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Comment by kqr | Hacker News Reader

I switched to safety razors because the place where I used to get my straight razor sharpened stopped accepting orders from regular people.

If someone knows someone in Sweden who will do a good job of making my straight razor... well, razor sharp, I'm all ears.

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This is the stone I am currently using, 8k(3 micron) diamond. Made by sprinkling diamond dust on a steel block while electroplating the steel with nickel. The nickel holds the diamonds on pretty firmly so it lasts a long time if you do not abuse it. Cost about $80 https://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/8-Extra-Extra-Fine-Diamon...

In the past I have used fiber optic polishing film, it works and cost around $1 a sheet. It must be stuck to a very flat surface like a glass table or your bathroom mirror. You want something in the range of 1-10 micron.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/114106443536

I have a Hart steel straight razor and was never able to restore the edge myself using a 4k then 8k wet stone. I always had to send it off to someone in the UK, which made the whole thing untenable; maybe I should try this polishing film?

Very thin (~1mm) diamond stones are now available from China. Dirt cheap.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/123879373096

I think the trick with straight razors is to finish the blade with a denim strop with abrasive compound. I only have two stones, a 2k and a 5k. From there, I strop with a strip of denim that I put a little bit of automotive "swirl remover" (it's like car wax with a bit of abrasive in it, but the point is almost any kind of "polish" compound will work.)

This blog describes why denim works so well: https://scienceofsharp.com/2016/04/14/simple-straight-razor-...

That description makes it sound like it's very easy to make small mistakes that completely ruin the edge. I've just started sharpening my kitchen knives (since a couple of years back) and I'm not confident enough in my honing abilities to risk a razor. Maybe in ten years' time or so!

I sharpen my straight razor at home. Get a 3K, 5K, 8K and maybe a 12K naniwa superstone. Unless you massively damage your razor somehow, You would be good for life.

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