Amazing insight. Seems like this is gonna reduce the wear on the blade to basically zero. Same for the lapping routine. The hone, if not warped after drying, doesn't need to be lapped as frequently as is recommended by other honemeisters on YT. I can imagine that a pyramid more easily mitigates planar differences in multiple hone progressions. The pyramid is something new I learned. Definitely gonna try these edge preserving and time saving methods too. Thank you very much
@@magnoliamike not open anymore. I highly recommend either sending your razor to Max Sprecher in Las Vegas or Razor emporium. Or if you wanted to start honing your razor yourself, I could help out.
Hey Lynn, Used my naniwa 12,000 7x first. Chromium oxide paste strop 7x second, the 3 inch leather strop 50x third. Now my Boker King Cutter is back to shaving my beard like butter!! Great informative video, thank you Sir.
Hi Lynn - although you posted this a while ago and may not have time to periodically check for comments, I'd really like to add my thanks for the time and trouble you've taken to produce so many informative videos. As a newcomer, this video in particular was essential in educating me as to how I could maintain a straight razor. There is so much vague and misleading advice on the internet. I'm ordering my first straight razor very soon and looking forward! I'm currently a DE shaver and reaping the benefits. Can't wait to master the craft of straight razor shaving! Thanks again and very best wishes from another stranger. (Wales, UK).
Robert how did you find the experience to shave with a Straight Razor compared to the DE? I am going to try as well and wondering what is your insight ... thanks
What a great no-bull channel this is. I see it's some years since you posted a new video, but there's always new people coming in, and great information like this never gets old. Hope you never take the channel down .
I love the way the camera gets closer to a strop of hone, when the instructor uses the strop or hone. It adds so much to the video--and shows how smart the camera operator is!--for the camera to get twelve inches away from the strop or hone. And of course, you see so much more--the strop or hone is so much more interesting!--when the camera is close to the strop or hone. It's so good to see a headless horseman stropping or honing a razor.
I've been shaving with a safety razor for years. New to the straight razor I hope I don't shave like a Ruffian under the jaw! Thank you for this very informative video. ⚒
I'd just like to say an absolutely massive thank you for this video! There's so much information on the internet it's impossible to know where to begin but this video covered every question I had and I'm really happy to go and purchase my straight now and be sure that with time and effort, I can keep it shave ready after the initial hone. Thanks again, videos likes this are brilliant, I really mean this! :)
Can't wait to try refreshing on the modular paddle strop. As soon as it arrives that is. Your videos are always great Lynn, could watch them over and over. Such a humble honemeister. Thanks for the great video and the great information.
I had wanted to try straight razor shaving for some time. My son had been doing it for a while but has grown a large beard and wasn't using it. So, I borrowed his razor and kit and gave it a try. I was asking myself "what's so great about this"? I found your channel here and after reviewing the information on exactly how to do it, and more important your advise on refreshing and honing razors I am about to get the hang of it and finding it very satisfying. In fact, I ordered my own razor from you this afternoon! Thanks Lynn for your very informative, useful and well made videos!
Lynn, thank you very much for this video. I bought a niwana 12000 but I was not getting the edge I wanted. After watching this video, I bought the niwana 5000 and 8000. WOW, what a difference. I sat down and honed all my straight razors. Again, thank you.
I’ve just tried the first process on my razor (black strop paste on the cotton side of my strop). I’ve struggled with this brand new razor since Christmas and it’s now pinging hairs away nicely. Thanks.
Thank you ,this was great ,I have always been able to sharpen knives sharp enough to shave hair off my arm ,but I have an old Straight Razor that always pulled , this helped me alot . Thank you
Mr. Abrams, thanks a lot for your advices and suggestions on the universe of straight razors. I´ve been watching all your videos, so far, I consider I´ve learned a great deal on this subject. I kindly regard from Panama, Republic.
Both edge and spine are touching the strops and stones. Lifting up with a straight razor will cause you all kinds of fun and can roll an edge pretty quickly.
i guess Im randomly asking but does anybody know a trick to get back into an Instagram account?? I was stupid lost my password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me
@Zachary Rhett Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site thru google and I'm in the hacking process atm. Seems to take a while so I will reply here later with my results.
Thanks for the help what a great guy and a brilliant video. Im new to this too 50 shaves in and your video is like a guiding light for a know nothing like me.
