Thread: Best affordable quality ratio to sharpen?

I am a beginner wanting some advice on the most affordable way to sharpen a straight razor.

I am getting this razor:

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The excellent salesperson I purchased the razor from said this:

"If you only own one razor (especially a nicely honed, new Dovo razor like this one), I think purchasing hones to do touch ups is overkill. I would recommend purchasing a linen strop and some chromium oxide paste. This is excellent and affordable system for doing light touch ups on your razor. It will only cost you around $20 and can keep a great edge on a nice razor for years."

I just wanted a wider opinion on this - would the suggested method last long and be comfortable to shave? How does it compare to other options such as sending the razor to be professionally honed or purchasing some hone stones to hone myself. What is the best affordable quality ratio?

Thanks for any advice in advance!

You will get good maintenance from CrO on strop, but you can't get a quality strop and CrO for $20.

Check out SRD for strop options, they also sell CrO, I think it would be best to give them a call and talk to them about your options.

Eventually you will need to put the razor to a stone, if you are diligent and do not let the edge degrade past the finishing stone touch up, you will be fine with just that set up. If your edge degrades further you will either have to send the blade to be pro honed or buy some lower grit stones.

Originally Posted by sharp101

"If you only own one razor (especially a nicely honed, new Dovo razor like this one), I think purchasing hones to do touch ups is overkill. I would recommend purchasing a linen strop and some chromium oxide paste. This is excellent and affordable system for doing light touch ups on your razor. It will only cost you around $20 and can keep a great edge on a nice razor for years."

I just wanted a wider opinion on this - would the suggested method last long and be comfortable to shave?

The statement that a pasted strop will maintain a razor for years without honing is ludicrous... unless you have peach fuzz for stubble.
I wonder if the seller has even owned a razor for years to make such a statement.
Probably the best option is to buy a barber hone or synthetic 8k-12k stone for touchups.

It's your choice what and where you purchase, and it's your face that's going to pay the price of not doing your homework. And frankly in this case you haven't.

Please find a different vendor.