Razor Honing

Although stropping can maintain the edge of a straight razor for quite some time, sooner or later the edge will have to be honed on a special honing stone.  This is because stropping, especially with pastes or powders, gradually rounds the flat bevel left by honing on a stone, and the razor will begin to feel dull and below optimum.  The length of time between honing sessions varies depending on a number of factors, such as how often you shave and how strong your beard is - it may be from once to three times a year, for example.

I am pleased to be able to offer a honing service for straight razors, whether the razor has been bought from me or from somewhere else.  I use high-quality stones that are intended for use with straight razors and all honing (sometimes referred to as sharpening) is by hand.  The cost of the service depends on what needs to be done to restore the razor to a shave-ready condition, but iI think that you will find me very competetive for a UK service. 

The two most basic services are for carbon steel or stainless steel hollow ground razors and includes resetting the bevel angle on low-grit stones and working up to a 16,000 grit finishing stone before stropping on one of my hand-made hanging or paddle strops.  The finished razor will be shave-ready on return and will pass the so-called Hanging Hair Test (please note that this is a very subjective test though: hairs vary from person-to-person and the only real test is shaving with the razor - I use my own hair as a benchmark as this has proven extremely reliable for my way of working).  This basic service does not include cleaning and polishing or re-pinning - just honing and stropping.  The basic service has two tiers for carbon-steel razors and two tiers for stainless steel razors - one for razors with a value up to £41, and one for razors that are worth more than £41 up to a maximum of £100 - the difference is the insured value of the return shipping.  I can quote for razors which need to be insured for more than £100 - please contact me.

As well as honing, the following faults can be rectified:

• edge defects such as nibbles, dings, fleabites - call them what you will! - can be honed out before the bevel is reset
• honing faults such as frowns (a depression in the cutting edge - the blade is thinner in the middle than at either end) can be removed
• light tarnishing can be polished out

For wedge-type razors and other defects the price will be higher - please contact me for details.

I can quote for any/all of the above from a good set of hi-resolution pictures and a description of what is required.