Thank you Brother, I've just started getting into sharpening, mainly cutlery. My father was a barber long ago and he has a straight razor that's close to two hundred years old, he offered it to me but I don't want to make it with my amateur sharpening skills. I am going to make my own strops using kangaroo leather I have leftover from an old painting project. I also have some canvas, looks like I have my work cut out for me.
Best of luck and let me know if I can help you. Keep in mind that sharpening razors is different than sharpening knives. Both the spine and the edge need to be on the stone with even pressure at all times. With a little practice, you can certainly learn hone them nicely. Fraternally!
Thanks for the video. Having to get a razor honed multiple times has so far scared me off from jumping into the straight razor world. I was under the impression you needed multiple stones, etc just to re-sharpen a razor.
+PhotoBomb In my opinion, you can get by with a 12K or finishing stone and either spray or paste media to maintain your razors unless the edge is damaged and needs a complete re-honing from bevel set to finish.
+Lynn Abrams im looking into this method that you mentioned (12k + Cr paste) in the video before I have to send it back to you for proper honing haha.. my question is do you also sell the wood block you have holding the 12k finishing stone on SRD?
+Alex Ramirez The 12K's used to come with those plastic stands permanently affixed to them. They don't make them like that anymore and I am using the Naniwa Stone Holder. Works great for all their stones.
I have used the .5 micron media following both the 8K and the 10K with success. You can also use a few strokes on the 1 micron and drop down to the .5 after the stones in my opinion.
You can put chromium oxide paste or crayon on the back of a leather strop. I would not recommend the higher grit on the back side of the poly webbing or linen if it will be touching or rubbing up against another treated strop because of the possible cross contamination as you mentioned. You could put the other paste on the front side of the linen and then you should be fine. Alot of people don't use the linen before the leather as this is a personal preference thing.
Try 4-7 strokes with the chromium oxide followed by 40-60 strokes on your leather strop. If that doesn't work, try adding 5-7 light strokes on a 12K or finishing stone followed by the chromium oxide and stropping.
@@LynnSAbrams thanks I ended up getting one from someone on one of the FB groups I got my Crome ox “DIALUX “ bar Naniwa 12K, 8K, 5K-3K combination stone and the 1K I think I’m going to return the other stones and just keep the 12 K, I only have 2 straight razors , I don’t think I need all of them yet
Some people use a couple of spine leading strokes when both refreshing a razor and at the end of their honing regiment followed by a few regular sharpening strokes. I would try it and see how it works for you.
I recommend the pastes or crayon on the back of leather or webbing and you can put it on as demonstrated in the video. I think that the sprays work best with the hard felt. I like either the .5 diamond spray or the chromium oxide on the felt. They are very consistent and reliable.
On factory edges, I usually drop down to the 4K and hone up from there using the circle method I developed. It is virtually flawless. On tweaking a shave ready blade, I will usually try 1-3 strokes on chromium oxide or a couple strokes on a finishing stone followed by the chromium oxide and see if it improves the shave. If it is truly shave ready, I just shave with it.
Hi there Lynn , I have recently bought a cheep straight razor from china ( I can just see you shaking your head lol) but I ave watched your TH-cam videos, following all your tips and guides ref stropping and honing, so at the moment our kitchen knifes would look pride of place in a restaurant. anyway the razor I bought is called gold dollar it was cheap but I was surprised for my first straight razor shave was very smooth with only one cut, but am looking to step up the quality of my blade and looking for some advice, I live over here is Scotland and I really want to continue this style of shaving .... I like it !!! Thanks Sean
Hi Lynn, thanks a lot for your video and for sharing your huge experiance with us! This Video encouraged me to try my set 5000+8000SS to "refresh" a new - not shave ready Dovo Bismarck -- and the result was amazing !! (1+3;4+5 Pyramid). "refreshing" with a pyramid is really a good point to start. Best Regards Hajo
First of all your video is very well done. Straight to the point, informative and easy to understand the information your trying to convey to anyone who watches it. I also had a some questions for you, if you don't mind. First; do you need to have constant contact of the spine of the razor on the strop to sharpen it the right way? Second; will a pyramid of like a 5k grit and 8k grit work in lieu of a 12k sharpening stone? I'm tired of tearing through those expensive disposable razors by Gillette so I'm trying the straight razor approach so I got 2 of them. I figured I could practice my sharpening with one and use what I learned on the other. Even if you don't get back to me I would like to express my gratitude on you taking the time and effort to post this video for us to learn a few things.😎👊
You do need to keep the spine and edge on the strop. If you lift the spine while stropping you can dull the edge. Light pressure as well. You can do the 5/8 K pyramid but in the long run you’ll find the 12K a more comfortable shave. Best of luck and thanks!
