How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (2024)

How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat RazorsCharles-Philippe2020-08-24T05:36:51-04:00

If you’re a proud owner of a straight razor, you’re likely aware that sharpening it is a requirement. Newcomers to straight razors are often overwhelmed at all the different approaches to maintaining a razor’s cutting edge.

Furthermore, there are lots of terms like “stropping” and “honing”. So what’s the difference and what do you need to do? In the following guide, you will learn all the techniques required to keep your razor-sharp as well as the best tools to use:

  • Top 10 Best Straight Razor Sharpening Tools
  • How Do I Know When My Razor Is Sharp Enough?
  • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor With A Strop
  • Caring For Your Strop
  • How To Hone A Straight Razor

You can use the links above to jump ahead or scroll down to read it all!

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Top 10 Best Tools For Sharpening A Straight Razor

Before we get into the gritty details (pun intended) of how to use the various tools for keeping your razor sharp, let’s briefly cover the best ones. We’ll later go into their functions and how to integrate them into your routine.

Each of the following is easily available on Amazon through trusted sellers. The following top 10 straight razor sharpening tools will all be useful in maintaining it according to the methods that you choose:

  1. Best Beginner’s Strop: Fromm Illinois Cowhide Strop
  2. Everyday Strop: RoyalShave Red Latigo Strop
  3. Premium Stop: Dovo Calfskin Leather Strop
  4. Paddle Strop: Green Elephant Paddle Strop
  5. Full Honing Set: Sharp Pebble Complete Honing Set
  6. Best General Hone: Norton 24336 4000/8000 Waterstone
  7. Best Finishing Stone: Naniwa 12000 Specialty Stone
  8. Traditional Finishing Stone: Ardennes Coticule
  9. Additional Grit: Woodstock Green Compound Block
  10. Stone Maintenance: Sharp Pebble Flattening Stone

Simply click on one above to jump straight to it or keep scrolling to discover them all.

1. Fromm Illinois 2.5″ IRS127 Cowhide Leather Strop

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  • Country Of Origin: USA
  • Material: Cowhide Leather & Linen
  • Grit: NA
  • Width: 2.5″ (6.35 cm)
  • Length: 23″(58.42 cm)
  • Price: $36

Every straight razor shaver needs to own at least one strop for their daily needs. However, you will learn that it comes with a certain learning curve. This means that your first strop may well get scuffed or damaged over time.

For instance, we’ll talk about how to properly roll your razor when stropping, which doesn’t come instinctively. Therefore, your first strop should be something not overly expensive while still offering good quality. This will give you the opportunity to practice and learn before moving onto something more premium.

Fromm Illinois has an excellent reputation for providing high-quality strops at very reasonable prices. Their cowhide leather is paired with a linen canvas for a complete stropping service. The leather gives a relatively light draw and needs very little time for breaking in.

Being only 2.5″ wide, you will need to learn how to strop with an X pattern. This won’t be easy at first, but our guide below will help you prepare for it. There are cheaper, narrower sizes available but it will be much harder to master so early on.

Finally, at $36 on Amazon, the Illinois by Fromm offers excellent value. Furthermore, when you move onto a more premium model, it will be an excellent choice for using with pastes.

"An excellent beginner-friendly strop that offers great quality and value for money for the price."

Bespoke Unit Rating: ★★★★★

2. RoyalShave 3″ Red Latigo Leather Strop

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  • Country Of Origin: USA
  • Material:Latigo Leather
  • Grit: NA
  • Width:3″ (7.62 cm)
  • Length: 17″(43.18 cm)
  • Price: $65

A small US-based company, RoyalShave supply high-quality yet affordable strops. This particular model is made from Latigo leather, which makes it a much finer surface for stropping. The leather is heavy and the strop is made from interchangeable parts for when it begins wearing down.

Furthermore, it’s a full 3″ wide, which means that you won’t need to perform an X pattern when stropping. Therefore, it’s also a shorter strop than the Illinois as you won’t need to go as far in a straight line. This strop’s draw is quite heavy, which is satisfying to most users but also needs a little time to properly break-in.

Meanwhile, the canvas side is made from ballistic-weave nylon. This durable fabric is very thick with no hanging threads for a smooth stropping experience. You can even cover one side with paste to gently hone down some material when needed.

Despite being twice the price than the Illinois, the leather quality is far superior. You can pick up a 3″ Red Latigo strop from RoyalShave on Amazon for $65.

3. Dovo Calfskin Leather Strop

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Dovo is a renowned German manufacturer best known for its straight razors. However, its calfskin leather strop is an excellent specimen, too. Crafted from rich European calfskin leather, it offers clean smoothness for just the right level of resistance when stropped. It’ll also last you a lifetime!

You’ll notice that it doesn’t have a handle but a metal bar instead. Some users argue that it’s easier for having a firm hold. Meanwhile, the ring turns so you can easily flip from the rough to the smooth side.

We ought to highlight that it’s a very narrow strop and also quite short. Therefore, beginners may find it challenging as it requires a good “x” technique, which we describe below. That being said, its compact size is excellent for travelling.

4. Green Elephant Paddle Strop

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  • Country Of Origin: Not Listed
  • Material: Cowhide Leather & Diamond
  • Grit: 0.5 Micron
  • Width: 2.4″ (6 cm)
  • Length: 11.4″ (29 cm)
  • Price: $62

For those seeking to sample a paddle strop, Green Elephant produces an excellent specimen that is made for a variety of knives. However, it excels at stropping straight razors.

Firstly, it is made from a 0.13″ strip of vegetable-tanned natural cowhide leather, which is featured on both sides. While this may be small for men used to larger strops, the smaller working area means that it’s convenient for tight spaces.

Similarly, it is supplied with a syringe filled with a water-soluble diamond paste. This small addition allows you to apply some to one side in order to have a sharper finish thanks to its 0.5-micron fineness.

