How to Sharpen a Straight Razor Step by Step for 2023

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Today we are going to discuss how to sharpen a straight razor or cut throat razor. Sharpening is also known as honing.

Unlike some other shaving techniques, straight razor shaving completely removes every strand of hair and leaves the surface smooth and fresh and therefore you will get the best possible shave.

One of the benefits of straight razors is that it lasts a lifetime. However, by doing this, there comes a time in your life when you need to learn and understand how to sharpen a straight razor yourself.

As they say, sharpening your razors takes time and practice, and acquired skills you’ll need to master sooner or later.

Since you don’t change blades, all you have to do is keep the blade you have sharp, and you can use it anytime. Doing this will save you some complications that can arise from using a blunt razor.

A straight razor should be routinely groomed so that it, in turn, will provide the best care for your facial hair.

Here are a few expert tips on straight razor sharpening and keeping your own straight razor in tip-top condition at home.

Stropping Vs Honing

When it comes to caring for your straight razor, there are two separate steps: stropping and honing.

Stropping is the more basic method of maintaining the blade, while honing is more about sharpening and fine-tuning the edge.

While some men insist on stropping their blades immediately before each use, in most cases, it is only necessary to strop after every five to ten shaves for the best possible shave.

On the other hand, you only have to sharpen/honing every few months or even once a year, depending on how thick your facial hair is and how often use your own straight razor.

Stropping Types

there are many ways to strop a razor. Before we realize how tricky the context is for that metaphor, let’s talk about the different types of strops you can use daily.

1. Hanging Strop

The most commonly used stropping tool, the hanging sling consists of a piece of leather and a strip of canvas attached to a hook at the end. The suspension tape is then attached to a wall or hard surface to secure during use.

Also, suspension straps can vary in length and width. The widths can range from 2 ″ to 3 ″, the latter eliminating the need to perform an X pattern when strapping.

As you will read later, an X pattern trimming the blade at an angle to strip the entire cutting edge.

Plus, hanging strops can vary wildly in price, meaning you can find one for almost any budget.

Usually, this is due to the type of leather used to make the sling and canvas material.

2. Paddle Strop

Various straight razor paddle strops are pieces of wood with leather strips glued to the side by a handle. Different types of paddle strops are available. Some have one or two sides to swing, while others cover all four.

Generally, paddle strops are preferred by honing lovers as you can have different materials on each side. You can also stick on some sides while keeping others clear. Since they are much smaller, they are more challenging to control than hanging strops but useful in confined spaces.

They are also quite rare nowadays, and it is not uncommon for enthusiasts to make them at home.

However, you can sometimes find vintage models, but these require significant restoration work.

3. Whetstone

Whetstone, sharpening stone, honing stone, it’s all identical. For most of them, you want to use some fluid. There are oil stones and water stones.

We’ll target the water stone these days. The stone I recommend is a combination of 4000 and 8000 gritstone.

The reduced the grit, the much more metal it will consider off. So if your blade has no edge at all, you want to use a reduced gritstone, and if it’s obtaining fairly sharp, you need to use a larger gritstone. As long as we take care of our blade, we should be fine with the 4k/8k for now.

If your blade doesn’t come presently sharpened, you’ll almost certainly want a reduced grit stone to set the bevel, which is incredibly important.

In the potential, if you want, you can get an even larger grit stone to get our blades extra sharp or a lower grit stone to carry back an additional dull edge. After your blade is extra sharp, then you could polish it off with our chromium oxide paste and a strop.

One thing to note is that the sharper the blade, the more cautious we have to be because the metal is getting thinner, thus sharper. It becomes simpler to break.

4. Loom Strop

Like Hanging Strop mentioned in the list above, Loom strops are similar to paddle strops except that the leather is not glued to a wooden block. Instead, a leather strap wraps around a metal bracket, which locks it in place.

The advantage of loom strops is that you can mechanically adjust the tension for extra versatility. It’s a handy alternative that retains all of its benefits for those who don’t like hanging straps. It is also easy to replace the leather strip as it is used over time.

Like paddle strops, they are relatively rare, but as Herold points out, they are becoming popular again.

How to Sharpen a Straight Razor With a Strop Step by Step

The main essence of stropping a straight razor is that it aligns the edge of the razor. This is something you should do before every shave to have a great experience. Every time you tie your blade before use, you will feel the results – using a sharp razor immediately implies quality results.

A sling consists of two components: a leather lace and a fabric lace. The fabric side has the task of removing everything that could damage the leather, such as metal fragments, soap, etc. While the leather, which usually has a smoother surface, does the main job of the razor.

Since you would strop before every shave, it is essential to check the stropping, and it is explained in the following steps:

1. Hang up one end of the strop and hold it taut in your path

In purchase to make the stropping straightforward and decrease the probability of cutting into the leather, you have to be conscious of your positioning. Usually, you must incline the strop in such a method that it points in the direction of you in a downward path at about a 45-degree angle. This is highly a good idea, especially when if you are commencing to strop.

