Straight Razor Sharpening

[Thomas J Ekman]

Could you give me some tips here?

I have a Puma Straight Razor which I shave with regularly.

Initially, the razor performed excellently, just like Gillette Mach 3. I regularly maintain the edge with a Puma strop loaded with Puma stropping paste.

It all started when the razor began feeling dull, giving me cuts in the face. I tried a Black Hard Arkansas, which only made the matter worse. Then I tried a Translucent Arkansas, which did not do any substantial difference to the performance.

I have also the 204 and the additional ultrafine rods, which I have tried.



This weekend I bought a Mach 3 for comparison. The Mach 3 went effortlessly through the beard, but not my razor.



My technique:

Lay the razor flat on the stone, then do one stroke on one side, then one stroke on the other side, using very light

pressure. Repeat this for 10-20 times, never touching the stone with the edge first.

I then finish the process with the strop above.



I watched the video accompanying my 204, and wonder if you can give me some ideas as to what I am doing wrong.

Since I have used the 204 with very good results on my other knives, I turn to you.

Should I use the white rods, as in the video, or should I use the ultrafine rods, which were not available when the 204 and video was produced?



Is my technique correct? Maybe I'm not patient enough...



/Thomas



Thomas J Ekman

[Sword and Shield]

OK, first use the white stones as shown in the video. Then, when the whites have done all they can, move to ultrafine.

After the ultrafine, strop it down with a good strop. That should bring it to surgical keenness.

Keepin' it real...real sharp, that is.