5. Sharp Pebble Complete Honing Set

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  • Country Of Origin: Unlisted
  • Material: Various
  • Grit: 1,000 – 6,000 +
  • Width: 3″ (7.62 cm)
  • Length: 8″ (20.32 cm)
  • Price: $55

If you’re looking to invest in a complete and affordable set for sharpening a straight razor, Sharp Pebble offers a solid choice. Its set comes complete with a leather strop, a 1,000 and 6,000 combination grit, and green compound.

If you’re new to honing, the 1,000 grit isn’t particularly useful and it’s best reserved for kitchen knives or repairing a faulty cutting edge. However, the leather strop works very well with the green compound. Similarly, the 6,000 grit can be used when the razor starts to tug on hairs.

The entire kit stacks neatly and is equipped with non-slip mats as well as a silicone frame. However, it’s important to note that it’s very small and is best used as part of a honing project rather than regular stropping.

6. Norton 24336 Japanese-Style Combination Waterstone 4000/8000

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  • Country Of Origin: USA
  • Material: Aluminium Oxide
  • Grit: 4000 & 8000
  • Width:3″ (7.62 cm)
  • Length:8″(20.32 cm)
  • Price: $94

For those looking to try honing, you’ll learn later that there are a number of factors to keep in mind. Firstly, you need to consider the grits that you will need and to make sure that you’re properly equipped.

Many whetstones on the market just aren’t suitable for straight razors as they’re not refined enough. However, Norton produces some of the best products available for sharpening any blade and their 4000/8000 combination stone covers all the bases. In fact, it’s a far better option than the kit above.

With this particular waterstone, you’ll have the necessary grits to both properly sharpen and polish your razor blade. Theoretically, aside from your strop, you shouldn’t need anything else for honing. However, it is recommended to invest in a paste or finishing stone at the very least.

Finally, at $95 on Amazon, a waterstone is quite the investment. Aside from the skill required, this is the primary reason why many people choose to get their razors professionally honed. However, if you do make the leap, you are best opting for Norton to avoid damaging your razor with an inferior stone.

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  • Country Of Origin: Japan
  • Material: Aluminium Oxide
  • Grit: 12000
  • Width:2.75″ (7 cm)
  • Length:8.27″(10 cm)
  • Price: $90

If you don’t want to completely hone your razor, you could consider a finishing stone instead. With its much higher grit, you can use this particular stone to touch up the blade every few months. This will significantly delay the need for a complete honing service.

Using a finishing stone is a great way to learn honing technique in a low-risk way that isn’t time-consuming. Typically, you can choose between coticules and waterstones.

However, coticules are natural stones, which can sometimes vary in grit and quality. Conversely, Naniwa produces high-quality synthetic waterstones, which are designed to always give a consistent grit.

With just a few passes on the Naniwa 12000, you’ll be able to correct any larger imperfections in a blade than can’t be achieved through stropping. It will also help you learn the basics to honing, which can be a useful stepping stone.

Much like any high-quality waterstone, the Naniwa is somewhat expensive at $90 on Amazon. However, it provides the best possible quality and will not let you down.

8. Ardennes-Coticule ARD212 Whetstone

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  • Country Of Origin: Belgium
  • Material: Sedimentary Rock
  • Grit: 8000
  • Width: 2″ (5.1 cm)
  • Length: 8″ (20.3 cm)
  • Price: $160

As mentioned above, coticules vary in grit as they’re a natural product. However, good-quality coticules are often lauded for produces the best possible finish on a razor’s cutting edge.

Coticules are extracted and cut by hand from sedimentary rock that has formed for millions of years. It’s a mixture of volcanic ash and clay that is lined with hard garnet crystals, which is only found between thin seams between layers of slate.

As it’s very fragile, the extraction process is labour-intensive. Therefore, it’s no surprise that they’re quite expensive. Although the measurable grit varies, they’re very fine when humidified to produce and thick slurry. Otherwise, they can be somewhat coarser when used dry.

If you’re looking for an exceptional and unbeatable finishing stone, a Belgian coticule is undoubtedly the best one to buy. As coticules are quite expensive, it can be tempting to buy a small one.

However, we strongly recommend that you avoid doing so. We aren’t exaggerating when we say that small coticules are tiny. In fact, they’re so small that they’re barely usable unless you really know what you’re doing.

9. Woodstock Green Compound Block

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  • Country Of Origin: USA
  • Material: Chromium Oxide
  • Grit: 0.5 Micron
  • Width:NA
  • Length:NA
  • Price: $17.50

When looking for pastes, there are many to choose from. On top of that, their grits greatly vary between manufacturers with different colours and nomenclatures. However, for daily use, you’ll want something that adds a fine abrasive touch to your stropping without being too aggressive.

Applying the paste to your strop is much like using a finishing stone depending on its grit. This particular chromium oxide compound gives 0.5 microns, which is the most universal choice to cover most of your needs.

A few swipes with this every two or three weeks will ensure that the cutting edge stays properly aligned before you begin stropping. Furthermore, this is an enormous block actually destined for buffing wheels. Therefore, you’ll get a lot of product, which will last years for all your shaving needs.

At $17.50 on Amazon, it’s also much cheaper than many smaller blocks. However, just bear in mind that this isn’t as pure as some smaller blocks so the grit will be somewhat coarser.

10. Sharp Pebble Flattening Stone

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  • Country Of Origin: Unlisted
  • Material: Silicon Carbide
  • Grit: 120 – 900
  • Width: 2.8″ (7.1 cm)
  • Length: 7.8″ (20 cm)
  • Price: $26

Sharpening stones wear with regular use over time. Eventually, the stones may become uneven with a slightly wavy appearance, which can damage a razor if you continue to use it.