I just refreshed 3 of my razors and I did 20 on the 8k and 20 on the 12k (Naniwa Super Stomes ) and about 7 on the Crome ox. I’m playing around with less to see how that works. Last time I did a lot more and like 30 on the Crome ox.
Hi Lynn. I am looking at getting a proper straight razor soon, after using a shavette for a couple of months. One concern I have though is that I cant seem to find a shop that sells the compound/paste here is South Africa. Is it possible to refresh the blade by simply using the back(rough side) of the leather strop and then stropping it again as normal?
Hi, thanks for the video. Very informative! Are you laying the blade down flat so that the spine is also gliding along the stone, or are you lifting it off and only allowing the edge of the blade to touch?
Thanx for your videos learned a bunch! What is the difference between leather strops? From a cheap one to an expensive one. Is not leather the same from one to the next? Thanx in advance.
thanks for the video. You appear to be about my age, so I'm sure you remember the barber, who would just strop on his equipment, and always had an edge quite sharp enough to shave with. I'm sure he usesd stones when needed, but there were neither Shapton glass, or Nanua (sp?) stone cleaners, and for sure there was no 5 micron fairy dust. I really do appreciate the work, and effort, but at what point does one hit the point of diminished return ?
@@LynnSAbrams Yes, I agree, but I think that is still overkill. I just use a HARD Arkansas, and a strop. Maybe I'll get a finer stone and try it. Thanks
Thank- you for the reply. I did as you suggested- to spread it more with my fingers, and then to dry it out in the sun for an hour or two, and that helped. Thanks! I did apply it rather prudently- just enough for the belt to be an even green, and dried well in some places. However, Next time I'll be more careful. I have another question and would once again appreciate your advice: I have a balsa stropping board that was laced with liquid paste ( chromium oxide ) directly onto the wood. By now there are brown streaks on two thirds of he board area respectively. This probably means that it's time to refresh it. What would be a good procedure to do this? Thanks again for your help!!
Lynn, which finishing stone do you like the best. I am not asking which stone makes the sharpest blade. Which finishing stone feels like shaving with butter. Thanks and I miss Straight Razor Design. Take Care……
Great video. Thanks a lot for the tutorial. One question, are you laying the razor on it's side for the honing and stropping? Aka. is the spine touching on every stroke?
Hello Lynn! I've watched this video several times and enjoyd watching it. I even pick up some points that I've forgotten or missed. I really do apreciate your videos!! I find them quite helpful. thanks for the videos- this one and in particular the video about circular motion technique on the 4/8k Norton stones. I found that video very,very helpful!! I tried it and it really sharpened my razor to a very nice level. I have a question though regarding this video. When you notice that the paste ( chromium-oxide or Diamond Paste, etc.) on your canvas [felt,etc] has faded or that it is not doing it's job;do you (1) wash it off, let the strop dry, then add new paste? Or (2) Do you just add new paste over the old one? What do you recommend? Again thanks for posting such fine videos!!
Richard Torres If just refreshing, a finishing stone would be fine imo. If honing from bevel set to finish, I would recommend a 1K, 4 or 5K, 8K and finisher. Good luck! 👍
Before re-honing it, try stropping it and making sure your angle is less than 30 degrees or that the spine is only one spine width off the face. Try just shaving from one sideburn to the jaw on that side of the face. If it still doesn't shave nicely after a couple tries, then a honing might be in order.
I have to correct myself, Lyn. To dry it out in the sun a while was my own idea. Sorry if I insinuated that it was your idea. Thanks again for the help!
what is a good method to identify each stone ? im having issues keeping track of the things .This is awesome info from a grand master . I have a few knives i keep an amazing edge on using the same principles. I found an amazing 1940's vintage German razor on ebay that i fixed up (my first one) and looked at it under an electron beam microscope , The scratches and pattern are incredible . I use a sharpie before each stone or procedure to see what it does. I could never afford one of these microscopes but my job has one and i sneak in there at lunch time to take a peek . at 200 x and 300x you actually see whisker remains that look like tree bark. The blade always maintains a radius regardless a true point is theory impossible . im so glad i quit using disposable razors and blue shave goo
Not sure what strop you have. The crayon works well for me on the poly webbing or cotton canvas or linen second strops as well as on the back of the leather strops.
