Honing DE Blades

My guess is the same as Lipripper660 above. They made them many years ago and called them hones. Here's an example of what you're replicating with a glass.

Is that yours Dave and if so what was it like to use, looks like a nice one?

Mom is 86 years old and remembers when men sharpen their blades on glass.

Cool Mom ! Not mine

I also used the inside of a Pyrex measuring cup, 2-cup version - more room for my fat cookie grabber.

b/r

R_B

I also used the inside of a Pyrex measuring cup, 2-cup version - more room for my fat cookie grabber.

b/r

R_B

 Fat cookie grabber, to funny.haha

The experiment continues. This morning I decided to try something a little different. I 'honed' a brand new Astra SP on the interior of my Pyrex glass measuring cup. I'm basing my hypothesis on my same opinion about the edge of a new knife. It may be sharp from the factory, but, with few exceptions, the edge can usually use a bit of 'finishing'. At least that's my opinion.

This morning's shave was my normal routine, hot shower, pre-shave cream and warm H2O in my Scuttle, etc, etc.. However, before I shaved, I 'honed' the new blade and was rewarded with an exceptional BBS shave! IDK if 'honing' took the 'wire-edge' off, or if it simply refined the edge like a sharpening steel? But there was a difference. I may incorporate 'DE blade honing into my ritual.

b/r

R_B

Yes, I realize I'm not creating a 'new' edge, but 'Straightening' the existing edge, like using a sharpening steel is an appropriate analogy. I've also tried stropping on my skin. That didn't seem to work that well.

I wonder if this would improve the performance of the blade if I did it before the first use?

b/r

R_B

Corking a new blade smooths, and set's up it's edges. That's why the 2nd shave on a new blade is usually better.

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I'm going to declare honing a DE blade on the inside of a glass container (like a Pyrex measuring cup) does in fact help prolong a usable edge on a used blade and, IMHO, helps refine the edge of a new blade prior to first use. This is all anecdotal, your mileage may vary, but I've convinced myself it's a viable technique. The most 'noticeable' change, to me at least, is achieved by honing before the 1st use. It seems to polish the edge for a Closer, more Comfortable Shave. I think it has something to do with removing the 'wire-edge' remaining from the manufacturing process?

Anyway, this is all kind of moot to me since I only use a blade for five shaves and toss it in the blade bank. If blades get ridiculously expensive i now have a method that will extend the use of a DE blade.

Thanks for playing along, feel free to add your own experiences using this, or a similar technique.

Note: it appears to help if you add a little H2O.

b/r

R_B

Back in the days of carbon steel blades, honing on a drinking glass, ceramic mug or custom made hone was common, especially in the first half of the 20th century due to shortages of steel during WWI and WWII and the intervening Worldwide Economic Depression. Carbon steel blades tended to rust easily and the honing would remove the corrosion, making the blade smoother and sharper. This extended their life.

After the invention of stainless steel blades, this honing became less necessary. There was a time when blades were only available in 5 or 10 blade tucks. They were purchased at the local pharmacy/chemist and were expensive in real currency value. Today, blades are mass produced all over the world and it is easy to purchase blades in bulk at relatively low prices. There are many good blades that can be purchased for less than 10 cents per blade. Is is worth the time, effort and potential safety concerns to extend the life of these blades for a few more shaves?

RayClem ...

"Is is worth the time, effort and potential safety concerns to extend the life of these blades for a few more shaves?"

IMHO, not at this time. I don't remember what I paid for the last 100ct pack of Astra SP blades, but based upon getting at least 5, 3-pass shaves, it's literally down to pennies per shave.

As I originally stated, this was an experiment to see if the 'technique' actually worked. For my own purposes I might 'hone' a new blade to eliminate whatever 'wire edge' still may be there after the manufacturing process. I think many of us have experienced the phenomenon of the 2nd or 3rd shave on a blade being 'better' than the 1st shave out of the wrapper. Its my opinion from that standpoint I think 'honing' is a viable technique.

b/r

R_B

Many blade manufacturers strictly caution against even wiping razor blades as that removes the coatings they apply. Honing the blade on glass or ceramic is more strenuous than wiping.  

I agree that some blades have such a thick coating that they are dull on the 1st shave, but very smooth. As the coating wears off, the blades become sharper, but less smooth. I tend to avoid those blades if possible.

Wilkinson Sword Classic blades from Germany go from somewhat dull to super sharp as the coating wears off. This can be a hazard to those not expecting it. You start out with a blade that will barely cut your beard to one that will draw blood. I have some, but rarely use them as I prefer blades that do not have this dramatic change. The Wilkinson Sword blades produced by Gillette do not seem to have this same extreme change in sharpness. The Gillette WS blades start mid-sharp and stay mid-sharp. 

Personna "Comfort Coated" lab blues go from mid sharp to very sharp as the coating wears off. Personna Platinum Chrome blades, whether from Israel or Germany, start very sharp and become slightly sharper. I prefer the Platinums.

Kai blades go from somewhat dull to mid sharp as the coating wears off. These blades might benefit from honing. They are expensive, so I choose less expensive blades that do not require this extra step.

Gillette Silver Steel blades start off mid sharp and become very sharp as the coating wears off. This may be why so many people like them.

Bic Chrome Platinum, Gillette Permasharp Super, and 7 O'Clock Super Platinum (black) blades start off very sharp and become super sharp as the coating wears off. While these are some of my favorite blades, many shavers despise them. If used in the wrong razor, they can draw blood once they become super sharp. If used in the right razor, they are wonderful.

At the other end of the performance curve are Feather Hi Stainless blades. They start out super sharp, but the edge deteriorates rapidly to become very sharp. However, in my experience the deterioration results in a harsh, toothy edge that irritates my sensitive skin. Perhaps honing the blades after it becomes harsh would improve the edge of these rather expensive blades. However, I choose to use less expensive blades that do not require this extra step.

You can still purchase carbon steel blades from Treet. They carry the Black Beauty brand. There are also some Super Tian Li Blue blades made in China that can be obtained direct from China. These blades tend to be on the somewhat dull side from what I have read, so honing might help their performance.