However, this doesn’t mean that you need to throw away the stone! On the contrary, you simply need to flatten it. Therefore, a flattening stone is an excellent investment.

If your stones are showing a lot of wear, you can use the lower 120-grit side to remove a lot of material. Otherwise, the 320 grit side will leave a smooth finish so you can easily start using your stone again.

What’s The Difference Between Stropping & Honing?

How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (15)As a general rule, shaving with a straight razor is a wonderful experience. However, you may one day experience a dull scraping feeling across your cheeks, which is unpleasant, to say the least.

This is known as “tugging” and is a clear indication that your razor has become too dull to cut your hair. If you are a newcomer to straight razors, you may have heard of different techniques for sharpening a razor such as “stropping” or “honing”.

Whilst achieving the same end goal, both are two very distinct processes and need to be done at different times. Nevertheless, you’ll need to regularly strop your razor to keep it sharp and your razor will need honing one day too.

One of the most common questions among newcomers to straight razors is the difference between stropping and honing. However, it’s nothing to feel ashamed of as it’s one of the broadest and most confusing subjects in straight razor shaving.

Over time, a razor’s edge will microscopically curl back when used, which makes it dull. After all, human hair has the tensile strength of copper. Therefore, it needs regular touching up to keep it sharp enough for shaving.

In short, the difference can be defined as follows:

  • Stropping: Realigns the cutting edge
  • Honing: Creates a cutting edge or “bevel”

In order to know what your razor needs, you must identify its current state of sharpness. When sharpening a razor, you start at a particular grit then work all the way up to stropping.How dull it has become dictates what level of grit to start from. You can more-or-less break this down into 4 general treatments:

  • Stropping (~50k Grit): Daily preparation for the cutting edge before a shave.
  • Finishing (10-12k Grit):Maintaining the razor’s edge every few months.
  • Polishing (8k Grit):Straightening the edge after intermediate use.
  • Sharpening (~4k Grit):Resetting the blade’s bevel after long or misuse.

You’ll learn about what tools you need for each of these processes and how to properly use them as we progress through this guide.

How Do I Know If My Razor Is Sharp Enough?

There are several ways to test whether your razor is sharp enough for shaving. The first and most obvious method is the Shave Test, which just requires you trying it. However, this isn’t very convenient as you might find yourself with a face full of lather and a dull razor.

Therefore, this should be done when you are confident that your razor is ready. Before then, you can try two other methods:

Arm Hair Test

You can use the arm hair test during any stage of sharpening a razor. Simply use it to shave off hair on your arm against the grain. Since the hair is quite fine here, it will be easy to tell how shave ready your razor is and whether it needs more work.

Thumb Pad Test

Like the arm hair test, this can be done at any time but is better when working with lower grinds. Carefully run your thumb across the cutting edge (not along!) to feel how sharp it is.

If it tickles smoothly against your thumb like a sharp knife, it isn’t ready yet. If the tickling sensation slightly grips at your thumb’s fingerprints then you can consider an arm test to see if it’s ready. However, if it responds to every bump and tries to dig in, it may be over-honed.

Stropping Types & Accessories

Like skinning a cat, there are many ways to strop a razor. Before we realise how uncomfortable the context is for that metaphor, let’s talk about the different types of strops you can use on a daily basis.

Hanging Strop

How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (16)The most frequently-used stropping tool, the hanging strop consists of a length of leather and a strip a canvas attached to a hook at the end. The hanging strop is then attached to a wall or hard surface to be pulled tight when used.

Furthermore, hanging strops can vary in length and width. Widths can range from 2″ to 3″ of which the latter negates the need to perform an X pattern when stropping.

As you will read later, an X pattern is the act of the blade being stropped at an angle in order to strop the entire cutting edge.

Furthermore, hanging strops can range greatly in price, which means that you can find one for almost any budget. Usually, this is due to the type of leather used to make the strop as well as the canvas material.

Paddle Strop

How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (17)Paddle strops are lengths of wood with leather strips glued on the side held by a handle. There are several varieties of paddle strop available. Some feature one or two sides for stropping whilst others cover all four.

Overall, paddle strops are favoured by honing enthusiasts as they allow you to have different materials on each side. You can also paste some sides whilst keeping others clear. Being much smaller, they’re harder to master then hanging strops but convenient in enclosed spaces.

They’re also quite rare today and it’s not uncommon for enthusiasts to make them at home. However, you can sometimes find vintage models but they will require considerable restoration work.

Loom Strop

Loom strops are similar to paddle strops except that the leather isn’t glued onto a wooden block. Instead, a leather band is wrapped around a metal bracket, which braces it in place.

The advantage of loom strops is that you can adjust the tension mechanically for added versatility. For those that don’t like using hanging strops, it’s a convenient alternative that preserves all its advantages. It’s also easy to replace the leather strip as it gets used over time.

Like paddle strops, they’re a relatively rare commodity. One used to be featured in this guide. However, it’s sadly no longer produced anymore.

Leather & Alternative Material Varieties

Although leather isn’t graded like shaving brushes, the different varieties usually indicate their quality. However, bear in mind that a cheaply sourced English bridle leather may not perform as well as premium cowhide!

In order of value, you can expect the following types of leather:

  • Newspaper
  • Balsa Wood
  • Cowhide
  • Red Latigo
  • Vegan
  • Buffalo
  • Kangaroo
  • Cordovan
  • English Bridle

You may have noticed the mention of newspaper and balsa wood in the above list. In fact, newspaper is a surprisingly effective stropping surface when wrapped around a wooden block as the ink is abrasive. Meanwhile, balsa wood is a cheap option that may not berecommended for everyday use but absorbs pastes very well.

What Are Pastes & How Can They Be Used For Stropping?