Excellent video. I had a company sharpen two straight razors on only one side of the blade with a machine. My gut tells me he just wrecked them because they are only sharp on one side. He said it was better to have only one side beveled. 🤔 The one razor that is not that deep, has a pretty thick edge on one side that you can easily see. Is this possible to have re-beveled properly is will this be too much work to accomplish? My second straight razor looks much newer and much deeper. When he sharpened it, the bevel did not look so deep or thick. You could barely see it. So I believe it would not take as much effort to re-bevel both sides proper. I have never used these before nor have I ever sharpened one before. I am just starting to use brand new one with a replaceable blades. From me being a butcher in the past, I love sharpening my own knives and other tools. I want to learn how to sharpen a straight razor properly. What is the best method to have these two straight razors re-beveled properly? What should I buy to get started?
I normally use a 1K stone (Naniwa Traditional or Professional 1K) to put the bevel on the razor. In my opinion, getting the bevel right is the foundation for sharpening straight razors.
There is normally already a minimal to excessive amount of wear on the spines of razors. The wear from refreshing a razor is negligible. I will use tape however if I am going to put a damascus razor on the hones to protect the pattern.
Lynn Abrams Ok, thank you! I have ordered a Dovo Astrale a 5/8" 1/2 hollow ground (high) carbon steel with ebony scales, a 2" Mountain Mike nylon/mahogny strop and a Naniwa superstone 12k grit. I will definitely follow all of your advice. So far I have only used a Dovo shavette with feather blades. Thanks
Question? Perhaps i have the wrong strop... But i tried treating my canvas strop with the crayon and it falls off the strop? Should i use the paste on canvas?
Amazing insight. Seems like this is gonna reduce the wear on the blade to basically zero. Same for the lapping routine. The hone, if not warped after drying, doesn't need to be lapped as frequently as is recommended by other honemeisters on YT. I can imagine that a pyramid more easily mitigates planar differences in multiple hone progressions. The pyramid is something new I learned. Definitely gonna try these edge preserving and time saving methods too. Thank you very much
Lynn is the Best. Always coming back to your videos. Have a great year. Happy 2024
I occasionally come back and watch this video as a refresh. Good stuff. I hope you are doing well Lynn.
Awesome!! Thanks and Happy Holidays!!
@@LynnSAbrams Happy holidays to you. Hope hope sata gives you a new after shave brew.
Lynn keeps everything simple.
Most guys on forums and TH-cam complicate shaving so much.
This company is still in business? I know these videos are pretty old
@@magnoliamike not open anymore. I highly recommend either sending your razor to Max Sprecher in Las Vegas or Razor emporium.
Or if you wanted to start honing your razor yourself, I could help out.
Hey Lynn, Used my naniwa 12,000 7x first. Chromium oxide paste strop 7x second, the 3 inch leather strop 50x third. Now my Boker King Cutter is back to shaving my beard like butter!! Great informative video, thank you Sir.
Hi Lynn - although you posted this a while ago and may not have time to periodically check for comments, I'd really like to add my thanks for the time and trouble you've taken to produce so many informative videos. As a newcomer, this video in particular was essential in educating me as to how I could maintain a straight razor. There is so much vague and misleading advice on the internet. I'm ordering my first straight razor very soon and looking forward! I'm currently a DE shaver and reaping the benefits. Can't wait to master the craft of straight razor shaving! Thanks again and very best wishes from another stranger. (Wales, UK).
Robert how did you find the experience to shave with a Straight Razor compared to the DE? I am going to try as well and wondering what is your insight ... thanks
this man is a honing encyclopedia. Period.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge
What a great no-bull channel this is. I see it's some years since you posted a new video, but there's always new people coming in, and great information like this never gets old. Hope you never take the channel down .
I was considering using my Japanese stones I have for my knives.
It was sharpening my knives that got me interested in straight razors.
I love the way the camera gets closer to a strop of hone, when the instructor uses the strop or hone. It adds so much to the video--and shows how smart the camera operator is!--for the camera to get twelve inches away from the strop or hone. And of course, you see so much more--the strop or hone is so much more interesting!--when the camera is close to the strop or hone. It's so good to see a headless horseman stropping or honing a razor.
It's been 4 years since I started SR shaving. Wow, the woods are full of SR-how-to videos now. Lynn and Glen are still the best.
This is probably the best video on straight razor honing/stropping I have watched.
