Comment on Sunday SOTD Thread, January 25th, 2026 (#957)
gcgallant@sub.wetshaving.social 1 day agoYou can typically get about 30 - 40 shaves on a good edge on good steel, but you do have to adapt to the edge as it gets less keen. Stropping can work against you if you are using heavier pressure. It will round the edge. All that said, except for AA challenges, I find myself refreshing edges after 10 to 15 shaves. This is definitely excessive, but here at Hones-R-Us, I need to keep busy.
snooting@wetshav.ing 1 day ago
Interesting. I think I’ve been using light pressure – what would a rounded edge feel like while shaving?
I think I need to start by picking up a finishing stone so that I can try to touch up my own edges. I’d hate to have to send my razors out every 20-40 shaves for a full rehone… Though I guess that could help keep you busy! 😄
gcgallant@sub.wetshaving.social 1 day ago
Then you probably have been.
It is a very gradual change. It is an edge that feels smooth but is looses its ability to cut well. If the edge feels harsh, and it was not originally that way, then you likely have a breakdown of the edge at the apex. This would look very toothy on one of my microscope photos.
Another thing you can do is to take some worn, clean denim (cut from an old pair of jeans), stretch it over a 2x4 and apply a light amount of green chromium oxide paste. Then, about every 10 shaves, or so, do 20-30 stropping laps on this “loaded” strop. This will significantly extend the time between honings on your razors.