How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (18)Finishing pastes are an extremely useful addition to any shaving arsenal as it reduces the need for honing. By reserving a strop for pastes or using one of the strops’ surfaces, you can add an extra abrasive layer for touching up your cutting edge.

There are various ways to identify the paste’s grit grade, which is sometimes indicated by its colour or micron. However, these can greatly vary between manufacturers so it’s hard to provide a standardised list.

Generally, most people use green chromium oxide or red pastes, which vary between 0.5 and 1 micron respectively. Adding a thin layer of these can help touch up your razor without using a stone. There are also diamond sprays that provide the same effect.

However, take care with its usage and remember that when a strop is pasted, it’s forever.

How To Sharpen A Straight Razor With A Strop

Follow these step-by-step instructions on how to sharpen a straight razor with a strop:

  1. Set Up The Strop & Hold It Tightly
  2. Place The Straight Razor Blade Correctly
  3. Run The Blade Down The Strop
  4. Roll Your Straight Razor Blade
  5. Run The Razor Back Towards The Starting Point
  6. Repeat The Steps Above Until The Blade Is Sharp

Only strop your razor when you have time to spare. Never rush as this can inadvertently cause slip-ups that may damage your razor’s bevel or cut into the leather. Remember to be patient and not to rush like they do in the movies.

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1. Set Up The Strop & Hold It Tightly

If you’re using a hanging razor, ensure that it’s attached to a sturdy surface. You don’t want to pull on a hook in a wall for it to come out or against furniture that will tip over. Pull it tightly but not to the point that your knuckles go white. However, you want the leather to be perfectly flat against the blade. If it isn’t taut, a sloping strop can actually roll the edge and dull the blade.

If you’re using a paddle strop, hold it tightly so it doesn’t droop when applying pressure. Likewise, bench strops should be on a hard surface and loom strops should be tense.

2. Correctly Place The Blade

How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (20)Open the razor at 180° and place it at the nearest base of the strop with the blade facing towards you. Hold it by pinching with your thumb on the back on the shank and your forefinger on its underside.

If the strop is wide enough for the whole blade, make sure it’s in the centre. If the stropping surface is too narrow, flatly place the shoulder against the strop.

You want the blade and the spine to lie flatly on the leather. The spine must never rise up or you’ll roll the bevel. Always make sure that it stays perfectly flat making contact on both ends.

Make sure that the razor’s shoulder (the lip near the shank) never rests on the strop as this can cause irregularities along the cutting edge.

3. Run The Blade Down The Strop

Applying onlyverylight pressure, run the blade down to the far end of the strop. Make sure that the blade always stays flat against the stropping surface. Remember to take all the time you need. If you zip up and down, you will struggle to make sure that you’re using the proper technique. It’s harder to correct a faulty technique later on than learn properly from the start.

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If your strop width covers the entire razor, go in a straight line. However, if it’s too narrow, you’ll have to use an X-pattern. As the animation above illustrates, this involves running the blade in a diagonal line so that the strop comes into contact with the entire cutting edge.

4. Roll Your Razor

Once you get to the far end, you’ll need to turn the razor for the cutting edge to face away from you. This technique is known as rolling or turning the razor. However, it shouldn’t be confused with the aforementioned mistake of rolling the cutting edge.

To roll a razor, you carefully turn it with your thumb and forefinger so the cutting edge rises to the top and faces you. Never turn it for the blade turn towards the leather.This can damage both the cutting edge and your precious strop.

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To help you do this, always think about keeping the spine in contact with the strop surface. Imagine that it’s fixed to the surface like a magnet and only the blade can lift freely from the leather.

5. Draw The Razor Back Towards You & Return To Your Starting Point

Now that the blade is facing away from you, position it in the same way as when you started. When ready, draw it back in a similar, controlled movement.

Once you have arrived, roll it so that the blade is facing away from you again. Re-position it for another pass.

6. Repeat On All Surfaces &How Many Passes On A Strop?

Most strops come with several surfaces on which you can pass the razor. We used the leather as an example in the above exercise. Nevertheless, it’s better that you begin with the canvas side.

Firstly, the canvas side will clean any debris and collected dust before you expose the razor to the blade. Secondly, it also heats up the razor making it less brittle, which could cause micro-fissures when stropped.

Depending on the product, you can also paste the underside of the canvas or leather for touching up beforehand. Just make sure the blade is cleaned before stropping against leather.

When stropping, you can consider the following number of full passes (round trips):

  • 15 on pasted surface [optional]
  • 30 on canvas
  • 50 on leather strop

The above figures vary greatly depending on the quality of both the strop and razor. Over time, you’ll be able to experiment with your straight razor and strop to see how many really makes a difference.

Caring For Your Strop

Like any leather, strops needs regular care to keep them in good shape. A poorly maintained strop can crack and warp over time. However, you can’t use any polish given that you will apply the razor to your face.

Saddle soap is an excellent, natural option for cleaning leather strops. Creating a lather with this and washing it down will nourish it, which can be completed with a natural oil. For instance, even olive oil or neatsfoot are great options.

Meanwhile, the canvas can collect dirt and grime over time. A scrub with some soap works wonders.

Honing Types & Grits

How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (23)Now that you’re an expert on stropping, let’s cover the practice on honing. Generally, you can define honing as any sharpening practice that takes place on a stone or mineral-based block. We already touched on the difference between sharpening, polishing and finishing but let’s explore this in further detail.

If you’re serious about getting a full set of hones, you will need the following grits at the very least:

  • 4000 Sharpening Stone
  • 8000 Polishing Stone
  • 12000 Finishing Stone

Overall, the best choice for newcomers is often a synthetic waterstone to ensure consistent results. These are usually made from minerals that are bound together with aluminium oxide. Like the Norton mentioned above, you can often find combination stones, which feature different grinds on each side.

We recommend opting for one of these as they are an excellent general purpose choice that should cover most of your needs.