I've been shaving with a safety razor for years. New to the straight razor I hope I don't shave like a Ruffian under the jaw! Thank you for this very informative video. ⚒
I'd just like to say an absolutely massive thank you for this video! There's so much information on the internet it's impossible to know where to begin but this video covered every question I had and I'm really happy to go and purchase my straight now and be sure that with time and effort, I can keep it shave ready after the initial hone. Thanks again, videos likes this are brilliant, I really mean this! :)
Glad your vids are still up Lynn! Been away from the straights for a while and going back through getting a refresher. Hope you are well!
Retired and doing great Dustin. All the best!
Hey Lynn. Good to see you, it's been about 10 years. Sadly our friend Jay took the westbound October of 2010.
Can't wait to try refreshing on the modular paddle strop. As soon as it arrives that is. Your videos are always great Lynn, could watch them over and over. Such a humble honemeister. Thanks for the great video and the great information.
I had wanted to try straight razor shaving for some time. My son had been doing it for a while but has grown a large beard and wasn't using it. So, I borrowed his razor and kit and gave it a try. I was asking myself "what's so great about this"? I found your channel here and after reviewing the information on exactly how to do it, and more important your advise on refreshing and honing razors I am about to get the hang of it and finding it very satisfying. In fact, I ordered my own razor from you this afternoon! Thanks Lynn for your very informative, useful and well made videos!
I just bought my first straight razor today.
So I'm learning how to use it.
This video cleared up a lot of confusion for me. Thank you for the information.
Lynn, thank you very much for this video. I bought a niwana 12000 but I was not getting the edge I wanted. After watching this video, I bought the niwana 5000 and 8000. WOW, what a difference. I sat down and honed all my straight razors. Again, thank you.
I’ve just tried the first process on my razor (black strop paste on the cotton side of my strop). I’ve struggled with this brand new razor since Christmas and it’s now pinging hairs away nicely. Thanks.
Thank you ,this was great ,I have always been able to sharpen knives sharp enough to shave hair off my arm ,but I have an old Straight Razor that always pulled , this helped me alot . Thank you
Mr. Abrams, thanks a lot for your advices and suggestions on the universe of straight razors. I´ve been watching all your videos, so far, I consider I´ve learned a great deal on this subject. I kindly regard from Panama, Republic.
Both edge and spine are touching the strops and stones. Lifting up with a straight razor will cause you all kinds of fun and can roll an edge pretty quickly.
I have watched this tutorial so many times-so informative and well paced. Thanks, Lynn!
i guess Im randomly asking but does anybody know a trick to get back into an Instagram account??
I was stupid lost my password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me
@Kristian Guillermo instablaster ;)
@Zachary Rhett Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site thru google and I'm in the hacking process atm.
Seems to take a while so I will reply here later with my results.
@Zachary Rhett it did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. Im so happy!
Thank you so much you saved my ass :D
@Kristian Guillermo No problem =)
Thanks for the help what a great guy and a brilliant video. Im new to this too 50 shaves in and your video is like a guiding light for a know nothing like me.
great teaching video on refreshing a straight razor. you have a great way of teaching. Thanks.
Excellent and very informative video. Thank you for posting this great information in such a clear and complete manner.
Thank you Brother, I've just started getting into sharpening, mainly cutlery. My father was a barber long ago and he has a straight razor that's close to two hundred years old, he offered it to me but I don't want to make it with my amateur sharpening skills.
I am going to make my own strops using kangaroo leather I have leftover from an old painting project. I also have some canvas, looks like I have my work cut out for me.
Best of luck and let me know if I can help you. Keep in mind that sharpening razors is different than sharpening knives. Both the spine and the edge need to be on the stone with even pressure at all times. With a little practice, you can certainly learn hone them nicely. Fraternally!
this is really a good explanation and very well detailed video
Thank you for taking the time to make your videos...they're a tremendous help!
Thanks for the video. Having to get a razor honed multiple times has so far scared me off from jumping into the straight razor world. I was under the impression you needed multiple stones, etc just to re-sharpen a razor.
+PhotoBomb In my opinion, you can get by with a 12K or finishing stone and either spray or paste media to maintain your razors unless the edge is damaged and needs a complete re-honing from bevel set to finish.
+Lynn Abrams im looking into this method that you mentioned (12k + Cr paste) in the video before I have to send it back to you for proper honing haha.. my question is do you also sell the wood block you have holding the 12k finishing stone on SRD?
+Alex Ramirez The 12K's used to come with those plastic stands permanently affixed to them. They don't make them like that anymore and I am using the Naniwa Stone Holder. Works great for all their stones.
I have used the .5 micron media following both the 8K and the 10K with success. You can also use a few strokes on the 1 micron and drop down to the .5 after the stones in my opinion.
