First there were hones. The pyramid honing scheme being a prime example of a useful, albeit debated, use of a progression. The idea being that gradual progression achieved through switching back and forth between hones of similar coarseness will minimise the risk of overhoning and the challenge of finding the right moment to switch from one hone to the next.
Then there were strops. Declared 'The Most Important Part of Straight Razor Shaving!' by some, they actually really are. However, some other people have now come up with the concept of strop progressions. The rationale being that there are whatever strops, and finishing strops. My initial reaction was, 'what a lot of bollocks.' After some careful consideration, and - I am not ashamed of admitting that I am always game for trying out strange ideas - thorough testing, I would like to slightly rephrase that to, 'what a complete lot of utter bollocks.' The strops tested were an SRD Premium I and IV (that extra long IV is really, really nice), an Illinois 827 (nice leather, but what an absolutely tacky and flimsy feel in comparison), and an Old Traditional. Well, what can I say. These strops range in price from USD 29 to USD 120. And they all work. I tried a few others (ao a Kanayama 50k). They also worked. Whether or not I will ever like the webbed fabric on the SRD strops, I cannot quite say. But it works well.
Sometimes, we have to remind ourselves that straight razor shaving is not rocket science. And while honing razors to razor blade sharpness levels may be an interesting hobby for people so inclined (you know, I come from a country where people collect lawn gnomes, so I bring a high amount of tolerance towards fads), these edges should never be the benchmark. And, funnily enough, in most shaving forums they are not. It seems that in the US, a strange competition between people offering commercial honing services has developed. I feel this is wrong. It raises expectations with beginners that no razor can live up to, and it causes unnecessary doubt and distress for beginners.
- It. Is. Not. Rocket. Science.
- You. Do. Not. Need. Five. Hones.
I am currently trying shaving brush progressions. Interim results show that this concept is doomed to failure. Next on my list of stuff to blow to smithereens: Überlather or, why some things don't work, no matter how hard you polish them.
