How to Remove the Wire Edge From a Straight Razor
To the purist, using a straight razor is the only way to shave. Keeping the razor sharp however, is a learned skill. New razors should be ready to use and only need to be stropped every second or third shave to maintain their sharpness. If you drop or misuse a razor, then you may need to hone it back to optimum sharpness. But you can hone a razor too much, creating a wire edge that makes shaving very unpleasant. The best way to avoid a wire edge is not to create one in the first place. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Honing the Razor
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1
Put a bead of honing oil on the 4,000 grit side of the oil stone. Lay the razor flat on the stone and draw the blade, edge first, down and across the stone, using the weight of the razor alone for pressure.
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2
Flip the razor over the back without lifting it from the stone and again draw the blade, edge first, up and across the stone, using the weight of the razor alone for pressure.
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3
Repeat this process five times on each side.
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4
Turn the stone over to the 8,000 grit side and lay it flat on the oiled stone. Draw the blade, edge first, down and across the stone, using the weight of the razor alone for pressure.
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5
Flip the razor over the back without lifting it from the stone and again draw the blade, edge first, up and across the stone, using the weight of the razor alone for pressure.
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6
Repeat this process five times on each side.
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7
Draw the razor gently down the inside of your forearm. If it shaves without pulling, your razor is sharp enough. If not, repeat steps 1 to 6 until the razor can shave your forearm hair smooth.
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8
Strop the razor on a leather razor strop to reach optimal sharpness for shaving the face.
Removing a Wire Edge
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9
Lay the razor flat on the stone and draw the blade, back first, up the stone, using the weight of the razor alone for pressure.
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10
Flip the razor over its back and draw the other side, back first, up the stone, using the weight of the razor alone for pressure.
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11
Do this twice on each side.
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12
Draw the blade lightly across your thumbnail. If it catches or gives a start and stop sensation, some of the wire edge is still there. If this happens, repeat Steps 1 through 4 until the wire edge is gone.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Never turn the razor over on its edge. This will dull the blade.
There are many stones available for sharpening, but one of the best is Norton's double sided 4,000/8,000 grit stone.
Stropping is the process of drawing the blade, with the edge trailing, over a piece of leather a number of times on each side to refine the edge.
The razor is sharper than a scalpel. Do not try to test its sharpness against your thumb.
References
Resources
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