Note that not all sharpening stones provide the same quality. Although there are many in low price ranges, they tend to be rougher than the Norton’s offering with a lower grade than advertised. The result is a less precise and more arduous honing experience.

Additionally, some cheaper stones aren’t lapped, which means that they haven’t been carefully flattened down before shipping. Although you can do this at home, it isn’t recommended and honing with an unlapped stone can leave an uneven finish.

What Are Coticules?

How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (24)Many variations of stone exist including natural whetstones such as Belgian Blues and Coticules. These are highly sought after stones mined in Ardennes with natural properties for a high-quality hone and finish.

Cut from sedimentary rock, coticules have existed from centuries in Western Europe. They are considered an extremely versatile option as you can create a slurry so that they’re more effective. However, they’re hard to master and require some years of experience to use properly without damaging your razor.

Whilst Belgian blues are excellent for sharpening, extra fine coticules can provide a great finish of about 12k or more. Due to their natural origins, they’re also very expensive and larger coticules can cost a small fortune. Yet, they have a strong following and many would argue that it’s worth the investment.

How To Hone A Straight Razor

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Frowning & uneven cutting edges due to poor honing.

Just like stropping, only hone when you can invest the time and patience. However, it will require more of both. Rushing can lead to disastrous results and even require entirely resetting the bevel. This is achieved with a 1000 grit, which is best done by a professional.

1. Soak Your Stone

Before beginning, leave your stone submerged in water for at least 15 minutes. This will soften the surface to make it easier to hone and create what is known as a slurry. Occasionally, this is referred to as “lapping” but that is actually the technique of flattening a new stone if it’s uneven.

2. Place Your Stone On A Flat Surface

Most stones come with a rubber mat or case so they won’t slide around when used. If not, try to find a relatively rough surface so it won’t move. Place it directly in front of you so you won’t strain like you would a strop.

3. Position Your Razor Blade

Unlike stropping, honing goes blade first. Therefore, take extra care when doing this. If you slip and the blade digs into the stone, you may have to start again from scratch. Have the razor placed perfectly flat making sure that the shoulder touches but doesn’t rub against the stone. If the shoulder mounts the stone, it can make your hone uneven.

Place your fingers evenly across the spine and only apply light pressure. The more you press, the more metal is removed from the cutting edge. Keep this in mind depending on your end goal.

4. Run The Blade Down Your Stone

Remember to follow an X pattern as stones are often narrow. Make sure that you apply equal pressure across the spine but reduce it as you go. Work slowly and even reduce the speed as when you would strop.

How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (26)

Furthermore, you’ll realise that honing slowly reduces the amount of stone. Eventually, you’ll wear it down but this takes time. Nevertheless, following an X pattern avoids warping the hone too much to ensure that you keep a flat surface.

5. Rolling The Blade

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

6. Bring The Blade Back & Repeat

Slowly bring the blade back whilst applying the same amount of pressure as the first trip. Once you’ve finished the lap, return to the starting position. You may now be asking how many laps should you do for a perfectly honed razor?

In short, as many as it takes is the answer. However, you should regularly test the blade with your thumb to see how you’re doing. Over-honing a razor can be disastrous and will require removing a lot of metal in order to repair the damage.

Generally, around 10 laps should suffice but it depends on both your objective and the state of your razor. Another reason why many people favour coticules is that they give the user feedback when the blade is ready. This is felt by a sensation of suction on the draw.

What Next?

Now that you have read all about stropping and honing, you should be an expert on straight razors! However, we may still have a lot more that you might want to learn. Simply head to our main shaving page to discover what we have to offer! We suggest the following guides:

  • How To Use Shaving Soap
  • Best Beard Brushes
  • How To Shave With A Straight Razor
  • How To Shave With A Safety Razor
  • Bespoke Unit Shaving Home

How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (27) How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (28)

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44 Comments

  1. How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (35)

    KillianJune 25, 2018 at 4:48 am - Reply

    Fantastic guide. I was really struggling on stropping and this helped a lot. I keep making small cuts in my strop. Any advice on what I’m doing wrong?

    • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (36)

      Charles-PhilippeJune 25, 2018 at 5:59 am - Reply

      Hi Killian,

      No worries!

      However, be careful, there! If you’re making small cuts on the strop, it means that you’re catching the blade in the leather. This means that you’re running the razor along it the wrong way, which might be happening when rolling it when you get the end.

      Make sure that when you roll it, you’re not turning the blade towards the strop but it’s actually the spine that stays on it. Use our animated gif above as a reference to what I mean.

      If the leather gets too chipped, you may have to replace it as it will be provide uneven stropping. If this is the case, head to our dedicated guide for the best strops. Furthermore, be careful with the razor blade as you may end up making it blunt by damaging the strop that way so consider getting it honed by a professional.

      Best,

      CP

  2. How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (37)

    PaulieOctober 26, 2018 at 12:56 pm - Reply

    What a great guide for beginners! I’m not so much a beginner more of a noob but great information. Thank you!

    • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (38)

      Charles-PhilippeOctober 26, 2018 at 1:40 pm - Reply

      Hi Paulie,

      Glad that we could be of help!

      All the best,

      CP

  3. How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (39)

    Keenly SharpNovember 10, 2018 at 11:36 am - Reply

    You might consider explaining just ‘why’ the directions of ‘grinding’ for stropping and honing are ‘opposite’ .. I.e., just whY do we hone with the stone cutting INTO the blade : ie, the spine of the blade FOLLOWS the leading sharp EDGE of the blade on the stone.

    It’s not a simple issue …

    Also, you might consider the benefits of honing on ‘diamond film’ affixed to a large thick section of plate glass …

    and thanks for the presentation!

    • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (40)

      Charles-PhilippeNovember 12, 2018 at 7:28 am - Reply

      Hi Keenly Sharp,

      You’re right that it’s not a simple issue. And you’re right, it looks like I completely omitted why the cutting edge should go first when honing. This page is due for an update so I’ll be sure to mention your points when it happens!

      Thanks for the feedback, it’s always appreciated!

      Best,

      CP

  4. How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (41)

    TrinhNovember 27, 2018 at 7:22 am - Reply

    I just wonder how to maintain and clean up for the honing stone or grindstone for ( straight razor )

    • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (42)

      Charles-PhilippeNovember 27, 2018 at 12:05 pm - Reply

      Hi Trinh,

      It’s a good question. Some people will use a very fine wire wool with WD-40 and paper towels. Meanwhile, if there’s only a little bit of grime, some washing up liquid and a scouring pad should do the trick. Otherwise, if it’s a little bevelled, you can rub it down with another soft sharpening stone.

      Hope this helps!

      Best,

      CP

  5. How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (43)

    JohnDecember 15, 2018 at 5:17 am - Reply

    I am a noob, using a paddle strop with Herold Soligen red strop paste. My question is after stropping my razor should wipe as much of the paste of the strop as possible with a dry, rag or just leave it and add more next time I strop?

    • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (44)

      Charles-PhilippeDecember 17, 2018 at 7:29 am - Reply

      Hi John,

      You can just leave it on there for the next use. However, if you’re new to stropping, I would strongly recommend using a hanging strop rather than a paddle. Paddle strops are hard to master and you might struggle to get a decent cutting edge.

      Best,

      CP

  6. How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (45)

    FreddieJanuary 26, 2019 at 6:51 pm - Reply

    Hi

    I have never honed a blade before and I would like to try it out with my new straight razor. A few questions:

    How do I know when to use each grit? For example you mention beginner’s should try out the 12k grit until lower grades are needed. How do we know when that time has come that I need a more aggressive grit?

    Do you recommend beginner’s sharpen their own blades with 4k and 8k grits?

    Does the paste replace the need for the 12k grit or should I use it the pasted strop after 12k honing.

    Thanks for your time.

    • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (46)

      Charles-PhilippeJanuary 29, 2019 at 7:31 pm - Reply

      Hi Freddie,

      I recommend that you start with the 12k until you’re comfortable enough to start using lower grits. Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to test other than by shaving with the razor. If it feels uncomfortable (tugs on the hairs), it means that it requires more honing and potentially with a lower grit.

      One way to check is by shaving your arm hairs while honing. However, they’re typically thinner so will only provide you with an inclining rather than certainty that the razor is sharp.

      The paste doesn’t necessarily replace the grit but you can use it after honing. If you’re not ready to start honing, the paste should prolong the cutting edge for longer rather than not using any at all.

      Best,

      CP

  7. How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (47)

    Ben ClayMarch 9, 2019 at 3:42 pm - Reply

    I am brand new to this whole thing, been wet shaving with double edge saftey razor for a long time though but now I have a new straight razor and I don’t know if I need to just strop it quite a bit to get a good cutting surface or if it needs to be initially honed (don’t have a wetstone yet). On the arm hair test it cuts beautifully, with almost no resistance at all, but it tugs like crazy on my facial hair. Does this mean it is probably sharp enough and just needs stropped more, or should I wait until I get a stone and try to hone it.

    • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (48)

      Charles-PhilippeMarch 11, 2019 at 6:22 am - Reply

      Hi Ben,

      It’s not always easy to know when a razor needs honing rather than stropping. However, tugging on the face like this is a good sign – especially if it passed the arm hair test.

      I presume that you’ve already tried stropping it. If so, you’ll struggle to get a cutting edge but stropping any more. It’s like that the razor you bought wasn’t “shave ready” so it needs a cutting edge defined.

      You could do this yourself. However, if you’re not comfortable doing this so soon, maybe you ought to ask a professional to do it instead?

      Best,

      CP

  8. How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (49)

    TheoNovember 6, 2019 at 12:14 am - Reply

    Hello,

    I’m curious what you mean by this (Step 3 under Honing):

    “Have the razor placed perfectly flat making sure that the shoulder touches but doesn’t rub against the stone.”

    How can the shoulder touch but not rub? Not understanding that.

    Thanks,
    Theo

    • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (50)

      Charles-PhilippeNovember 6, 2019 at 4:19 am - Reply

      Hi Theo,

      Basically, by this I mean that the objective is to have the razor’s shoulder touching the stone’s side but you must avoid putting pressure on it so it really rubs onto it. Make more sense?

      Best,

      CP

      • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (51)

        TheoNovember 6, 2019 at 3:53 pm - Reply

        Hi CP,

        Yep, that is kind of what I was imagining but just wanted to make sure I wasn’t misunderstanding.

        Thanks and best regards,

        Theo

        • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (52)

          Charles-PhilippeNovember 12, 2019 at 8:21 am - Reply

          Happy to help!
          Best,
          CP

  9. How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (53)

    RossJanuary 3, 2020 at 11:15 am - Reply

    I got a straight razor for Christmas. I’ve never used one before. Thank you for writing this guide! The razor I got was not sharp enough to even cut my arm hairs. I used a 3000/8000 stone, as well as a strop with paste on the suede side, followed by a lot of strokes on the smooth side. It got a lot better, it will even cut arm hairs off midway. The problem is the shave with it stunk. It left a lot of stubble behind and it was almost unusable on my chin.

    Should I expect the straight razor to be as sharp and effective as my safety razor? The safety razor is way way better.

    • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (54)

      Charles-PhilippeJanuary 3, 2020 at 11:27 am - Reply

      Hi Ross,

      While straight razors give a different tactile feedback to safety razor blades, they should cut just as well. It’s that your straight razor wasn’t remotely honed when purchased. This happens to a lot of us when we make our first purchase as it’s normal to expect it to be shave-ready! Unfortunately, it’s not always the case – especially when buying online.