Excellent video and very informative. This is a great video to guide beginners. Please keep these videos going!!!!
Thank you for your kindness in guiding me on the this.
On the hanging strops, personal preference is key. I use English Bridle and Roo quite a bit with the poly webbing canvas second strop.
what a nice video .im finally learning this
Thanks I have learned a lot from you , well presented and even I can follow and understand. Geoff
You can put chromium oxide paste or crayon on the back of a leather strop. I would not recommend the higher grit on the back side of the poly webbing or linen if it will be touching or rubbing up against another treated strop because of the possible cross contamination as you mentioned. You could put the other paste on the front side of the linen and then you should be fine. Alot of people don't use the linen before the leather as this is a personal preference thing.
Lynn,
Thanks for another great video. Very informative. I've got to try some of these techniques.
Good video, So informational. Also i noticed you are a traveling man. Good day brother!
Try 4-7 strokes with the chromium oxide followed by 40-60 strokes on your leather strop. If that doesn't work, try adding 5-7 light strokes on a 12K or finishing stone followed by the chromium oxide and stropping.
Your videos are great man I’m thinking about buying one of your strops to upgrade from my amazon Naked Armor one
Thanks. I have been retired for a while now. Check out Smallflower.com for a strop.
@@LynnSAbrams thanks I ended up getting one from someone on one of the FB groups
I got my Crome ox “DIALUX “ bar
Naniwa 12K, 8K, 5K-3K combination stone and the 1K
I think I’m going to return the other stones and just keep the 12 K, I only have 2 straight razors , I don’t think I need all of them yet
I’ve been honing for over a year now, I’m really good now. Came a long way 💈😁🤙🏻💈
Great need to no lerning videos realy love your videos and you make things so easy to understand thanks a lot so much helpful info
Thank you for a great video .
Some people use a couple of spine leading strokes when both refreshing a razor and at the end of their honing regiment followed by a few regular sharpening strokes. I would try it and see how it works for you.
Excellent video. Answers all my remaining questions. Thanks so much.
I recommend the pastes or crayon on the back of leather or webbing and you can put it on as demonstrated in the video. I think that the sprays work best with the hard felt. I like either the .5 diamond spray or the chromium oxide on the felt. They are very consistent and reliable.
I normally use the SRD chromium oxide crayon. Little goes a long way and it is very consistent and reliable.
On factory edges, I usually drop down to the 4K and hone up from there using the circle method I developed. It is virtually flawless. On tweaking a shave ready blade, I will usually try 1-3 strokes on chromium oxide or a couple strokes on a finishing stone followed by the chromium oxide and see if it improves the shave. If it is truly shave ready, I just shave with it.
Where do you hail from brother?
Great video for someone who's just recently started shaving with a straight razor!
Wonderful! Iam a newbie this is fabulous info.
Great demo! Very helpful info.
Very thorough 👌 Stay sharp
Hi there Lynn , I have recently bought a cheep straight razor from china ( I can just see you shaking your head lol) but I ave watched your TH-cam videos, following all your tips and guides ref stropping and honing, so at the moment our kitchen knifes would look pride of place in a restaurant. anyway the razor I bought is called gold dollar it was cheap but I was surprised for my first straight razor shave was very smooth with only one cut, but am looking to step up the quality of my blade and looking for some advice, I live over here is Scotland and I really want to continue this style of shaving .... I like it !!!
Thanks Sean
Hi Lynn,
thanks a lot for your video and for sharing your huge experiance with us!
This Video encouraged me to try my set 5000+8000SS to "refresh" a new - not shave ready Dovo Bismarck -- and the result was amazing !! (1+3;4+5 Pyramid).
"refreshing" with a pyramid is really a good point to start.
Best Regards
Hajo
I am thinking and debating if giving a try, Great video and very instructive. Thank you very much. Glad to see you are a Traveling man, congrats
First of all your video is very well done. Straight to the point, informative and easy to understand the information your trying to convey to anyone who watches it. I also had a some questions for you, if you don't mind. First; do you need to have constant contact of the spine of the razor on the strop to sharpen it the right way? Second; will a pyramid of like a 5k grit and 8k grit work in lieu of a 12k sharpening stone? I'm tired of tearing through those expensive disposable razors by Gillette so I'm trying the straight razor approach so I got 2 of them. I figured I could practice my sharpening with one and use what I learned on the other. Even if you don't get back to me I would like to express my gratitude on you taking the time and effort to post this video for us to learn a few things.😎👊
You do need to keep the spine and edge on the strop. If you lift the spine while stropping you can dull the edge. Light pressure as well. You can do the 5/8 K pyramid but in the long run you’ll find the 12K a more comfortable shave. Best of luck and thanks!
