not ok when stropping on a pasted strop because a pasted strop is more a hone than a strop, and just like when using stones you must be careful with the pressure or you'll dull the edge. You still hear this line about "pastes rounding the bevel" repeated a lot though, and of course it's all still there in the archives. I've taken a razor and put several thousand laps on a chrome oxide pasted paddle, and the first stroke on a barber hone reached the edge, so if there was any rounding it wasn't enough to worry about. Also, at least one member of another shaving forum went four years with just one razor and a pasted paddle, and the only reason he finally put it on a hone is that four years of hearing all that talk of rounded bevels finally convinced him that it might be worth trying a hone just in case.

[professorchaos]

Some lead me to believe that using pastes eventually destroyed the bevel and it had to be reset. I guess that was part of the reason I am leaning towards the spyderco UF, unless I am wrong I think it will maintain the bevel and keep it sharp.

Used judiciously, pastes pose no threat. Typically, I'll use them to provide a little extra keenness after some progressions. The edge tend to last nearly as long as those not finished on pastes.

Also, I've found it beneficial to "refresh" the bevel whenever rehoning a razor. A few laps on the DMT 1.2K hone gives you a clean slate to start with.

[Legion]

If you want to keep it "minimal" (and if you don't like having extra stuff you are on the WRONG forum ) you could probably just get by with a good quality strop and a barber hone.

Everything I'm reading indicates that that is all they used at home "back in the day". If it eventually gets to the point where a barber hone wont refresh the blade any more you can send it off to a honemeister to sort out. In reality, that should only happen every couple of years, if you look after your gear.

[tpoof]

or... if your a young fella and wanting to save money you could use "lapping films" that will do it all at a fraction of the cost of a single hone..
lots of options

[JMP]

thanks for the advice guys. I truly do not want to keep it minimal, but I am a student who moves every 2 months for clinical rotations. Everything I currently own/care about fits into my SUV, and I want to keep it that way I am forming a shopping list in my head....it currently reads 6/8 dovo imitation tortoise, simpson case, spyderco UF....we will see how long I can hold off before upgrading to these!