      While you’ve probably done a great job of setting the blade, it probably needs a thorough job. This requires a lot of skill and patience that I don’t even have myself! I would recommend looking up a local professional. You can sometimes find them online on forums or even Google. Some proper retailers have their own services too.

      Even retailers that are far away will sometimes offer a mail service where you send the razors out. It’s well worth doing and it’ll mean a lot less maintenance for you as they will have fully set the edge and you just need to keep it in shape!

      Hope that this helps.

      Best,

      CP

      • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (55)

        RossJanuary 3, 2020 at 3:28 pm - Reply

        Yes. I was wondering if that would be the recommendation. I greatly appreciate your time and thoughtfulness.

        • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (56)

          Charles-PhilippeJanuary 6, 2020 at 3:38 am - Reply

          Happy to help, Ross! It would be great to hear how you get on!

    • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (57)

      MikeApril 5, 2022 at 2:35 pm - Reply

      It takes time to master bro….your not going to get a BVS your very first time using a straight razor sorry. And the chin area? Yeah takes practice! A lot of it!!

  10. How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (58)

    Tim HatfieldFebruary 27, 2020 at 11:53 am - Reply

    Maybe you can help. MY blades were getting dull faster than normal. I believe its because I started to use a cheaper strop. I tried to sharpen my blades with 1000, then 3000 then 4k, 8k and finish with 10k. The blade was sharp, passed the arm hair test, but would become dull after a few uses. I strop before every use. I was originally using a 4/8 stone and a quality strop and I literally would hone my blades with the stone once a year. I just bought a Bison Ezra Arthur Cordovan strop. Do you think I should go back to the 4/8 stone and add the 10 or can I use all the stones and now that I have a better strop that will help?

    Thanks for your time

    Tim

    • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (59)

      Charles-PhilippeFebruary 27, 2020 at 2:36 pm - Reply

      Hi Tim,

      I’ve had very similar experiences to you! I completely sympathise. Sometimes, when you use a much lower grain, you can make a simple mistake which throws the rest of the honing process completely off. With these rougher grains, just a little slip can have a huge impact on the honing quality.

      Try what you said and see if it helps. The 4/8 followed by the 10 might do the trick and set things straight again. Let me know how you get on and if you’re still having issues, we’ll see how we can sort it out together!

      Best,

      CP

  11. How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (60)

    Aaron W.April 3, 2020 at 12:35 pm - Reply

    I definitely appreciate this guide. I’ve been considering purchasing a straight razor and this guide has helped significantly. I’m definitely left with a big question: Due to just starting and the cost, I recently purchased a straight razor that uses disposable single edge blades. I’ve been using a double-edge safety razor now for some time and have been able to get a REALLY good shave that is completely without burn or discomfort (a serious accomplishment considering I have an extremely sensitive face and am now able to shave in the third pass against the grain).

    However, I’ve been curious about using a straight razor and I’ve used this new straight razor with disposable blades a few times and it’s been actually quite bad. I get burning and pulling.

    My question is basically if I would get better results with a true, non-disposable straight razor and getting it honed to the level you describe above (perhaps professionally). Is it possible that my problem is completely in my technique and these disposable razors should be sharp enough? Or can I get a much better shave from a real straight razor honed to perfection?

    • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (61)

      Charles-PhilippeApril 3, 2020 at 1:31 pm - Reply

      Hi Aaron,

      Thanks for your comments! Firstly, we cover this exact question here. It’s quite surprising but shavettes and straight razors offer very different experiences. Straight razors are much more forgiving and very gentle on the skin.

      Like you, I have very sensitive skin that burns easily. Shavettes are a nightmare, safety razors will do in a pinch, but I never have any issues with a properly sharpened straight razor. Like you said, I recommend that you get it professionally honed before you use it.

      All the best,

      CP

  12. How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (62)

    BarryMay 5, 2020 at 11:40 am - Reply

    Hi there. Thanks for the good information.
    Many guys insist on the necessity of setting a bevel with say a 1000 K stone before anything else. I accept that, but how do you know when you have achieved that ? I follow up with Norton 4000/8000 and a Japanese 12000 stone and a suede strop.
    . . . . Seems to me that if a stone licks up Sharpie marks on both sides of the cutting edge, then you are close to having a good bevel. Other guys use the thumb test. Either way, I can’t get a comfortable shave.
    . . . . Can you comment on using a Sharpie marker pen.

    . . . . . Barry

    • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (63)

      Charles-PhilippeMay 5, 2020 at 12:57 pm - Reply

      Hi Barry,

      Do you sharpen knives or know how to do so? A silly question but sometimes people who move from knives to razors apply too much pressure when honing, which dulls the blade. As for setting the bevel, a good way to know that you’ve finished is if you can use it to shave your leg hairs, which are coarser and less dense than arm hair, which is the usual test.

      The Sharpie pen is also a good indicator for the reasons that you said. There are other tests that you can use like the pin test or light test, which are quite handy for setting a bevel. This one by Jale is excellent.

      Finally, there’s absolutely no shame in looking for a professional in your area to help you. Feel free to ask around and if you do find somebody, ask if they can help train you too. Learning to hone with somebody in person makes a huge difference and takes a lot of trial and error out of it!

      Best,

      CP

  13. How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (64)

    Edwin AbbeyMay 11, 2020 at 5:51 pm - Reply

    Hey CP,
    Thanks for the great information.
    I’m looking at sharpening knives (kitchen, pocket, hunting) and also a straight razor. What setup would you recommend? Is it imperative to keep separate sets or just make sure a flattening stone is used prior to sharpening the straight razor? Are those $65 combo sets on Amazon that give you 400/1000, 4000/8000, a strop, flattening stone and paste just a disappointment (too good to be true) or are they ok for a beginner?