Brilliant video, thanks! Could you explain how much pressure you apply when using stones?
Thanks for the video. I am new to straight razor shaving. Nice ring, Abe Hinson #472
Thanks! Rising Sun #115
I just refreshed 3 of my razors and I did 20 on the 8k and 20 on the 12k (Naniwa Super Stomes ) and about 7 on the Crome ox. I’m playing around with less to see how that works. Last time I did a lot more and like 30 on the Crome ox.
Lynn, do you recommend removing the base that is atrached to Naniwa Super Stones or Choseras? I like your videos lot, keep your good work!
I always use the bases when available 👍. Thanks!
Hey brethren. Thanks for the information.
Wow awesome video!!
Great info thanks
I just refresh when the razor starts to pull a little. You could go the the Norton if that is your preference.
Hi Lynn. I am looking at getting a proper straight razor soon, after using a shavette for a couple of months. One concern I have though is that I cant seem to find a shop that sells the compound/paste here is South Africa. Is it possible to refresh the blade by simply using the back(rough side) of the leather strop and then stropping it again as normal?
I see your light my brother. Greetings from Wasington #2
Thank you Johnathan!
Hi, thanks for the video. Very informative! Are you laying the blade down flat so that the spine is also gliding along the stone, or are you lifting it off and only allowing the edge of the blade to touch?
The scrub leather is being used in lieu of a webbing or canvas type second strop.
Thanx for your videos learned a bunch! What is the difference between leather strops? From a cheap one to an expensive one. Is not leather the same from one to the next? Thanx in advance.
Dovo is seriously behind in getting razor out to the industry as a whole. Check out the Ralf Aust razors. They are very nice.
Lynn Abrams do you have any experience with NOS razor like puma, Dorko etc. How you find them?
Lynn I went to your website to buy a straight razor but it seems most (all that I've clicked) say out of order. Can you point me to a good razor/set?
thanks for the video. You appear to be about my age, so I'm sure you remember the barber, who would just strop on his equipment, and always had an edge quite sharp enough to shave with. I'm sure he usesd stones when needed, but there were neither Shapton glass, or Nanua (sp?) stone cleaners, and for sure there was no 5 micron fairy dust. I really do appreciate the work, and effort, but at what point does one hit the point of diminished return ?
IMO you should be able to function well once you get to the 12k stone.
@@LynnSAbrams Yes, I agree, but I think that is still overkill. I just use a HARD Arkansas, and a strop. Maybe I'll get a finer stone and try it. Thanks
Some used to use just a Carborundum and Arkies as well. Have fun.
Thank- you for the reply. I did as you suggested- to spread it more with my fingers, and then to dry it out in the sun for an hour or two, and that helped. Thanks! I did apply it rather prudently- just enough for the belt to be an even green, and dried well in some places. However, Next time I'll be more careful.
I have another question and would once again appreciate your advice:
I have a balsa stropping board that was laced with liquid paste ( chromium oxide ) directly onto the wood. By now there are brown streaks on two thirds of he board area respectively. This probably means that it's time to refresh it. What would be a good procedure to do this?
Thanks again for your help!!
I use kangaroo leather with 1m and 1/2m diamond spray on my knives with excellent results. Can I use the kangaroo on a straight razor?
Kangaroo works well with a straight razor. Don’t need the sprays unless touching up. Less strokes are better touching up a razor.
@@LynnSAbrams thanks, Lynn!
Thankyou for your advice, much appreciated.
Lynn, which finishing stone do you like the best. I am not asking which stone makes the sharpest blade. Which finishing stone feels like shaving with butter. Thanks and I miss Straight Razor Design. Take Care……
Suehiro 20K remains my favorite all around finisher. All the best and thanks!
Great video! Thanks!
Great video. Thanks a lot for the tutorial. One question, are you laying the razor on it's side for the honing and stropping? Aka. is the spine touching on every stroke?
The spine and the edge are touching both the stone and strop for best results.
I just started doing this straight edge.
Have fun!!
Great videos !
Hello Lynn!
I've watched this video several times and enjoyd watching it. I even pick up some points that I've forgotten or missed. I really do apreciate your videos!! I find them quite helpful. thanks for the videos- this one and in particular the video about circular motion technique on the 4/8k Norton stones. I found that video very,very helpful!!
