Thread: getting back to shaving sharp?

Hey all, I was wondering how difficult it is to get a razor back to shaving sharp, that about two months ago was new and professionally honed. I think I have dulled it somewhat learning to strop with it, and now it seems to pull much more and does not shave very well. It takes off longer hairs but leaves plenty of stubble despite playing with the blade angle, shaving direction, etc.

I also think I have damaged the edge some, as stropping now scratches the leather of my strop, so the edge cant be perfectly smooth, something is a little out of whack and needs to be cleaned up!

I don't exactly want to wait several weeks to have it shipped out and honed, then returned, and I would like to learn to do it myself but It is frustrating to not get great shaves out of a nice blade!

any recommendations are greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

Norton 4k/8k. Put it on the 8K for a few laps and see how it goes. I'd say a pretty conservative hone should bring it back to it's former glory if it's just a little dulled and not damaged like you say.

Invest in a barbers hone, inexpensive and yet so efficient. If it is scratching the strop, there is a problem, send it out. In the meantime look for a barber hone.

It's a matter of how handy are you with a hone. If the answer is reasonably then I'd say try some trips on a finisher and see what happens. If the answer is your all thumbs I'd say send it out. It probably needs an evaluation to make sure the edge isn't damaged and it needs bevel work.