    Thanks,
    Edwin

    • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (65)

      Charles-PhilippeMay 12, 2020 at 2:32 am - Reply

      Hi Edwin,

      Happy to help!

      I would say that it’s probably fine as long as the flattening stone is used first like you said. I have a Japanese kitchen knife that makes visible changes in the stone’s shape everytime I use it. I could imagine that it would wreak havoc on a straight razor!

      As for the sets, I imagine that they’re okay. Worth a shot!

      Best,

      CP

      • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (66)

        Edwin AbbeyMay 12, 2020 at 8:24 am - Reply

        Thanks for the quick response, CP!

        Decisions, decisions, LOL. Maybe I’ll get one of those sets and an additional 12,000 finishing stone and maybe a better strop.

        • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (67)

          Charles-PhilippeMay 13, 2020 at 3:38 am - Reply

          Sounds good. Let us know how you get on!

  14. How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (68)

    DerrickJuly 10, 2020 at 12:21 am - Reply

    Is stropping as hard as it seems? It just seems SO easy to not only mess op the strop itself, but destroy the blade of a $200+ razor.

    I have been wanting to graduate from my junky $7 shavette to an actually high quality Straight Razor for a while now, and I know that stropping is necessary, but even after having read all this information, it seems like I’ll ruin my razor the first time I try it.

    But I also have a tendency to overthink, over-complicate, and panic when I really dont need to.

    • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (69)

      Charles-PhilippeJuly 10, 2020 at 3:13 am - Reply

      Hi Derrick,

      Honing is difficult and can damage a razor more easily. However, stropping is fine once you get the hang of it. You’ll never destroy the razor and it can always get fixed by a professional who can hone it to reset the cutting edge. So don’t worry!

      I started shaving with shavettes too and when I switched to an authentic straight razor, I never looked back. Shavettes are harsh and unforgiving. A straight razor sounds dangerous but is far easier to use!

      All the best,

      CP

      • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (70)

        DerrickJuly 10, 2020 at 4:23 am - Reply

        Thanks for the response. It’s nice to get a little bit of reassurance.

        Honestly, I would have never guessed that shavettes would be the more difficult option. It’s actually nice to know that my upgrade will really feel like an upgrade!

        • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (71)

          Charles-PhilippeJuly 10, 2020 at 9:12 am - Reply

          Yes, it’s an entirely different experience but that’s just my own personal opinion. I have sensitive skin so I find that straight razors are much more forgiving whereas I often cut myself or get razor bumps from a shavette!

          All the best,

          CP

  15. How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (72)

    FelicianoOctober 5, 2020 at 11:57 am - Reply

    Hi! Thank you for writing this article and guide. It has been very helpful. I started using my straight razor after not having used it for eight years. Even eight years ago I only used it about 8-10 times total. When I used it for the first time since then a couple days ago, it felt dull and gave me some cuts. (Can a straight razor simply left unused become dull?) The only way for me to have a professional sharpen it is to send it in mail and I am thinking it may be easier to simply purchase my own stones. I don’t think my razor was very expensive. Maybe less than $100. I see combination stones on amazon such as 400/1000 and 3000/8000 for around $60 total. Would these be good to purchase to sharpen the razor myself? Is there much difference between 3000 vs 4000 grit? Would it be okay if the highest grit I have is 8000 for now? I have also found a 5000/10000 grit for $40 (white corundum). All of them speak only of knives and not razors. Is that ok? I know I asked many question and I appreciate your time. Thank you so much.

  16. How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (73)

    Charles-PhilippeOctober 6, 2020 at 3:51 am - Reply

    Hi Feliciano,

    It is indeed possible for a cutting edge to soften when left unused as it’ll slightly oxidise. Usually, it won’t need a full hone and usually, an 8,000 or 10,000 grit should be enough to just readjust it. I would recommend using something like a coticule as shown in this guide.

    You could look at honing it yourself. However, if the high-grade grit doesn’t do the job, I would recommend mailing it to a professional. It’s best to gradually learn how to hone a razor rather than doing it entirely from scratch with a razor that may need a fair bit of work.

    All the best,

    CP

    • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (74)

      FelicianoOctober 6, 2020 at 2:47 pm - Reply

      Thank you so much! Just two quick questions, is there much difference between 3000 vs 4000 grit? Secondly, how does “white corundum” compare to Aluminium Oxide?

      • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (75)

        Charles-PhilippeOctober 7, 2020 at 1:42 am - Reply

        White Corundum is electrically fused aluminium and basically a synthetic alternative to aluminium oxide. As to how they compare, I’m not entirely sure, to be honest. There is going to be a difference between 3,000 and 4,000 grit. 3,000 is perhaps too aggressive unless you’re honing from scratch. 4,000 is better but it’s still going to be one of the lowest grits to use when *creating* rather than *adjusting* a cutting edge.

        If you’re going to just be adjusting the cutting edge because it tugs slightly, you might be better off trying a 5,000 grit first before moving onto anything lower.

        Best,

        CP

  17. How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (76)

    brianMarch 31, 2022 at 1:36 pm - Reply

    Getting started on using a straight edge. If I purchase a strop with a leather side and a canvas side do I need to purchase grit compound for the leather side?

    • How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (77)

      Mike RoseApril 5, 2022 at 2:38 pm - Reply

      No only the inside of the linen!!! If you only have one strap don’t waste it by putting a compound on it!!! The abrasive compounds are only for refreshing!!!!! That’s why we put it on the inside of our cotton/linen side, because we use the other side of the linen and leather for our regular stropping routine

  18. How To Sharpen A Straight Razor: Top 10 Best Stropping & Honing Tools For Cut-Throat Razors (78)

    brianApril 7, 2022 at 10:58 am - Reply

    Thank you for the clarification!

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