I tried it and it really sharpened my razor to a very nice level.
I have a question though regarding this video. When you notice that the paste ( chromium-oxide or Diamond Paste, etc.) on your canvas [felt,etc] has faded or that it is not doing it's job;do you (1) wash it off, let the strop dry, then add new paste? Or (2) Do you just add new paste over the old one? What do you recommend?
Again thanks for posting such fine videos!!
Great video! thank you very much!
Hi your videos are very informative question just starting to hone which stones can I start with
Richard Torres If just refreshing, a finishing stone would be fine imo. If honing from bevel set to finish, I would recommend a 1K, 4 or 5K, 8K and finisher. Good luck! 👍
Before re-honing it, try stropping it and making sure your angle is less than 30 degrees or that the spine is only one spine width off the face. Try just shaving from one sideburn to the jaw on that side of the face. If it still doesn't shave nicely after a couple tries, then a honing might be in order.
I have to correct myself, Lyn. To dry it out in the sun a while was my own idea. Sorry if I insinuated that it was your idea.
Thanks again for the help!
what is a good method to identify each stone ? im having issues keeping track of the things .This is awesome info from a grand master . I have a few knives i keep an amazing edge on using the same principles. I found an amazing 1940's vintage German razor on ebay that i fixed up (my first one) and looked at it under an electron beam microscope , The scratches and pattern are incredible . I use a sharpie before each stone or procedure to see what it does. I could never afford one of these microscopes but my job has one and i sneak in there at lunch time to take a peek . at 200 x and 300x you actually see whisker remains that look like tree bark. The blade always maintains a radius regardless a true point is theory impossible .
im so glad i quit using disposable razors and blue shave goo
Not sure what strop you have. The crayon works well for me on the poly webbing or cotton canvas or linen second strops as well as on the back of the leather strops.
From my experience, I like the sprays better on the felt surfaces and the pastes better on the webbing or leather.
Why did you go the opposite direction with your blade on the stone instead of continuing with the reverse stroke?
It works very well. 👍
Hello Brother! Excellent video. Many thanks. May I ask, how long do you think someone can maintain a straight razor for? Could it be a lifetime?
I think in many cases, you can go years on just refreshing a razor so long as the edge is not damaged along the way.
Excellent video. I had a company sharpen two straight razors on only one side of the blade with a machine. My gut tells me he just wrecked them because they are only sharp on one side. He said it was better to have only one side beveled. 🤔 The one razor that is not that deep, has a pretty thick edge on one side that you can easily see. Is this possible to have re-beveled properly is will this be too much work to accomplish? My second straight razor looks much newer and much deeper. When he sharpened it, the bevel did not look so deep or thick. You could barely see it. So I believe it would not take as much effort to re-bevel both sides proper. I have never used these before nor have I ever sharpened one before. I am just starting to use brand new one with a replaceable blades. From me being a butcher in the past, I love sharpening my own knives and other tools. I want to learn how to sharpen a straight razor properly. What is the best method to have these two straight razors re-beveled properly? What should I buy to get started?
I normally use a 1K stone (Naniwa Traditional or Professional 1K) to put the bevel on the razor. In my opinion, getting the bevel right is the foundation for sharpening straight razors.
Other than to repair an over-honed edge, is there any benefit to honing on a stone with the spine leading?
Would you recommend lapping the barber's hone before using it? Thanks.
I find that cleaning them up vs lapping usually works fine.
Is that honing paddle magnetic for swapping out the panels?
Great video. Question: When honing the razor on the stone(s) will it not destroy the finish of the spine of the razor? Thanks
There is normally already a minimal to excessive amount of wear on the spines of razors. The wear from refreshing a razor is negligible. I will use tape however if I am going to put a damascus razor on the hones to protect the pattern.
Lynn Abrams Ok, thank you! I have ordered a Dovo Astrale a 5/8" 1/2 hollow ground (high) carbon steel with ebony scales, a 2" Mountain Mike nylon/mahogny strop and a Naniwa superstone 12k grit. I will definitely follow all of your advice. So far I have only used a Dovo shavette with feather blades. Thanks
If you are going to tape the spine i guess its important not to tape too thick, or the angle of the edge will be wrong.
I use the green oxide on my pocket knives and they get scary sharpe
Question? Perhaps i have the wrong strop... But i tried treating my canvas strop with the crayon and it falls off the strop? Should i use the paste on canvas?