In actual truth, the location of the anchor level is not an incredibly huge deal, but you’ve received to make sure that it doesn’t move when you are stropping. Examples of great anchors contain towel bars and door handles. Also, if you are using a loom strop or paddle, you would need to location 1 finish on a firm surface. Then lift although holding the handle so that the strop ends up at about an angle of 30°. Here is a pictorial denotation of this.

2. Slide the razor along the strop in the route opposite from you

The best straight razor’s spine must be pointing in the opposite path from you, although the edge ought to be pointed towards you. You must also preserve the blade slightly elevated this kind of that the edge comes in touch with the strop at a slight angle.

After carrying out this, push the razor away from your route, although applying light pressure. Push the razor until finally the real end of the strop in purchase to cover the blade.

3. Flip the razor above at the end of the strop

When you have gotten to the end of the strop, from stage two over, turn the razor above this kind of that the spine now factors in your route. Also, ensure that the blade remains in contact with the strop when rolling the razor between your fingers throughout the flipping method. Maintaining get in touch within between the strop, and the blade might be quite technical, but you would get used to it with practice. Moreover, this tends to make you’re stropping a lot much more efficient and efficient. Here’s a single of the causes to usually turn your blade.

4. Carry the razor towards you

Pull the razor downwards to inform the bottom of the strop spine very first. While doing this, ensure that you do not apply any more strain than you did when moving the blade up the strop. Also, maintain that slight angle mentioned earlier with the strop, so the edge and the leather remain in getting in touch with down. On getting to the bottom, flip the razor and carry it back up along the leather.

Repeat this procedure for about 10-15 more instances. If you pass the blade along the strop’s fabric side first, you would use this same method and repeat ten-15 occasions.

5. Use an X pattern on two-inch (5cm) strops

Just like when honing, the X-pattern is also applicable to stropping. This is primarily because the models of strops accessible are not wide adequate to cover the entire length of the razor’s blade. This implies that you would also require to slide it sideways when sliding your blade up and down the strop, so the strop covers the entire blade length. The easiest way to do this involves moving the blade in the right path when moving it away from you than in the direction of the left when you’re pulling it back in the course of you.

How to Hone a Straight Razor With Whetstone Step by Step

Just like stropping, only hone when you can invest the time and patience. However, it will require more of the two. Rushing can lead to disastrous results and even require completely resetting the bevel. This is achieved with a 1000 grit, which is greatest carried out by an expert.

1. Soak Your Stone

Before starting, leave your stone submerged in water for at least 15 minutes. This will soften the surface to make it simpler to hone and develop what is known as a slurry. Occasionally, this is referred to as (lapping), but that is the technique of flattening a new stone if it is uneven.

2. Spot Your Stone On A Flat Surface

Most stones come with a rubber mat or case so they won’t slide close to when utilized. If not, try to locate a reasonably rough surface so it won’t move. Spot it straight in front of you so you will not strain like you would a strop.

3. Position Your Razor Blade

As opposed to stropping, honing goes blade first. As a result, take added care when performing this. If you slip and the blade digs into the stone, you might have to begin again from scratch. Has the razor positioned entirely flat, making sure that the shoulder touches but doesn’t run towards the rock? If the shoulder mounts the sand, it can make your hone uneven.

Spot your fingers evenly across the spine and only apply light stress. A lot more you press, the much more metal is eliminated from the cutting edge. Keep this in thoughts dependent on your finish objective.

4. Run The Blade Down Your Stone

Keep in mind to stick to an X pattern as stones are frequently narrow. Make positive that you apply equal pressure across the spine but minimize it as you go. Perform slowly and even reduce the speed as when you would strop.

Moreover, you’ll realize that honing slowly reduces the quantity of stone. Eventually, you’ll dress in it down, but this will take time. Nevertheless, following an X pattern avoids warping the hone also significantly to ensure that you keep a flat surface.

5. Rolling The Blade

Just like stropping, you’ll want to roll the blade very carefully. Very very carefully turn it with the spine keeping make contact with against the stone. Avoid the blade’s cutting edge touching the stone at all fees.

6. Carry The Blade Back and Repeat

Gradually deliver the module back while applying the identical sum of pressure as the very first trip. As soon as you’ve finished the lap, return to the commencing place. You may now be asking how numerous laps ought to you do for a wholly honed razor?

In short, as diverse as it will take is the reply. Nevertheless, you ought to frequently test the blade with your thumb to see how you’re performing. Over-honing a razor can be disastrous and demand getting rid of a good deal of metal to restore the damage.

Typically, close to 10 laps ought to suffice, but it depends on the two of your goals and the state of your razor. Another reason why several folks favor coticules is simply that they give the consumer feedback when the blade is ready. This is felt by a sensation of suction on the draw.

FAQs About Sharpen a Straight Razor