how do i sharpen my straight razor?

the myth of crystal sharpening is the same concept as steeling and it originates from an era when steel technology could not make a smooth steel for realigning the knife edge... A crystal is totally smooth and serves the same purpose.
 
Where the heck did the crystal idea come from!? Is someone on crystal meth? This thread scares me. The topic starter may want to rethink attempting a shave with a straight razor.

Seriously, you need a 4000 and 8000 grit water stone. Norton is a popular brand used by straight razor shavers. This is assuming the razor is in good condition. If it's way off you may need to start with a coarser grit. You will also need a good leather strop to maintain the edge after honing. Check out classicshaving.com and read everything they have there. You will find no mention of crystals as far as I know, unless someone uses one for a brush handle.
 
Sorry, had to do it. :)

crystal.jpg


Closest thing I had to a crystal. :)
 
Finally!!! Wade, saved me from adding my $0.02. Awesome picture :D!

Now my 2 cents anyway, repeating what Wade said: fine waterstones is the way to go. You can use a very good and fine Arcansas stone as well, but for one they are actually quite a bit more expensive and you are more likely to screw up your razor if you are inexperienced. The softness of the matrix of a waterstone will protect you from bad technique somewhat.

You stroke in pushing motion leading with the heel of the blade (the part that is close to the shank), meaning the blade is slightly angled to the direction of the pushing motion, with the razor flat on the stone in an x-pattern, rolling over the back of the blade when changing sides.

This is according to the "Standardized Textbook of Barbaring" published by the associated Master Barbers an Beauticians of America, fourth edition, 1950.
 
Hey mafiamouse,
I looked at the pic of your knife on eBay. While it has a straight razor style blade, it is a knife and is not a straight razor that is intended to be used as a shaver. I've seen trapper style slipjoint folders with this style of blade, too.
With a real str8 razor, you lay the blade flat on the stone when sharpening. The width of the spine gives just the right angle for sharpening the edge. With your eBay find, this may or may not work to give the best angle for the edge bevel. I suppose it would depend on how you want to use the knife. The narrower angle will give a really sharp edge, but will be a lot more delicate.
With that being said, I would sharpen it in the same way that you would sharpen any hollow ground knife.
Parry
 
I think you should just read the dates on every other post in this thread, from January of this year.

Why answer an 11 month old question?
 
ROTFL. This thread was funny. Can I convex my knife on a magic healing magnet?
 
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